If you own a white farmhouse, you know that it can serve as a blank canvas for creating a charming home exterior that fits your exact preferences. The options for customization are virtually endless, and while farmhouses may flaunt a timeless design, adding accents to the exterior can give them a more stylish look.
Using dark black shutters can add flare to your windows, making it easy to give your home a makeover without any major remodeling.
Contrasting black against bright white draws the eye to architectural elements and can give your home some serious curb appeal. If you want to upgrade your traditional farmhouse, black window shutters can help modernize the look. Read on to see how to use black accents to dramatically change your farmhouse’s exterior.
Read Also: White House, Black Window Designs
White Farmhouses with Black Accents
When paired with white, black accents make a bold statement without overpowering a home’s exterior. Black window shutters, all-black shingles, doors, garage doors, and architectural trim are all great ways to use black accents against a bright-white background.
Black shutters frame your windows, highlighting their shape and bringing symmetry to your home’s façade. They give a clean, cohesive look when every window has matching shutters in the same style and size, making your farmhouse more visually appealing.
For a unified aesthetic, paint your front door black. A black front door serves as a focal point for the house while pairing perfectly with bold black shutters. Tie the look together with other black functional exterior elements as well. Examples include a black mailbox, metal farmhouse roof, outdoor lighting, or exterior hardware. You can even accent your interior cabinet hardware to give your home a balanced look inside and out.
Materials for Black Shutters
There are several material options to choose from when installing black shutters for your farmhouse design:
You can paint wood shutters any color, making them a versatile design element. They have an authentic farmhouse look that pairs well with your existing home. However, wood requires more long-term maintenance than synthetic materials, so consider the upkeep before installing.
Vinyl is a durable and affordable option. Although it may not have the universal appeal of wood, it is a practical choice. PVC shutters are more fade-resistant than painted wood, making them more durable.
Fiberglass mimics the look of real wood with less maintenance, bringing the best of both worlds. It resists moisture, rot, and insect damage better than wood. It is a product for homeowners who want a more classic look with minimal maintenance.
Lightweight aluminum is the most durable option among shutter materials. Aluminum shutters will not warp, crack, or peel. Their look is not quite as natural as wood, but they last many years, making them perfect for homeowners who want to perform minimal renovations over the years.
Consider your home’s architectural style when selecting materials. For traditional farmhouse aesthetics, wood or fiberglass shutters complement the home best. Vinyl and aluminum have a more contemporary appearance but are less maintenance.
Popular Black Shutter Styles
When choosing the style of black shutters that’s right for you, your choice will depend on your home’s architecture and personal taste. Here are some of the most popular options that pair beautifully with white farmhouses:
Louvered shutters are the most common choice for many homes and windows. Their angled slats have a timeless look that’s well-suited for traditional homes, making them perfect for farmhouse designs. Louvered shutters come in narrow and wide formats to properly fit various window sizes, so they’re also a versatile choice.
Raised panel shutters add depth with their center panel design. They have a formal, elegant aesthetic for a touch of sophistication, but they may not be right for every home situation.
Board and batten shutters feature vertical boards covering most of the surface, with two horizontal battens across the middle. These shutters have clean lines and a minimalist style that can add to the symmetry of your rustic home.
For a unique accent, try shutter highlights like border shutters that only frame the window edges or shutter dog accents on windows without actual shutters. These can help add some flare to your windows without any major renovation.
Design Details that Complement Black Shutters
Black window shutters make the biggest impact on your home when they complement other exterior details. Here are some design ideas that work well with bold black accents on a white house:
As previously mentioned, a black front door brings continuity to the black shutters and frames your home’s entryway for a bold design.
Off-white, light gray, beige, and tan façades allow black accents to stand out. Avoid any competing colors.
For a cohesive look, match the house numbers and garage door trim with your black shutters.
Try black finishes for exterior fixtures like sconces, lanterns, and pathway lighting. Brass and other metals can also coordinate with existing accents.
Use black decorative dormers, gutters, vents, and metal panels for a bold, minimalist look.
Doorknobs, handles, railings, and exterior hardware should all coordinate with other black trim on the house.
Tying exterior materials together can help create a more harmonious look. The most successful black-and-white color schemes highlight bold black elements using neutral backgrounds.
Modern Farmhouses with Black Shutters
Here are some examples of stylish white modern farmhouses featuring statement-making black window shutters:
This home pairs classic black shutters with neutral red brick. The dark shutters contrast beautifully with crisp white siding, while the red brick on the bottom half of the exterior adds warmth and texture to the home.
With bright white siding and trim, the black window elements on this home bring attention to the pristine exterior. Wide front shutters make a dramatic statement, while the black front door matches the bold black accents.
On this off-white façade, black louvered shutters draw the eye to each window. The black front door mirrors the shutters, and the muted color scheme focuses on clean lines and symmetrical details.
This home uses black on the windows, front door, garage door, porch railings, and other exterior elements for a cohesive monochromatic look. This intense matching approach gives a contemporary edge to traditional farmhouse architecture.
This charming cottage uses bold black shutters as the home’s focal point to balance its small-scale façade. The shutters add some flare to the exterior, while the all-white color scheme keeps the look light and airy. As a finishing touch, its bright red front door adds a fun pop of contrasting color.
So, Are Black Shutters Right for White Farmhouses?
While they may not be right for every homeowner, black shutters can drastically transform the look of your farmhouse design. They work to break up the all-white exterior with eye-catching contrast and give homes a more modern, stylish appearance.
Black window shutters complement classic farmhouse designs but can also work for more contemporary homes. When installed correctly, shutters frame your windows, highlight the architecture of your home, and bring cohesion to the exterior color scheme, making them an easy way to give your home a new look.
Along with exterior updates like new siding or paint, black shutters signal that a dated house is getting a facelift. Black is a versatile neutral that pairs well with white, gray, tan, red brick, and other common exterior materials so that black shutters can work for almost any home. Match black shutters with a black front door or other accents for a pulled-together look.
Overall, black shutters give classic farmhouse designs a bold yet charming update. They keep the exterior interesting without overwhelming the home’s traditional features.
If you want more ways to spruce up your home, paint your window frames black. The color gives a sleeker finish to your curb appearance and gives your farmhouse a contemporary look. For more inspiration and guidance on this style, check out our Contemporary Black Farmhouse Window Inspiration.
If you’re interested, we also recommend our article highlighting various modern farmhouses showcasing white windows.
FAQs About Black Shutters on White Houses
Are black shutters still in style?
Black window shutters remain a popular design choice because they are timeless and versatile. In a way, black shutters never go out of style.
Do black shutters add value?
Black shutters usually add value. Black shutters with clean lines give homes a sophisticated, updated look that appeals to modern buyers.
Should I get faux wood or real wood shutters?
It depends on your goals. Faux wood composites like vinyl, PVC, and aluminum are virtually maintenance-free. Real wood has a natural appearance but requires refinishing over time to keep it looking pristine. When buying, consider your preferences and weigh durability against authenticity.
Can you put shutters on vinyl siding?
Yes, it is possible to install shutters on vinyl siding homes. Be sure to use siding-mounted shutters for the easiest and most secure installation. Also, make sure your shutters are proportional to the windows in your home. Oversized shutters can seem overwhelming on plain vinyl façades, so consider buying smaller shutters.
What color trim goes best with black shutters?
White or off-white colors complement black shutters for window trim because of the high contrast. Other neutral trims, such as tan, gray, cream, or beige, also coordinate with black. Avoid bright accent colors. They often take attention away from the shutters or turn into an eyesore.
