How to Choose Exterior Paint Colors for your Home

Spring is in full bloom here in Colorado and that means a big increase in exterior color consultations! I love this time of year because I am able to assist so many who want to freshen up their homes with a brand new color scheme. I have learned many tools of the trade for choosing Exterior Paint Colors and wanted to share a few with you today.

If you love the information inside of this post, but decide that you need more, just let me know and I am happy to help. 

Okay, let’s get started!

My number one tip for choosing exterior paint colors is …

Work With What You’ve Got!

 What does that mean? Start with looking at the fixed elements of your home. This can be anything with color that either you cannot change, or you’re choosing not to. Some examples could be the roof, tile, or stone.

My best suggestion is to pick a color in the stone or roof that you like and choose a similar paint color. Alternatively, you can take a fixed element like brick and choose a complementary paint color that will make it pop. For example, I tend to use green-gray paint with warm red bricks.  Take a look at the photo below to see how these colors really complement each other.

Don’t Match Your Neighbor’s exterior paint colors

  I was passing a home recently and saw someone that was just wrapping up an exterior paint job. It was a beautiful dark gray, which I would usually love for being quite different and new. However, the house next door was identically built and had an identical color scheme, right down to the accent. I was really shocked!

I had to wonder if they asked their neighbor before they painted their house to match. Now, these two dark homes stick out like a sore thumb! This is a big NO and the HOA will usually catch it, but sometimes it isn’t noticed until it is too late. It really doesn’t make your home look better – it just leads neighbors and visitors to notice that someone wasn’t original. You don’t want to be known as that neighbor.

Now, these homes will always be noticed together instead of independently. This photo is not the home I was talking about, but it shows two homes that are too similar in paint color.  You want your home to stand out comfortably, not blend in with every other house.

Stay With the Style of the Neighborhood

STaking into consideration that you don’t want to have the same paint color as your neighbor, please don’t go painting your home bright turquoise if you’re not in an eclectic, historic neighborhood!

Yesterday, I saw bright purple trim on a cookie-cutter home within an HOA neighborhood! I have no idea how that one slipped by the Architectural Review Committee, but it was ugly and I know the neighbors don’t enjoy seeing it every day.

Ironically, one of the neighbors was a client of mine and she was not happy! I am all for creativity and adding pop to your home, but if you want to do this, I suggest giving me or an Architectural Color Consultant a call first.

Fun colors are for front doors or shutters and features like plant containers or exterior furniture. If you live in a historic district where the homes pop color like in Victorian or Craftsman schemes, then by all means go for that style. Just don’t do it in suburban HOA communities, as this is not going to bring value or style to your home.

I cannot stress that you are a member of the community you live in, and you should always add to the value of the neighborhood, not take away from it.

Test Your Paint Color!

This is really a no-brainer, but I am surprised by how many people move forward without testing and looking at their final colors before they paint. The easiest way to test color is to purchase a poster board and paint the colors on the board.

The top line should be fascia color, the body of the board should be the siding or main color, the trim should be on the side, and accents should be along the bottom. Hold this up along any fixed elements such as brick, stone, etc, and evaluate how it looks.

If something feels off, then it probably is. Look at the color in the front of the home, and the back of the home. I also encourage you to look at the colors at all times in the day. Check it in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The color will change throughout the day, so make sure you like it at all times.

Consult a Professional

Yes, I do think you should call me before you paint. I’m not just saying that because it’s my job! I have assisted hundreds of homeowners to choose the right colors to create an exterior they love. Helping them avoid making mistakes they’ll regret is another huge part of the value I add.

I know what works and what doesn’t so you don’t have to take a risk on your home. Painting an exterior is not cheap. Hiring a color consultant to help you understand what is best for your home is like insurance on that painting investment.

 As you can see, the exterior color of your home is a lot more than just the paint on the siding. If you still need help choosing exterior colors, look at the many different virtual offerings provided HERE.