A bold, dramatic trend is sweeping across the nation with homeowners embracing the power of a modern black home exterior, from paint and black cladding to industrial style entrance doors.

This sophisticated monochrome palette could completely transform your property with a contemporary and often luxurious feel. But is it a good idea to paint a house black? And do you need planning permission to put black cladding on your house? Find out all the details before you move over to the dark side…

Is black a good exterior house colour?

The move towards black exteriors is more than just a passing fad; it’s a conscious design choice driven by a desire for a distinctive and wow-worthy architectural statement. A well-chosen black creates depth, sophistication and a moody aesthetic that works surprisingly well with the unpredictable British weather.

Homeowners and designers are opting for various shades of black, from deep charcoals to pure ebony. Another option is to choose a black with warmer undertones (hints of brown or red) to prevent the colour from appearing too cold in natural light. This attention to tone is crucial, as natural daylight can make colours appear cooler than they are.

Why do people paint their houses black?

Unexpected and perhaps slightly rebellious, a modern black home exterior helps a property stand out. It emphasises architectural lines and creates powerful visual impact. And when paired with contrasting tones of white and cream (or natural materials such as oak doors, exposed brick or stone flooring) black exteriors truly pop.

Beyond aesthetics, a black home exterior offers practical benefits. Their low light-reflecting qualities conceals wear and tear, making them a smart, low maintenance choice. Also good to know: the robust nature of modern exterior paints and modern black cladding ensures longevity and colourfastness, protecting against UV radiation, dirt and the weather.

Our customer Jade Doutch opted for a custom door in a black industrial style design to match her black home exterior. Delve into the project case study to see how the final look came together.

Is black cladding a good idea?

From a style perspective, possibly yes! Complementing the trend for black paint is the increasing popularity of black cladding.

Materials such as composite and fibre cement cladding in black offer a sleek, modern alternative to traditional timber. This trend is inspired, in part, by the traditional Japanese woodworking technique of “Yakisugi” which involves charring wood to increase its durability and create a distinctive blackened surface.

Today, modern black cladding is available as a ready-to-use product, making it easier than ever to achieve this bold look for new builds or renovations. It’s often used to create strong contrasts with lighter facades or natural elements like wood or stone, lending an authentic building a contemporary edge.

Vertical black cladding is particularly effective for a compelling and luxurious appearance, while wood-look black cladding offers the stylish effect of black with a warmer, organic, and rustic atmosphere.

The appeal of external black cladding for a house lies not only in striking visual impact but also in its easy maintenance, durability and resistance to rotting, warping, and splintering. A long-lasting and practical choice for UK homes.

Modern Industrial Style Entrance Doors
The Perfect Pairing

How do you complete the aesthetic? Industrial style entrance doors (sometimes called Crittall style entrance doors) are an indispensable element. Especially if you perhaps just want to have a subtle nod to the black home exterior trend as an alternative to painting your house black.

These iconic black-framed doors, with their slender sightlines and grid-like aesthetic, have been a design staple for over a century and are currently enjoying a significant resurgence. Their industrial-chic appeal (combined with their ability to flood interiors with natural light) makes them a perfect fit for period properties and contemporary homes.

More unconventional than a traditional front door but no less popular, modern industrial style entrance doors pair exceptionally well with a black home exterior. They bring light to the space and ensure a covetable blend of heritage charm and modern minimalism.

While traditionally made of steel, modern industrial style entrance doors with glass are often constructed from aluminium. That means you benefit from the same slim, elegant look without the weight, high cost or intensive upkeep. This makes them a more accessible and practical option for many homeowners, while still delivering that sought-after look.

Discover more popular front door colours and learn how to choose garage doors to match your home exterior. As a bonus, dive into our kerb appeal tips for more ideas on elevating your home exterior.

Modern Black Home Exterior FAQs

Do I need permission to paint my house black?
It might be worth a quick check! A crucial consideration for any exterior home renovation in the UK is planning permission. While the general rule of thumb is that minor aesthetic changes like painting don’t require permission, there are important exceptions to be aware of, including making dramatic changes to the way your property looks.

Do you need permission to paint the exterior of your house?
Generally, you do not need planning permission to paint the outside of your house.

However, this changes if your home is a listed building or located within a conservation area. In such cases, you’ll likely need listed building consent or planning permission, respectively, particularly if you are significantly changing the colour or applying paint to a surface that was previously unpainted.

Local authorities in conservation areas often have stricter regulations on colours and materials to preserve the area’s character. It is always advisable to check with your local council’s planning department.

Do I need permission to put cladding on my house?
In most cases, you do not need planning permission for adding external cladding to your house, provided the materials you are using are of a similar appearance to those used in the original construction.

However, if the cladding significantly alters the appearance of the house (it’s a new material, a drastic colour change or if your property is in a conservation area or is a listed building) you may need planning permission. Again, consulting your local planning authority is key.

Can I change my front door without planning permission?
Yes! You typically do not need planning permission to replace existing windows and doors in the original walls of your house, as long as they are similar in size or appearance.

However, as with painting and cladding, if your home is a listed building or in a conservation area, you will almost certainly need listed building consent or planning permission. Some local councils may also have Article 4 Directions in place that withdraw permitted development rights, meaning even minor changes might require approval.

If you plan to install a new door opening or significantly alter the size and shape of an existing one, especially to the front of a house, planning permission will likely be required.

Always check with your local planning authority before undertaking any exterior work, especially if your property is listed, in a conservation area, or if the proposed changes are substantial. Failing to obtain necessary permissions can lead to enforcement action and potential financial penalties.

Dare to be Different

The trend for black exteriors, black cladding for houses and industrial style entrance doors reflects a desire for sophisticated, modern homes that stand out from the rest.

But while a modern black home exterior is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, it’s essential to navigate the planning permission landscape carefully to ensure your transformation is both beautiful and compliant with regulations.

Add a little monochrome magic to your property with our black glass external door sets or talk to our team about custom front door options to suit your space.