Every Austin neighborhood has its own look, history, and even paint rules. The shade that’s perfect for a modern home in Mueller might look out of place on a historic Hyde Park bungalow. That’s why choosing exterior paint in Austin isn’t just about personal taste — it’s about blending with the character of your community while still making your home stand out.
Below, we break down the most common trends, HOA considerations, and popular colors across Austin’s major areas and nearby communities.
West Lake Hills
West Lake Hills is known for luxury homes tucked into rolling hills and wooded landscapes. Palettes here lean timeless and upscale, with soft whites, stone-inspired grays, and warm earth tones that blend with limestone and natural surroundings. HOAs in this area often prefer subtle, elegant choices that preserve the community’s high-end aesthetic. Dark trim accents in black or bronze add contrast without breaking HOA rules.
Well-known neighborhoods and nearby communities include:
- Rollingwood
- Davenport Ranch
- Rob Roy
- Bee Cave Road corridor estates
Central Austin
Central Austin is a mix of historic bungalows, mid-century homes, and modern remodels. You’ll see everything from muted pastels on Hyde Park cottages to sleek charcoal grays on new builds around The Triangle. Without strict HOA rules in most areas, homeowners often experiment with bold or personality-driven colors.
Notable neighborhoods include:
- Hyde Park
- Rosedale
- Bryker Woods
- Clarksville
- Hancock
Downtown Austin
Downtown is dominated by condos and modern builds, but surrounding residential pockets still showcase unique styles. Here, you’ll see contemporary palettes with deep blues, sharp blacks, and modern whites paired with steel and glass accents. Homes in nearby historic areas may face stricter color considerations.
Neighborhoods and areas to note:
- Rainey Street District
- Seaholm
- Market District
- Travis Heights (just south of downtown, with historic homes and bold color traditions)
Northwest Austin
Northwest Austin features larger homes in established communities with leafy streets. Earth tones dominate here — browns, tans, and stone-matched palettes that work with the natural Hill Country backdrop. Bold trim or accent doors are popular for modernizing traditional brick and stucco homes.
Prominent neighborhoods include:
- Great Hills
- Balcones Woods
- Canyon Creek
- Jollyville
- Anderson Mill
- Steiner Ranch
South Austin
South Austin embraces individuality and creativity more than any other part of the city. From bungalows off South Congress painted with funky trims to ranch homes near Brodie Lane with bold accent walls, South Austin homeowners use paint to express personality.
Well-known neighborhoods include:
- Zilker
- Barton Hills
- Bouldin Creek
- South Congress (SoCo)
- Sunset Valley
East Austin
East Austin has become the city’s trendsetter for bold design. White exteriors with black trim dominate new construction, while older homes get bold blues, greens, and modern accent walls. The mix of historic homes and modern builds means there’s more flexibility here than anywhere else in the city.
Popular neighborhoods include:
- Mueller
- Cherrywood
- Govalle
- Holly
- East Cesar Chavez
Austin Hill Country
The Hill Country offers sweeping landscapes and homes designed to blend with nature. Stone-clad estates and ranch-style homes are best suited for warm neutrals, muted greens, and rustic browns. Many homeowners choose palettes that highlight natural cedar, limestone, and wide porches.
Well-known areas include:
- Bee Cave
- Lakeway
- Dripping Springs
- Johnson City
- Marble Falls
- Lake Travis
Leander
Leander has exploded with growth in recent years, with master-planned communities filled with new construction homes. Many of these neighborhoods follow HOA rules that lean toward modern neutrals and earth tones, though homeowners often add personality with bold accent doors and contrasting trims. Because these homes are newer, paint trends here often reflect contemporary styles that maximize curb appeal in suburban settings.
Major new home communities in Leander include:
- Crystal Falls
- Bryson
- Travisso
- Sarita Valley
- Bar W Ranch
These communities feature everything from traditional stone-and-brick homes to modern builds with clean white exteriors and dark trim accents.
Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill is one of the fastest-growing areas north of Austin, known for its wide-open spaces and family-friendly master-planned neighborhoods. Many homes here are larger and newer, built with brick, stone, or stucco exteriors that lend themselves to warm neutrals, grays, and rustic-inspired palettes. While HOAs often favor natural tones, homeowners frequently add personal touches with modern trim colors or statement front doors.
Popular communities in Liberty Hill include:
- Santa Rita Ranch
- Clearwater Ranch
- Rancho Sienna
- Orchard Ridge
- Stonewall Ranch
Liberty Hill offers the perfect mix of Hill Country charm and modern new builds, making exterior paint choices especially important for curb appeal in these competitive neighborhoods.
Cedar Park
Cedar Park has become one of the fastest-growing suburbs north of Austin, known for its family-friendly neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and convenient access to the city. Many homes here are part of master-planned communities, so exterior paint choices are often guided by HOA standards that favor neutral and timeless palettes. Warm grays, beige tones, and soft whites are common, while homeowners often personalize their curb appeal with bold trim, shutters, or accent doors.
Well-known neighborhoods and communities in Cedar Park include:
- Buttercup Creek
- Twin Creeks
- Bella Vista
- Silverado Ranch
- Ranch at Brushy Creek
- Forest Oaks
Cedar Park homes range from established brick builds in mature neighborhoods to modern stone-and-stucco designs in new communities. Choosing the right paint colors not only enhances curb appeal but also helps maintain property value in this competitive housing market.
Round Rock
Round Rock is one of the largest and most established suburbs in the Austin metro, offering everything from historic homes near downtown to sprawling master-planned communities along its edges. With a mix of older brick homes, modern stucco builds, and family-friendly subdivisions, exterior paint trends here balance durability with curb appeal. Neutral tones like soft grays, tans, and whites are common, while deep blues, greens, and bold front door colors are gaining popularity.
Well-known neighborhoods and communities in Round Rock include:
- Teravista
- Forest Creek
- Brushy Creek
- Behrens Ranch
- Paloma Lake
- Mayfield Ranch
HOAs in Round Rock’s newer communities often lean toward modern neutrals that highlight stone and brickwork, while established neighborhoods give homeowners more freedom to use character-driven color schemes. Choosing the right exterior paint here can set your home apart in a fast-moving real estate market.
Georgetown
Georgetown combines historic charm with rapid new development, making it one of the most diverse markets for exterior painting in Central Texas. The city’s downtown square and Old Town neighborhoods feature Victorian homes, cottages, and bungalows with character-driven paint schemes in warm pastels, muted blues, and classic whites. At the same time, Georgetown is home to some of the largest master-planned communities in the region, where modern stone-and-stucco builds lean toward contemporary neutrals and subtle trim contrasts.
Well-known neighborhoods and communities in Georgetown include:
- Sun City Texas (one of the largest retirement communities in the U.S.)
- Wolf Ranch
- Berry Creek
- Cimarron Hills
- Teravista (extends into Georgetown from Round Rock)
- Oaks at San Gabriel
With its mix of historic preservation districts and HOA-governed communities, homeowners in Georgetown must balance color choice with guidelines and long-term durability. The right exterior paint not only boosts curb appeal but also helps preserve home value in one of the fastest-growing cities north of Austin.
Learn More About Austin Neighborhood Trends
- Popular Paint Colors in West Lake Hills, Austin
- Exterior Painting Rules in Circle C Ranch
- Historic Home Painting Tips for Hyde Park
- Most Requested Colors in Northwest Hills
Work With a Painter Who Knows Austin and Beyond
At TruCoat Painters, we’ve worked across every part of Austin—from the historic bungalows of Hyde Park to the estates of West Lake Hills, the new master-planned communities of Leander, and the booming neighborhoods of Liberty Hill. We understand HOA rules, historic restrictions, and which colors work best in each area.
Request your free quote today from TruCoat Painters