How to Choose Exterior Paint Colors That Complement Your Brick: Orange, Red & Brown

Not sure what color to paint your siding? Explore Sherwin-Williams paint colors that complement orange, red, and brown brick, plus tips for choosing shades that work with your home's existing materials.

Choosing Paint Colors for Brick Homes

You've found a paint color you love, but when you hold the sample up to your brick, something feels off. Sound familiar?

Choosing exterior paint colors can be tricky when your home already has brick, roofing, and other materials that aren't changing anytime soon. The secret is understanding your brick's undertones and choosing colors that complement them.

Brick is rarely just one color. Orange brick may have rusty or golden tones, red brick can lean burgundy or reddish-brown, and brown brick may contain caramel, chocolate, or charcoal undertones. Those subtle differences can influence how your siding color looks beside them.

The good news? You don't have to give up the colors you love. Here are five Sherwin-Williams colors to explore for each of these three brick types.

Orange Brick: Five Colors to Explore

Orange brick often has warm, rusty, golden, or terracotta undertones. Creamy whites and warm neutrals can complement that warmth, while muted greens offer a natural contrast.

Shoji White (SW 7042) — A soft, creamy white that creates a classic contrast without feeling too stark.

Balanced Beige (SW 7037) — A versatile neutral worth exploring if you want a softer transition between warm brick and siding.

Evergreen Fog (SW 9130) — A muted green-gray that brings an earthy, understated contrast to orange brick.

Retreat (SW 6207) — A deeper, subdued green for a richer, more grounded exterior.

Network Gray (SW 7073) — A cooler gray option for a more contemporary look. Test it carefully, as the contrast may emphasize the warmth of orange brick.

Red Brick: Five Colors to Explore

Red brick ranges from rusty red to deep burgundy and reddish-brown. The right siding color can soften the contrast, complement the brick's warmth, or introduce a fresh accent.

Shoji White (SW 7042) — A warm, soft white that creates a timeless contrast against red brick.

Accessible Beige (SW 7036) — A balanced neutral that can soften the transition between red brick and lighter siding.

Svelte Sage (SW 6164) — An earthy, muted green that creates a natural contrast with red tones.

Rainwashed (SW 6211) — A soft blue-green for homeowners who want a lighter, fresher contrast.

Peppercorn (SW 7674) — A deep gray that adds definition and creates a more dramatic look, especially when paired with lighter trim.

Brown Brick: Five Colors to Explore

Brown brick can lean golden, reddish, chocolate, or charcoal. Warm neutrals can complement its earthy tones, while greens and grays offer alternatives to the expected beige-and-brown palette.

Shoji White (SW 7042) — A soft white that brightens the exterior and creates contrast against darker brick.

Wool Skein (SW 6148) — A warm, earthy neutral worth exploring with golden or caramel-toned brick.

Green Earth (SW 7748) — A subdued green that complements the natural, earthy character of brown brick.

Pewter Green (SW 6208) — A deeper green-gray for a richer, more dramatic exterior.

Repose Gray (SW 7015) — A restrained gray option for a more understated look. Test it against the brick to ensure its undertones work with the existing materials.

Before You Choose Your Paint Color

These colors are starting points, not guaranteed matches for every brick home. Your roof, mortar, stone, lighting, and surrounding landscape can all affect how a paint color looks.

Before committing, test samples directly against your home's brick and view them in different lighting conditions. A color that looks neutral on a paint chip may reveal unexpected undertones once it's next to your home's existing materials.

And remember: you don't have to match your brick perfectly. Sometimes a little contrast is exactly what makes an exterior feel complete.

Have tan, pink, or gray brick instead? In Part 2 of our brick color series, we'll explore Sherwin-Williams colors worth considering for those brick tones, too.

Need help narrowing down your options? 360° Painting Wichita can help you explore exterior paint colors and find a palette that works with your home's existing materials. Contact our team to learn more about a color consultation.