What Color Should I Paint My Shed?

You may not give much thought to that garden shed in your yard, but you should! Whether you’ve just built a shed or have one that could use some attention, there’s no reason why a shed can’t look as good as your home does. If you’re thinking of giving your shed an overhaul, you’ve probably wondered, “What color should I paint my shed?” Luckily for you, I’m here to offer some insight. 

The shed in my backyard is brand new, but I haven’t gotten around to painting it yet. And so, I decided to find out how to choose paint colors for a shed that will suit your home, backyard, and personal taste. 

In general, a great rule of thumb when choosing what color to paint your shed is to go with a lighter, more neutral color for the base, and a darker accent color to make the door and window trim stand out. 

We’re going to discuss options for more neutral, nature-inspired shed colors, but I’ll also offer advice for those of you who want an adventurous and boldly colored shed. Choosing a shed color comes down to personal preference, but there are certainly a few tips to keep in mind before starting the process.

Should I Paint My Shed?

If you’ve just had a shed built and are wondering if you should even bother painting the raw wood, the answer is yes. Although one main reason for painting your shed has to do with the aesthetic look, the paint will also protect the wood from the weather. 

While there are practical reasons for painting your shed’s exterior, there are some practical (and aesthetic) reasons for painting the interior, too. A coat of paint will help preserve your shed for quite some time. 

Garden Shed Paint Color Ideas 

There isn’t just one answer when it comes to choosing a color palette for your shed. That’s why it’s important to explore the options, so you can choose an idea that’s right for you. 

Neutral Colors 

If you’d prefer your shed blend in with its surroundings, a neutral color palette is the way to go. Neutral-colored sheds will also complement your landscaping, which is probably what you want the focal point of your yard to be. 

Pale colors that you might find in nature including gray, muted green, and soft blue are all excellent options. Another benefit to painting your shed a neutral color is that you likely won’t get sick of it any time soon. 

Bold Colors 

If you love color and want your shed to act as a focal point, by all means, choose a bold color! If echinacea is your favorite plant growing in your garden, maybe you’ll want to choose a pink-purple color to reflect that. Picking a color that complements some bright flowers growing in your garden is a great way to ensure you don’t grow tired of that paint color quickly. 

On the other hand, if you have a favorite color that you’ve always loved, go ahead and choose it! Canary yellow, lime green, and turquoise can all make for awesome shed colors in their own, unique way. 

Statement Colors 

While we’re on the topic of bold colors, we should talk about statement colors. Many people have one main color that they’ll use throughout their yard for patio furniture, outdoor pillows, planters, and more. One of my good friends has splashes of red throughout her outdoor spaces, and it truly does look great. 

Painting your shed with a statement color that you’ve already used throughout your yard is another great option. Sticking with a statement color is a great way to tie the different areas of your yard together. 

Subdued Colors 

Of course, there are also multiple benefits to choosing a subdued color to paint your shed with. For starters, subdued colors tend to weather a little better, as over time, a brighter color will begin to fade more obviously. Choosing a subdued color tends to give off a more classic vibe, which may mean you’re less likely to grow tired of it. 

White sheds are quite trendy at the moment, and they look sharp. If you choose to paint your shed white, remember that dirt and leaves are going to be more visible, so you may have to hose down the exterior from time to time. 

Color Combinations And Accent Tips 

When choosing paint for your shed, it’s best to pick the main base color and a complementary color for accent areas. Picking two colors is a great way to make your shed look finished and like a great deal of thought has gone into it. 

You can’t go wrong with a lighter, more neutral color for the base, and a darker, complementary color for the shed’s door, window trim, and any other accent areas. For example, you could choose a taupe for the main body color, and a slate gray for the accent color.

If you’re looking to go with a brighter, more bold color palette as opposed to a neutral one, choosing two contrasting colors is also an option. Contrasting colors are opposite one another on the standard color wheel, and so they are naturally complementary. The options are endless when it comes to choosing a scheme – make sure you choose two colors that look good next to one another and aren’t too similar in color. 

Does My Shed Need to Match My House? 

Ah, the age-old question: Should the color of your shed match the color of your house? Not necessarily. Again, the answer to this question is based on personal preference, but we’ll explore a few different scenarios. 

Let’s say you have a house with white siding and navy blue shutters. This is a super classic look, and chances are, it will also look great when applied to a shed. If you want everything to look consistent and flow from the front of your yard to the back, matching the main colors of your home’s exterior to your shed is probably the best choice. 

Now, let’s say you have a red brick house with black windows and trim. Because this is a more modern look, it may look a little odd if you painted your shed a terracotta color with black as the accent. If you don’t want things to look so matchy-matchy, you could choose a more neutral base color, but stick with the black as an accent. That way, you’re taking an element from your home and applying it to the look of your shed, without trying to match the two perfectly. 

And of course, if you want your shed to be completely different from the color and look of your home, that’s great! Just remember the tips mentioned above about choosing a nature-inspired color palette that perhaps picks up on some features of your yard. 

What Color Should I Paint My Shed?

You want your shed to reflect both your taste and outdoor spaces. Firstly, consider whether you want your shed to blend in or stand out. If you want it to blend in with your landscaping and yard, it’s best to choose neutral, nature-inspired colors that flow seamlessly with the outdoors. 

If you love bright colors and would never shy away from them, a bold or statement base color is right for you. When it comes to picking an accent color, remember the tip about contrasting hues. For example, blue and orange are opposite one another on the color wheel, so a denim blue base and a burnt orange accent color would look excellent together. 

If you love a traditional feel, matching the colors of your home to the colors of your shed is probably going to look stellar. But if you’d rather not match whatsoever, there’s nothing wrong with that! Whatever you choose, be sure it’s not a color combination you see yourself growing tired of quickly. 

Conclusion

Remember, your shed is an important part of your outdoor space, and it deserves some attention (in the form of a new paint job)! Hopefully, this information has helped you to narrow down your options and set you up for picking a great color combination. 

If you’ve had success painting your shed, let us know what colors you chose and why in the comments below! If you found these tips and tricks informative, don’t forget to share this article with your friends, family, and fellow DIY enthusiasts.