Find Your Color Scheme: Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors
The color scheme you choose for the exterior surfaces of your home can have a huge impact on everything from architectural style to curb appeal. When selecting exterior hues, there are a variety of factors that come into play that you don’t need to worry about in choosing interior colors: such as landscaping, hardscaping, sun and shadow patterns, and the specific configurations of your lot. Here are 5 tips for choosing an exterior color scheme that will really make your home stand out.
- Do your research: When choosing exterior colors, the first thing to remember is that the color will look different on your house than it does on the color card from the paint store. It’s best to invest in a quart of paint and test in on an inconspicuous area of your home, studying it at various times of the day to see how the changing light and various weather conditions affect the way it looks. It’s also recommended that you walk around the neighborhood a bit to assess color schemes. This is a great way to find inspiration in finding the perfect colors for your home.
- Consider house and lot size: When color is used strategically, it can change the perception of the home’s size, particularly in comparison with lot dimensions. The main thing to remember is that light colors advance in space, whereas dark colors recede. For instance, when a large home on a small lot is painted dark colors, this can make the home look smaller and more in proportion to the lot. Likewise, height can be visually reduced by painting the upper portion a deeper tone than the bottom portion.
- Look at architectural elements: Whether you have a Tudor style or Queen Anne Victorian house, you want to choose an exterior paint scheme that’s complements that architectural style. A historically accurate color scheme is more important than you might think, as anachronistic colors can end up feeling jarring and make your house stand out in a not so flattering way. You also want to make sure that the color scheme complements such permanent surfaces as roof shingles, stonework, pathways, and driveways.
- Take color cues from your landscaping: Remember that your house will be viewed in the context of your landscaping, and coordinating colors between the two can have a beautiful effect. For instance, if your home is surrounded by woodland plants, then earth tones will be much more flattering than pastels or bright colors. Likewise, a pastel color scheme can provide a lovely backdrop to a colorful flower display.
- Choose three or more complementary paint shades: Contrast is a key element in successful exterior paint schemes, so you want to include a range of hues. The three main areas of the building to be painted are: the field color (or the main color of the home), the accent color (for doors, shutters, and smaller areas), and the trim color (for window and door casings, roof edging, and other trim work). Ideally, you want the trim color to contrast strongly with the field color, and the accent color to be bold enough to add a little pizzazz to the overall effect.
An exterior paint job is an investment, and thus choosing exterior paint colors should never be rushed. Take your time and consider all the different factors to come up with the perfect color scheme that you will be proud to come home to.