Clay tiles have a long history. Their use as a roofing material can be traced back to 10,000 B. C. China. As explorers expanded their territory, they infused new areas with their architectural styles. Terracotta tile became popular in the Mediterranean region. Today, terracotta roofs still evoke an Italian villa or a Spanish casa. However, modern homeowners are incorporating this type of roof into their personal style. You can transform the curb appeal of your home with an exterior paint job. If you have a terracotta roof and one of the following paint colors, your home will have a certain look.
Light, neutral walls make terracotta roofs pop. They’re ideal for houses with architectural accents throughout the facade. White walls allow you to make bold choices for door architecture and trim.
However, basic white paint can look too stark. Warm up the appearance by using off-white, ivory, oyster or ecru paint.
Shades of white are also consistent with Spanish Colonial architecture. Even if your walls aren’t made of stucco, you can get this look with different shades of white paint.
Terracotta roof tiles lend unique character and curb appeal to a home. Their rich, earthy tones and textured look simply can’t be matched If your house has a terracotta roof, you likely want to choose an exterior color scheme that highlights, rather than competes with, this eye-catching feature
But with so many potential colors to pick from, where do you start? Fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the most complementary paint colors for homes with terracotta roofs. Whether you prefer a trendy modern scheme or classic Tuscan vibe, you’ll find inspiration for creating exterior harmony.
Factors to Consider
Before diving into color palettes, let’s review a few key factors to keep in mind:
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Climate and setting – Consider your environment. Bright tropical colors suit warm climates, while subtler shades work in colder regions. Also think about neighboring houses and HOA rules.
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Architectural style – Play up your home’s existing architecture with fitting colors. For instance, Spanish mission-style homes look great in creamy whites.
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Roof color variations – Terracotta roof tiles vary from orangey-reds to deeper browns. Choose a scheme incorporating those tones.
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Accent features – Don’t overlook doors, shutters, trim, railings and other details. Accent colors can make your exterior really pop!
Soothing Neutrals
For a timeless, peaceful look, stick with neutral exterior colors in creamy off-whites, beiges and lightweight grays. These harmonize seamlessly with terracotta roofs.
Creamy Whites
Cream, ivory and straw-colored whites look airy and elegant against terracotta. Highlight moldings in a slightly darker white.
- Exude Tuscan, Italian countryside charm
- Classic choice for Spanish mission homes
- Crisp and refreshing color palette
Beiges and Tans
From warm sand to cooler clay, beiges complement terracotta’s orangey-red tones. Add ivory trim for contrast.
- Beiges reflect and blend with roof colors
- Provide an earthy, grounded look
- Works for Southwestern adobe-style homes
Light Grays
Soft gray is tranquil and refined. For depth, paint trim and accents a few shades darker.
- Cool grays balance the roof’s warmth
- Modern, sophisticated combination
- Inviting color for contemporary homes
Nature-Inspired Hues
Drawing from colors found in the natural landscape is a scenic way to choose exterior colors. These palettes feel organic and soothing.
Greens
Sage, seafoam and muted olive greens bring out terracotta’s earthiness. Use cream or white trim.
- Inviting, peaceful ambiance
- Reflect nearby foliage and greenery
- Ideal in wooded, lush settings
Blues
Pale sky blue, aqua and robin’s egg blue offer a serene watercolor effect. Use white trim.
- Crisp, cooling color scheme
- Perfect for homes near water
- Looks fresh and bright year-round
Purples
Light lilac, lavender and violet create a regal effect. Contrast with white trim and accents.
- Unique color rarely seen on exteriors
- Romantic, feminine ambiance
- Distinctive look for a creative home
Warm Modern Colors
Deeper, moodier hues like bronzy browns, slate grays and muted taupe offer sophisticated contemporary style.
Bronze and Brown
Bronze, copper and chocolate browns complement terracotta tiles’ orangey tones. Use metallic accents.
- Rich, upscale combination
- Flatters modern architecture
- Distinctive look, but not overpowering
Slate Gray
From cool stone gray to deep charcoal, slate gray exteriors feel sleek but welcoming. Use dark trim.
- Shows off contemporary lines and forms
- Grounded scheme with hefty curb appeal
- Use bright doors or landscaping as contrast
Muted Taupe
Warm mocha, greige and mushroom taupe hues blend new and old. Highlight with white trim.
- Blend of gray and brown for modern neutral
- Warm but more muted than beige
- Ideal balance for traditional homes
Vibrant Accent Colors
For homes in warm climates, go bold with tropical brights! Use vibrant paints to accent neutral exteriors.
- Energetic coral, melon and peach inject fun
- Turquoise, teal and cobalt blue for personality
- Vivid purple, violet and fuchsia make a statement
Keep the main facade neutral, and use bright colors on front doors, window boxes, shutters, railings and other details. The terracotta roof keeps the scheme grounded.
Finding Harmony
The terracotta roof is an automatic focal point, so choose exterior walls and accents that highlight, not overwhelm, those beautiful tiles. Cool, creamy neutrals and muted naturals create an elegant backdrop. For more modern homes, blend deeper, moodier hues for contemporary charm that still respects the roof’s starring role.
Trust your instincts, enjoy the creative process and have fun with envisioning the possibilities! With a thoughtful, cohesive color scheme, your home will impress with its curb appeal and showcase that fabulous terracotta roof you love.
Do Gray Walls Look Good With Terracotta Roofing?
Many people wonder if cool gray tones will look good with clay tiles because terracotta is such a warm color. Gray complements terracotta roofing surprisingly well. It’s a contemporary choice for homes that are made with non-stucco siding. It fuses multiple styles of architecture, creating a balanced effect. Gray homes with terracotta roofing retain that Mediterranean feel without mimicking an Italian villa.
Terracotta roofs look great with dark gray walls. Choose an exterior paint color with brown tones in it to pull the style together. This creates a cozy, intimate effect.
If you want to add brightness to your home’s curb appeal, use a lighter gray. This is also an ideal option in neighborhoods that have several houses with terracotta roofs. Most of those homes are likely to be light-colored, so light gray will blend in better than dark gray.
Blue Walls With a Terracotta Roof
Like gray, blue exterior paint adds a breezy, cool atmosphere to your home. It contrasts well with the orange roof and looks good whether it’s light or dark.
If the outside walls are the same color as or darker than the roof, paint the trim white to break up the darkness. A light blue house looks surprisingly modern with dark brown trim.
Also, if you choose blue walls (even light blue), there is a small chance that the rain will leave red marks on them. If you have gutters, this shouldn’t happen, but depending on the weather where you live, you might still get a few small spots.
What is the Best Roofing Color, Pairings & Most Popular
FAQ
What house color goes with a terracotta roof?
What color compliments terracotta?
What house color goes with an orange roof?
Should I paint my terracotta roof?
What color roof goes with a terra-cotta house?
Gray is another option; light grays intensify the roof color but merge easily with a block of white and terra-cotta homes. Deeper grays, such as gunmetal and thundercloud, provide a dramatic contrast with the roof but are moderate enough not to clash with it or overwhelm it.
What color paint goes with terra-cotta?
Contemporary stucco-finished homes are trending toward darker, duskier finishes. Paint colors such as dune, mushroom, sand and tan reflect the warm tones in terra-cotta. Gray is another option; light grays intensify the roof color but merge easily with a block of white and terra-cotta homes.
How do you paint a terra cotta roof?
Choose a contrasting trim color between the tile roof and the walls — terra cotta paint for cool colors, trim a few shades darker or lighter than a warm wall color. The terra-cotta roof tiles already cap your home with curb appeal and character. Your choice of house paint further defines the spirit of the people who live there.
What is a terracotta roof?
Clay tiles have a long history. Their use as a roofing material can be traced back to 10,000 B.C. China. As explorers expanded their territory, they infused new areas with their architectural styles. Terracotta tile became popular in the Mediterranean region. Today, terracotta roofs still evoke an Italian villa or a Spanish casa.
What colors can be used as terra cotta accent colors?
Yellow is yet another shade that can be used as terra cotta accent colors. This cheerful hue will liven and brighten up your space, giving your terracotta shade the playfulness it lacks. If you’re looking to accentuate your space and give it a chill, calm vibe, opt for one of the following shades:
How do you paint a stucco house with a terracotta roof?
Many stucco homes with terracotta roofs have tan or beige walls. Choosing darker neutrals creates a low-contrast facade that fits into any environment. Connect the rusty hues of the roof with the walls by selecting paint with pink or salmon undertones. This color palette looks complete when you match the trim to the wall color.