Home Design & Decorating Design Styles

24 Classic White Houses With Black Trim Ideas You Have to Try

By
Maria Sabella
Maria Sabella
Maria Sabella

Maria Sabella is an E-Design consultant and has spent the last six years working in the interior design and staging industries, as well as writing digital content focused on home-related topics.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/31/24
White house with black trim and striped black and white window awnings.

Calimia Home

A white exterior paired with black trim is a classic look that will never go out of fashion. This versatile color scheme can work with any architectural style, whether it's a Colonial home or a modern rancher.

The timeless combination is also the perfect neutral backdrop for seasonal decor and other colorful accents throughout the year. If your home's curb appeal could use a boost, gain inspiration from these white houses with black trim that make a sophisticated statement.

  • 01 of 24

    Striped Window Awnings

    White house with black trim and black and white striped awnings

    Calimia Home

    Add charm and continue the black and white exterior aesthetic by installing window awnings. A clean and classic striped pattern on the awnings instantly elevates this home, echoing the modern lines of the floor-to-ceiling windows. It also breaks up the large portions of the white exterior with its design.

  • 02 of 24

    Black Shutters

    Oversized black shutters on white house

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Create contrast and highlight an oversized window with black shutters. Bring in an extra layer of visual interest with a raised x-design on the shutters and tie in the black paint color through other exterior trim details.

  • 03 of 24

    Wood Accents

    White house with black windows and wooden doors and wall accents

    Kate Marker Interiors

    If you want to warm up the exterior without introducing a new color, go with a wooden front door. It'll stand out and be an instant focal point while warming up the facade.

  • 04 of 24

    Contrasting Front Door

    White house with black trim and a pink front door

    White Sands Design & Build

    Introduce a third color to a white house with black trim. A front door provides the perfect opportunity for an unexpected pop of color and a whimsical statement. Here, a soft pink door lightens the exterior and gives it a playful and inviting feel.

    What is the best shade of white to paint a house?

    The best shade of white depends on the style of your home and the look you want to create. Choose a bright white with cool undertones for a contemporary home, or a creamier off-white with warmer undertones for a softer look on a period home. 

    Continue to 5 of 24 below
  • 05 of 24

    Black Framed Glass Door

    Patio with black and white furniture and a black and white house exterior

    Calimia Home

    Extend the black-and-white palette to your outdoor furniture for a cohesive design. Opt for a black patio dining set with white cushions to echo the white exterior paint and black trim around a glass door.

  • 06 of 24

    Brick Accents

    Brick house painted white with black windows, door, and hardware and brick accents

    Mary Patton Design

    Update a brick exterior with a coat of bright white paint for a relatively quick and inexpensive makeover that makes a huge impact. Go a step further by painting all trim black and completing the elegant color theme with a black mailbox, house numbers, and wall sconces.

  • 07 of 24

    Black Pergola and Fencing

    Black pergola and fence with a white house behind it

    Calimia Home

    To intentionally integrate a patio or deck with your black and white house exterior, paint or stain your fencing and pergola dark. This will visually expand the area and help tie the whole outdoor space together.

  • 08 of 24

    Black Window and Door Trim

    White brick house with black windows

    Mary Patton Design

    Whenever you use a limited color palette, turn to other design elements to add layers of interest and variety. Installing windows that have contrasting shapes is one way to approach this trick on a home exterior—pair classic windows with arched French doors to change up the look without introducing a new trim color.

    Continue to 9 of 24 below
  • 09 of 24

    Black Panes With White Trim

    Brick home with white wood work and black trim

    White Sands Design & Build

    For a home that includes a mix of red and limewashed brick or painted white wood siding, pair white window trim with black pane windows to modernize the look.

  • 10 of 24

    Black Roof Trim

    Black and white house with a flat roof and black gate

    Michelle Boudreau Design

    Black trim provides an excellent way to emphasize a cool design element such as a flat roof. Follow the shape of the roof with the dark paint color and repeat it through the window trim, front door, or gate for an integrated design.

  • 11 of 24

    Black Sconces

    White house exterior with wood details and black windows and black sconces

    Whittney Parkinson Design

    In addition to providing light, outdoor wall sconces are a beautiful way to add a decorative touch. Highlight the black-and-white exterior theme with black sconces that pop against white siding or shingles for a sophisticated statement.

    Should my garage door match the house or the trim?

    If you want to de-emphasize your garage door, paint it the same color as the house and/or trim. Turn it into an accent by painting it in another shade, or choose a natural wood door to add warmth.


  • 12 of 24

    Spanish Style

    White house exterior with black windows and railing and dogs in the yard

    White Sands Design & Build

    Use thin black window trim to modernize a white Spanish-style home. If you want to add a little extra character, use decorative details such as patterned tile on the steps, a unique curved stair railing, or colorful flower pots that infuse the space with charm and personality.

    Continue to 13 of 24 below
  • 13 of 24

    Terracotta Roof Shingles

    Modern rustic house with white exterior, shingled roof, and black trim

    Kendall Wilkinson Design

    A white house with black trim is incredibly versatile and offers a blank canvas for a number of design styles. Create a rustic aesthetic with clay roof shingles that will instantly warm up the exterior and give it a more relaxed appearance.

  • 14 of 24

    Black Front Door

    White house exterior with a black front door

    Calimia Home

    A black front door makes a classic statement and is the perfect pairing for a white-painted exterior. It's a neutral backdrop for holiday decor throughout the seasons, pairs well with any color hardware, and is timeless, so you don't have to worry about it looking outdated in a couple of years.

  • 15 of 24

    Contrasting Greenery

    Backyard with pool and white house exterior with black trim and arched details

    Calimia Home

    Lush greenery will instantly liven up a black and white exterior. Juxtapose a crisp and modern monochrome color scheme with the organic beauty of nature, whether it's through in-ground greenery or potted plants by the front door.

  • 16 of 24

    Paired With Stone

    House with warm white exterior, black windows and pillars, shingle roof and stone accents

    Whittney Parkinson Design

    Add dimension to a white house layered with black trim using natural materials such as stone. Its irregular texture and colors soften the black and white paint and provide visual contrast. Repeat the use of stone throughout the exterior for an intentional and even design.

    Continue to 17 of 24 below
  • 17 of 24

    Arched Windows and Doors

    White house with arched entry leading to a black front door

    Mary Patton Design

    An arched door or window instantly elevates an exterior and gives it a more custom, less builder-grade, look. Highlight black trim with arched shapes and echo the spherical design through other structural elements such as a doorway and decorative features in a wall sconce.

  • 18 of 24

    Black French Doors

    Modern white house with black trim and a pool and tall palm tree in the backyard

    Michelle Boudreau Design

    Invite as much natural light into your home as you can through oversized floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors. Lighten the weight of a white concrete structure with black trim through large glass windows that will create a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

  • 19 of 24

    Charcoal Black Trim

    White house with black trim and greenery around

    Maite Granda

    A symmetrical entrance sets a visually pleasing scene and a classic design. Flank a charcoal black front door with identical sconces on each side and continue the symmetrical look through potted and in-ground greenery surrounding the entrance.

  • 20 of 24

    Black-and-White Tile

    White house exterior with black trim and tile details and a pool

    Michelle Boudreau Design

    Break up solid surfaces on a white house exterior through not just black trim, but patterned tile. Whether it's a patio wall or flooring, opt for graphic black-and-white tile that will tie in the dual color scheme while introducing small scale patterns. This will modernize your outdoor space and give it a custom feel while still feeling fully incorporated.

    Continue to 21 of 24 below
  • 21 of 24

    Black Porch Floor and Steps

    White house with black door and black painted porch and stairs

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Create contrast and dimension by painting the porch floor and steps black, echoing the black trim on your white house. It'll make the space look crisp and modern, while setting a neutral base for a fun vintage-style door mat and tall planters to fill with seasonal plants.

  • 22 of 24

    Gray Roof

    White house with black trim and stone details around the bottom

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Stick with a cool color palette and opt for a gray roof on your white house. Although it's not black like the trim, it'll still add some softness and contrast while tying in the dark color. To give a nod to the roof, use gray stone or pavers to create a walkway to the house.

  • 23 of 24

    Dark Gray Variation

    White house with arched black front door

    Kate Marker Interiors

    A white house with dark gray trim is a softer take that lends itself perfectly to a classic exterior design. Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication, so keep it uncluttered by sticking with clean lines, repeating details, and using timeless materials.

  • 24 of 24

    Brownish-Black Trim

    Modern white house exterior with black trim and grass pavers

    Maite Granda

    There are a number of architectural styles you can look to for inspiration for a white house with black trim. They range from Colonial homes to one-level midcentury modern houses and everything in between. Consider using a brownish-black shade rather than stark black if it complements the style of your home.

70 Welcoming Exterior Paint Color Ideas