D.C. Neighborhoods by Color & Style

The neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. are bursting with character. From family-
friendly suburbs to hyperactive urban communities, each section has its own unique
look and feel. While the area is changing rapidly, most of the homes retain their historic
look and feel. Below is a run-down of five of the city’s most popular neighborhoods –
sorted by color and style.

Georgetown – Historic Creams and Off-Whites

Georgetown is where D.C.’s historic charm meets high-end shopping destinations.
Nestled on the scenic bluffs of the Potomac River, this bustling neighborhood is full of
trendy restaurants, bars, and assorted shops. Many of Georgetown’s colonial row
houses are situated on streets that are paved with original cobblestone. When it comes
home exteriors, most residents create a customized exterior paint color that matches
the building’s original hue. Popular colors include natural tones like creams and
whites–anything to maintain the neighborhood’s historic look and feel. If you plan to take
another color route, make sure you consider the location, light, architecture, and HOA
guidelines. The houses in this area are famous for their beauty, so it’s important to
maintain a cohesive look with neighboring houses.

Dupont Circle – Red Brick

Dupont Circle is a mecca for museums, historic homes, art galleries, and diverse
restaurants. It’s also one the most popular stomping grounds for nightlife and revelry.
The Circle itself is a gathering place with park benches that surround a giant fountain.
And similar to Georgetown, it’s an interesting place to walk around and explore. Homes
in this neighborhood include a mixture of condos and row houses with brick exteriors.
Most people opt to keep the original red-brick color. However, white and cream are the
most popular exterior paint colors in areas without HOA restrictions.

Adams Morgan – Art Deco

Adams Morgan sits above Dupont Circle, in the heart of Washington, D.C. This
community is culturally diverse and full of nightclubs, coffee shops, bookstores, art
galleries, specialty shops, and more. The food is also incredible. Restaurants include
everything from Ethiopian and Vietnamese to Latin American and more. Away from the
hustle and bustle, beautiful 19th and early 20th century row houses and apartment
buildings line the narrow streets. In the 1930s, Art Deco emerged as a popular style.

While many of the original geometric shapes, bold colors, and machine-like motifs have
been demolished, residents keep this vibe alive with original brick and metallic accents.

Columbia Heights – Stone Veneers

For many years, Columbia Heights was a neighborhood of abandoned homes and
desolate shops. However, the area has seen a grand revitalization thanks to DC USA,
an 890,000 square-foot retail complex. Today, it’s one of the most ethnically and
economically diverse neighborhoods in the city. Its homes are a mix of high-priced
condominiums, townhouses, and public and middle-income housing. This neighborhood
is constantly changing, and so are its home’s exteriors. Stone veneers, a lightweight
alternative to real stone, are rapidly gaining popularity in this neighborhood.

Alexandria, VA – Wood Siding

Alexandria is a quaint, walkable city just south of D.C. Located on the banks of the
Potomac River, this area is overflowing with history. Every red brick road is lined with
modern restaurants, coffeehouses, and museums. You can explore them yourself – just
as George Washington might have done (yup, the streets are that old). The city never
experienced a rapid growth like D.C., so much of Alexandria’s original architecture has
remained the same. If you’re thinking about remodeling, stick with high-quality wood
siding that matches the rest of the city. It requires more maintenance, but it outlasts
lesser-expensive options like vinyl siding. Depending on your home, contractors may
also suggest fiber cement siding. This material both fire resistant and termite-proof.