How to Pick an Exterior Paint Color for Your Home
There are many factors to consider when picking an exterior paint color for your home. Here are seven tips that will help you find the perfect color:
1. Surrounding Colors
Look at the colors of other homes in your neighborhood to get ideas. Take a look around and see what color schemes you like that are used on neighboring houses. While the exterior paint of your home doesn’t have to match your neighbors’ exactly, similar color combinations can lend an attractive uniformity to the street view of the area. Making sure exterior house colors complement each other will create an aesthetically pleasing overall view for all passersby or potential buyers.
2. Neutrals
Consider neutral colors when picking an exterior paint color for your home. Neutral colors such as off white, beige or light grey might not stand out from the crowd, but they tend to make a subtle statement and won’t appear dated as trends come and go. Choose a single neutral, or mix and match neutrals for an attractive look that won’t need updating in the near future.
3. Contrast
Contrasting colors can add to the overall aesthetic of your exterior paint color scheme. If you choose a monochromatic palette with slight variations of one hue, you may not get the impactful result you were hoping for. Instead, try two colors that will provide contrast against each other while still complementing each other’s tones. A slightly lighter shade on the trim than is used on the body is ideal for creating contrast without clashing too much.
4. Location Considerations
When selecting an exterior house color, don’t forget to take into account the location of your home. A bright pink house might be a good choice for a beachfront property, but it likely won’t look as appealing in more rustic surroundings. Consider what natural colors are already prevalent around you and try to match those with your chosen exterior paint color to make sure that the color scheme looks like it belongs.
5. Selecting Accents
Your accent colors don’t need to be a direct reflection of your main color palette, but they should still complement each other without clashing or making too much of a statement on their own. Too many loud accents can ruin the overall appearance of the exterior paint job, while too little can make it appear dull and outdated. Experiment with different shades until you find an appropriate balance between the two.
6. Roof Considerations
Your roof is a major part of the exterior appearance of your home, so make sure that whatever color you choose will look good with your roof’s existing color. It’s not necessary to match exactly, but try to pick a paint shade that will complement the existing hue without clashing too much.
7. Expert Opinion
It never hurts to have an extra set of eyes take a look at your selected colors before pulling the trigger on painting your entire house. Ask friends and family for their opinion or consult with professionals who regularly help homeowners select exterior paint colors for their homes. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what color scheme looks best, but getting a second opinion can help you make an informed decision.
Once you’ve considered all of these points, you should have no problem picking the perfect exterior paint color for your home. All that’s left to do is get the paint and start rolling! Good luck!