Craftsman style homes are known for their distinctive architectural features and attention to detail. They are often said to be charming because of their high-quality design that incorporates a classic aesthetic. A Craftsman home features rich character and a timeless quality, which can be further enhanced by the choice of a coordinating color scheme.

A Craftsman style home is an iconic design that has been around for years. The goal of this style is a functional design that has great attention to the quality of the workmanship. This design style became popular during the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1800s as a reaction against the ornate style of Victorian homes.

It favors clean lines and the use of natural materials and was historically used for small bungalows. Craftsman houses were historically made by using locally sourced materials. The style has evolved somewhat to larger homes and a variety of materials, while still emphasizing the use of natural ones. The exteriors of these homes usually have decorative elements such as columns, stone accents, and exposed beams.

The following architectural details are often found on Craftsman homes:

The roof style is important for this type of home. The exterior commonly has horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, and large covered front porches. The roof can also be gabled with truss details.

Craftsman homes often feature a deep front porch. The porch columns are usually wider at the base than the top, which further emphasizes the traditional nature of this design.

A Craftsman home often has wood framing with stone or stucco accents. The use of natural materials is found throughout the exterior of the home and interior of the home.

There is attention to even the smallest detail in this style of home. Craftsman-style homes offer intricate details in the façade, stucco, or shingles without being overdone. On the inside, elements such as built-in shelving and thick wood trim around the doors and windows are often seen.

Dormer windows are popular in Craftsman houses and some feature a single upstairs dormer with several windows with thick trim.

The understated elements on both the inside and outside give this style a classic look. In more recent years, this style has experienced a stylistic revival, with homeowners moving away from the traditional aesthetic and putting more customization into their homes. This is true with the color scheme for this style of home as well, with more options than ever for homeowners to choose from.

Craftsman homes should have an exterior paint palette that highlights their architectural details. At the same time, these homes often incorporate colors that are based in nature. Shades of brown, green, and taupe were commonly used in this type of home historically, but the color schemes have evolved and expanded with time. Shades that are seen in the fields or forest such as grays, tans, greens and coppery reds are used. However, some use more vibrant exterior color palettes to highlight architectural details. Oftentimes, the Craftsman palette has been called an autumn palette with warm natural tones to complement wood trim.

Craftsman style homes are also known for softer colors. When choosing the color scheme for your home, look for medium contrast colors rather than heavy dark colors unless you desire that effect. If you do choose a darker color, it should be offset with lighter colors for the trim, or wood or other natural materials details so that it does not look too austere. While the main body of a Craftsman home often has a dominant color, accents and details can be highlighted with contrasting colors. For instance, the front door, window frames, and decorative elements can be painted in a bold color like deep green, red, or blue to create an eye-catching focal point.

Homeowners today can find that they do not need to stick to the historic shades when choosing to paint their Craftsman home. There is really no right or wrong when it comes to the color scheme for this type of home. These colors can be mixed and matched in the siding, trim, front door, roof and porch furniture for an authentic look. When it comes to exterior color schemes for Craftsman style homes, there are several popular options that complement the style and highlight its unique characteristics. Here are a few of the most popular color schemes:

Generally, the three areas of a Craftsman exterior that need to be addressed when painting are the walls, trim, and the accent. The walls are sometimes referred to as the body of the house, which can be an earthy material like natural stone or brick. The trim is usually a contrasting color and includes the rafter tails, railings, cornices, eaves, and outlines of the window. Accents are the interior window frames, front door, and porch pillars.

The following 10 color schemes are the most popular when it comes to a Craftsman home.

1. Soft Sage and White. Inspired by nature, the color sage on the exterior of the home complements the surrounding landscape and outdoors. The soft color is warm and inviting yet modern and fresh. White or cream trim on the windows, columns, and front porch make those architectural details pop while still maintaining the softness of this color choice. White trim is a more modern choice while cream will provide a softer, more traditional look to the home. This color combination looks great with a charcoal gray roof.

2. Dark Blue. A dark, inky blue color for the siding or on the stucco makes the house stand out against the landscape. Navy is a classic blue color that will complement the timelessness of the home. Bright white trim on the windows, roof eaves, or porch gives a contrast against the dark body of the house while keeping the architectural details from getting lost among the bold color. Paired with a warm brown roof and brick accents, it is a timeless color combination that never goes out of style.

3. Natural Neutrals. Neutral colors allow for the details of this type of home to really shine. Different shades of beige and tan look great with an off-white or cream trim. For example, beige paint on stucco gives an opportunity for the trim to stand out. Foundation walls and window sashes can be painted a complementary earthy gray to further the connection to nature.

4. Green and Brown. Done right, this color combo does not look like something out of a 1970’s basement, but rather brings a feeling of earthiness to the home and truly brings forth the use of wood on the exterior of the home. Think a dark hunter green with a deep chestnut trim. For an accent color, an amber or orange front door. Earthy colors give a Craftsman home a grounded feel.

5. Light Blues. Perfect for a coastal Craftsman by the beach, a color palette that centers on shades of blue can be soft and welcoming. A robin’s egg blue color is a good choice for a homeowner that wants some color without being overwhelmed by it. It pairs well with other shades of blue or stark white. Another blue option is one that has gray undertones, complemented with warm wood finishes. Choose a charcoal colored roof for a house that is blue.

6. Iron Gray and Bright White. If you are after a more rustic feel for your Craftsman, iron gray siding with white trim and accents makes for a striking color combination. Wood accents or detailed stonework with this color palette give a rustic feel. Choose a wood front door as well to play into the rustic style.

7. Bold Sunset Colors. This color scheme has become an option in the last few years for this style of home. If you want your Craftsman to stand out, nothing does so like the bold colors of the sunset. A rich red on the home’s body with orange and yellow accents in the same tone gives the home a retro feel, and can highlight exterior woodwork on the home.

8. Gray and Orange. An unexpected color combination, but it works with the Craftsman style. A gray and orange color scheme is for the homeowner who wants to blend the tradition of this style with a current twist. A medium to dark gray and orange accents on the trim and front door give a home a whimsical feel.

9. Olive Green and Tan. This is a fully earthy palette. The subdued medium olive green for the body of the home gives it a rich base from which to use tan on the trim and columns. A darker green color can then be used for the windows and porch floor to tie in all the earth-tone colors.

10. Dark monochromatic. Dark as well as monochromatic are not traditional palettes for this style of home, but if you are looking for a modern take on the Craftsman-style home, black is a very current choice. The key is to also incorporate natural materials with the black color to keep the house looking more Craftsman than modern. When paired with natural wood beams, front door, and trim, the effect is modern, yet natural. Adding copper accents with the gutters or small roofs can really stand out against the black base of the home.

With so many different color combination options for the craftsman home, it can be difficult to decide which one suits your home best. Do you want to go bold or stick to a more traditional Craftsman color palette? Or do you have a color combination in mind that is not on this list? Dzinly.com can show you exactly what your house will look like with any color scheme you want to try, and our designers can help you narrow down the choices based on the architectural details of your home.