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Are you stuck between fifty shades of grey or forty shades of green? Before you paint yourself into a corner, take a moment to think about why the color you choose for the outside of your home matters.
The shade of exterior paint you decide on is likely to stay with your home for many years. It can also have an impact on the value of your home.
Here’s what to consider when selecting the colors for your home.
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Go for Several Paint Shades
There are typically three main areas to think about when deciding on the right colors for the outside of your home. The first is the field color. This is the main color which is going to be the dominant shade on the outside of your house.
Next up is the accent color. This is what you’ll use for shutters and doors. It’s going to make these stand out from the dominant color. Finally, there’s the color you’ll use for any trim. This could be for things like window casings and the edging of roofs.
The trim color may often be in sharp contrast to the field color. So, for example, if the main color is dark, you might want to choose white or a pale color for the trim.
In the same way, a light field color can work well with a dark trim color. If you want to play it safe, you could go for three different shades of the same color for all three different areas.
Bright and bold shades can work well as accent colors. A lot will depend on how many features need to be painted with an accent color. If there are too many then a bold color may just be too much and therefore a poor choice.
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Architectural History
The exterior paint you choose should match the style in which your home was built. Let’s say, for example, you own a villa that was inspired by a Mediterranean style.
You might want to choose a dominant white color with terra cotta shades or a deep Greek blue color for the trim. Stay true to any historical character your home has. Do some research to make sure color combinations are historically accurate.
It could be that there are local regulations or codes that require your home to be painted in certain colors. Even if there aren’t, it’s often wise not to deviate from what would be the norm if your home is steeped in history.
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The Style of Your House
Remember that roofs, stonework, and pathways will stay the same after your home is painted. You need to make sure the paint colors you choose will match these kinds of permanent fixtures. Use a color guide to help you to make your choice.
Bear in mind that too many colors could overwhelm your house. Too few colors though could make your house look flat and dull. The style of your house is an important factor.
A simple wooden house with only one floor might look best with only two colors. A more complex Victorian style of house on several levels might look better with as many as six or seven different colors.
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The Rest of the Neighborhood
It’s important to take a look around your neighborhood. This allows you to consider how others have painted the exteriors of their homes. Your choice may well be unique but it should also blend in with the other homes around you.
Remember too that light will have a huge impact on exterior paint colors. If you live in an area that only receives average amounts of sunlight then it might be best to go for warmer colors.
It’s always wise to test out your paint choices. Buy small amounts first and try them out. You can then see how they look at different times of the day and under a variety of weather conditions.
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The Surrounding Landscape
The area around your house can be a great source of color ideas. If there are lots of trees close by you may want to consider an earthy kind of palette. That would include greens and browns.
If you live close to the sea, then some strong blues or shades of turquoise could work well.
The look of your front yard garden should also be taken into consideration. If you have a color scheme there for your plants and shrubs, this will need to blend in with your exterior paint color choice.
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Unpainted Features
Most homes will have some areas and features that will not be painted. You may have a home with a stone chimney that is better left unpainted, for example. You may also have a natural wood front door.
It’s important to choose colors that work well with these unpainted features. Remember that light colors can make a building look larger. Dark bands of trim can make your house appear smaller even though they’ll draw more attention to details.
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Color Durability
Very deep and bright colors are likely to fade. Color can even change completely over time. A strong slate gray color could look more green or blue with age. After several years, bright colors can seem more subdued.
Dark colors can also create maintenance problems. This is because they absorb more heat and tend to sustain more moisture problems than their lighter counterparts.
Over time, they can be more difficult to touch up because of the way they can fade. On the other hand, dark colors won’t show up dust and stains as much as light colors. They can also bring a dramatic effect to the look of your home.
Giving Your Home a Fresh New Look with the Perfect Exterior Paint Palette
When choosing the exterior paint for your home, think of the impact you want to make. You should also consider how this will blend in with the rest of your neighborhood. Stay true to any historical features your house has.
Continue reading more related articles on our site that will improve the look and style of your home, and be sure to share this post if you found it helpful.
1 comment
There are different color fitted for the interior and exterior, it should blend correctly with the shades and roofs. This could be a big help for anyone who is having a trouble on choosing paint colors.