By Omer Okic, owner of Ultimate Exteriors · 28 years on Des Moines homesOriginally published April 2022 · Updated November 2026
Pick a siding color that suits your home's style, works with the roof and any stone or brick, and fits your neighborhood and HOA rules. Look at real samples outside, in daylight, next to your roof.
- Check HOA rules before you fall in love with a color
- Match the color family to your home's style
- Coordinate with the roof, stone and brick that are staying
- Trim contrast does as much as the main color
New siding is one of the biggest changes you can make to your home's curb appeal, and the color is the part everyone notices. A few things to think about before you choose.
Look at your neighborhood
Drive your street and decide whether you want your home to blend in or stand out. If you're in a homeowners association, check the rules first; many Des Moines-area HOAs, especially in newer developments in Ankeny, Waukee and West Des Moines, limit siding colors or require approval.
Match the color to your home's style
- Craftsman homes look right in earthy tones: browns, deep greens, warm grays and muted reds, with contrasting trim.
- Farmhouse and modern homes often use white, light gray or black, with bold dark windows and trim.
- Colonial and traditional two-stories suit classic whites, creams, blues and grays with white trim.
- Ranches can go almost any direction; a darker color can make a long, low house feel more grounded.
Work with what's staying
Your roof, stone, brick and windows usually aren't changing with the siding, so the new color has to get along with them. Hold samples up against the shingles and stone. Warm stone looks best with warm siding colors; gray or black shingles go with almost anything.
Don't forget the trim
Trim, soffit, fascia, gutters and window frames frame the main color. White trim is classic and crisp; matching trim looks modern and quiet; black or dark bronze trim adds contrast. Mixing in board and batten or shake on a gable is another way to add interest.
See it outside
Colors look different on a small chip indoors than on a whole wall in Iowa sun. Look at full-size samples outside at different times of day, and drive by homes with the colors you're considering. Darker colors have come a long way in fade resistance, but ask about each product's fade warranty.
Comparing materials as well as colors? Read vinyl vs. fiber cement vs. LP siding and see our siding cost guide.
Quick answers
What siding color is most popular in Des Moines?
Grays, whites and deep blues are common, with black or white trim. Earth tones remain popular on craftsman homes.
Do dark siding colors fade?
Modern vinyl and prefinished siding resist fading far better than older products, but darker colors still show it more. Ask about the product's fade warranty.
Want help choosing?
Omer can bring samples and show you colors on your actual house. Get a free siding estimate, or see finished homes in our gallery.