Should Shutters Be Lighter or Darker Than My Walls?

So, you’ve been shopping for window dressings, and you’ve landed on shutters. Excellent! Hopefully you’ve chosen your design and now all that’s left is choosing the best colour to compliment your décor. But do you opt for dark shutters or light shutters? Well, the good news is, there’s no wrong answer – it’s completely down to personal preference. Although perhaps that’s not the most helpful answer. So, let’s delve a little deeper…

We get asked this question a lot, and the answer is: Well, that depends. Some shutter colours for white walls work on dark walls, and other shutter colours for dark walls work on white. What truly matters is the look you're going for.

Need a shade that will blend with your light walls? Choose vivid white or cream. Looking for something to complement darker walls? Traffic and signal grey are sure to make an impact. Or, if you'd like something with a more natural feel, go for one of our wood stains.

Firstly, light shutters – or, more specifically, white shutters – are easily the most popular. Think about it: when you picture a shutter, what colour is it? White? Yes, we thought so. There’s a good reason for this: white goes with any colour. Whether your walls are white, black, red, purple, or sky-blue pink with polka dots, a set of lovely white shutters are sure to complement their surroundings.

Furthermore, if you have darker interior walls, a set of light shutters will serve as a juxtaposition for the warmer tones of your walls. This will make them a much more eye-catching proposition, highlighting a boldness and assurance of taste to your guests.

However, it’s also important to note that choosing a shutter to match the colour of your window recess can embiggen (Yes, that is a word. We looked it up.) a smaller window. And because most windows are surrounded by white trim, you may want to opt for one of our whites on your smaller windows.

Don’t forget about your exterior, either. If your house has a bright exterior, think about what effect you want to achieve. A set of dark shutters will greatly contrast your home, instantly drawing the eyes of passers-by to your windows. Conversely, light shutters will blend in seamlessly, causing the eyes to roam to other external features of your lovely home.

Here at California Shutters, we love a good set of dark shutters. Sure, they’re not as popular as their brighter counterparts, but there’s something to be said for a bold set of black or dark grey shutters. If your walls are set in white or cream, dark shutters will instantly become a central feature of any room they’re in.

You should think about how your shutters will look from the outside too. If, for example, your external walls are brick-coloured, dark shutters may look a bit more natural. Of course, we realise that bricks come in numerous colours and tones. Luckily, we have a wide range of darker colours and natural wood finishes for you to choose from.

We’ve been working with shutters for a long time. As such, we’ve chopped and changed our colour palette throughout the years to find the best combination to meet our customers’ needs, all while staying on top of the latest design trends. Our luxurious shutters are available in several different paint colours, natural wood stains, and lime wash finishes. Each finish comes with lighter and darker choices, so you’ll be sure to find the right hue for you. If you can’t decide between a couple of different shutter colours, not to worry. We’d be happy to send you some free samples.

No problem. We’re always happy to help. Whether you’ve already had a look at our DIY guides and still need a hand, or simply have a few questions about design, our friendly team are well versed in all things shutters. Send an email to [email protected] today and we’ll get back to you ASAP. We can’t wait to get you started on your shutter journey!