The quick answer is that neutrals and earth tones look striking with a red roof. You might choose colors like:
- White
- Grey
- Beige
- Sand
- Tan
- Shades of brown
- Muted Yellow
The first thing people see when they approach your house is the exterior colors.
You want a roof and siding that suit your style and complement other houses in the neighborhood. Therefore, you might be wondering what color to paint a house with a red roof.
Read on to learn about the best paint colors for homes with red roofs, a few colors to avoid, and a few things to consider.
The Best Paint Colors for a Red Roof
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If you picked a red roof for your house, the neutral colors mentioned in the quick answer might not float your boat. You might want something more striking.
Never fear—there’s nothing that says you should restrict yourself to the previously mentioned shades. You might feel more drawn to colors like celadon and rich shades of brown and blue.
Neutrals
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White goes with anything, and though it’s a neutral shade, it looks so crisp and clean that you’ll love how it looks with your red roof. A white house with a red roof is classic, but it doesn’t have to be boring.
Compare the different shades of white with your red roof to see what undertones work best together. Grey is a neutral color, though it’s anything but bland.
There are different shades of grey with undertones that can enrich your home’s aesthetic. You can choose a cool grey with blue undertones to give a bit of contrast to the red roof.
A warm grey will have red undertones that will pop against your roof. Beige and sand colors are great neutral tones that contain more colors than white or grey.
You can choose from shades that are very light or those that almost veer toward earth tones. If you choose these colors, you’ll have a whole spectrum of accent colors available.
Earth Tones
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Since red is a warm color, it pairs well with earth tones that are rich and warm themselves.
Whether painted or natural, tan bricks can look amazing with a red roof, though you also need to consider the difference in texture of the brick walls compared to the tile roof.
Shades of brown give your home an earthy look, whether you’re painting bricks, siding, or wood.
Like with grey, you can choose brown paint with various undertones. Warm browns have a red, orange, or pink tint. Cool browns have a hint of blue that looks great with the red roof.
Muted Yellow
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Pairing yellow with red might seem like the colors clash, but the effect is entirely different when you use a muted yellow. The muted yellow is closer to a neutral color, but the yellow undertones look rich next to the red roof.
This color works exceptionally well if you have natural wood trim or accents in your home.
Brown doors and windows also tie together a muted yellow house with a red roof. The earth tones neutralize the muted yellow, so it doesn’t appear as vivid as you might think.
If you’re aiming for a strong look, however, a bright yellow pairs nicely with red. They are both primary colors and create a cheerful exterior. Add in lush green landscaping, and you have a colorful cottage on your hands.
Celadon
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You’ve learned all about the more subdued end of the spectrum, but perhaps you want to make a statement with your house.
Celadon is a pale green with a blue undertone, making it look fantastic next to your red roof. The color got its name from a glaze developed in China during the 10th century.
The glaze can range from transparent green to more jade, so you have a range of shades to pick from for your house. Complementary colors are usually in the blue family, so pairing celadon with a red roof is a bold move.
Blue Hues
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Just as red is a primary color, so is blue. Pairing the two is a striking look, but you can also choose from different shades of blue to downplay the dramatic.
Denim blue has a more grey hue than bright blue, so it pairs nicely with a red roof. Pale blue also looks great because it adds color without overpowering the red roof.
Even dark blues can seem striking next to a vibrant roof. Keep in mind that dark colors appear lighter outside, so test an area to ensure the blue is as rich as you’d like it to be.
If you choose a dark blue exterior paint to go with your red roof, consider contrasting the overall look with light trim. White or neutral paint color for trim and accents will enhance your house paint color and the red roof.
Things to Consider
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When paint samples surround you, you might feel too overwhelmed to make the right choice.
These tips will help you approach your paint color choice in different ways.
- It’s essential to put some distance between yourself and the paint color you’re choosing—literally. Stand on the curb or across the street and look at your house from a distance. Think about what color would best work with your red roof if you lived across the street or were just passing by.
- Play with different tones to see what color family goes best with your red roof. Warm tones are colors like orange, brown, yellow, beige, and red. Cool tones are blue and purple. You might like how warm tones complement the red roof, or you might prefer the contrast of a cool tone.
- Think about the style of your house: is it classic or dramatic? A classic look calls for more subtle colors, so you’ll want to stick with muted house colors and let your red roof shine. If you want to be dramatic, a cool tone like vibrant blue will make a bold statement.
- Look beyond your red roof and think about the trim or other accent work on your home. Having bold trim and a red roof might convince you to choose a neutral paint color for the house itself. Or you might prefer to match the trim and paint colors and let your red roof steal the show.
- Take your front of house landscaping into consideration, too. If you have bright flowers or bushes in your yard, you might want to let that natural beauty, as well as your red roof, demand attention. Having a neutral backdrop will ensure your landscaping brightens up the front of your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You have many different options for house colors that look great with a red roof.
In case you’re still unsure about your choice, read these frequently asked questions for more clarity.
Is red a good color for a roof?
Red terracotta tiles give your house a unique look. They go well with different house colors and can complement a variety of sidings and finishes. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, red roof tiles are very durable. They’re made of clay that helps them last as long as 100 years.
If you’re not sold on terracotta, you can get tiles that are similar to clay in terms of stability and duration. Molded concrete, slate, and fired clay roof tiles are highly recommended—and you can get them in red!
Should you match or contrast your roof and house?
The general rule of thumb is that you should use contrasting colors for your roof and house. If you have a dark roof, choose a light paint or siding color. If you have a light roof, choose a darker shade for your house.
With this in mind, you have a lot of freedom in terms of specific colors. As you discovered, with a red roof, many different shades look great with such a vibrant roof.
While it’s possible to match your roof and house, that style works best with neutral colors. Matching your home to your red roof would be too over-the-top, and you might find yourself living in the neighborhood eyesore.
Should your gutters match your roof?
The decision about gutter color comes down to your personal preference. Some people like to have their gutters blend into the roof. Other people prefer to match gutters to their house trim. You could even choose to match gutters to your siding.
Choosing a gutter color greatly depends on the placement of the gutters. If they’re installed along the edge of your roof, you might want red ones. If they’re low enough to blend into the trim or other accents, you might choose to make them that same color.
Keep in mind that gutters are utilitarian. While they’re visible on the outside of your house, they shouldn’t demand extra attention. If you have a show-stopping red roof, you don’t want your gutters detracting from your overall style.
So, What Color Paint Goes With a Red Roof?
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There are plenty of colors to choose from when you’re painting a house with a red roof. You can downplay the house itself by using neutral and light paints.
If you want your home to make a statement, picking a bold, vibrant color will further highlight your red roof. You can’t go wrong with any of the paint colors mentioned in this article.