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Choosing house paint colors exterior


How to Choose an Exterior Paint Color

By

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

What exactly should you keep top of mind when selecting exterior paint for your home? According to designers, there are several factors that you'll want to prioritize before committing to a new color. After all, exterior paint is more of a long term commitment than indoor paint, and we all know the importance of our homes making an excellent first impression from the street. If you're preparing to paint your home in the near future, you won't want to miss reading the following tips that will ensure the process goes smoothly.

Anastasia Casey

Look to Your Surroundings

The next time you step outside, focus in on the homes around you and examine their hues. This can be useful whether you're looking to have your house blend in with neighbors' homes or if you wish for your place to make an unexpected statement. "If there are a bunch of white and gray homes, then a navy blue could be a nice color to stand out," says Linda Hayslett of LH.Designs. "That way, you don't look too similar to other homes in your area."

This concept doesn't just apply to nearby homes, though. Hayslett also finds it helpful to closely examine the surrounding landscape. "Depending on what the natural elements are, you can use the colors of plants and scenery to help determine if you want the exterior to blend in to nature, or pop and stand out," she says. "A home in the desert could blend in with a nice creamy sand color or a house could stand out in the mountains with a nice rich black exterior paint color to go with the thick of the woods and branches. "

Examine Your Interiors

While scoping out the neighborhood can be helpful, you'll also want to evaluate your interiors. "Look to the inside of your home to see what would go with the exterior paint choice," Hayslett says. "It's nice to have a cohesive feel with the interior when it comes to an exterior color." After all, your exterior paint color is what makes a first impression! "It helps set the narrative," Hayslett states. For example, she adds, "If you have dark greens throughout your house then considering something in that family will make your exterior really feel homier."

Plus, in some cases, you may be able to see your exterior paint from indoor rooms, and you won't want the overall result to clash. "In my home, the porch ceiling and columns are visible from my living room, so I made sure to select colors that looked great from that vantage point as well," says Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors. "Your inside and outside needn't match, just pay attention to bold color choices and make sure you can literally live with them if need be. "

Your decorating style may also play a role in shaping what exterior paint color is best suited to your home. If your style is traditional, Tracy Morris of Tracy Morris Design suggests going for warm neutrals alongside a deep green, black, or navy door and shutters. Transitional decorators may wish to opt for cool neutrals paired with charcoal or purple-based black doors and shutters, and contemporary enthusiasts will want to keep neutral tones in heavy rotation outside, Morris adds.

Greg Powers for Tracy Morris

Test Your Swatches and Make a Mockup

As Anastasia Casey of IDCO Studio states, you won't want to commit to an exterior paint color without giving it a test run first. "Exterior paint colors often appear several shades lighter when applied to the entire house," she shares. "Make sure to test paint swatches and check them throughout the day as the sun shifts."

Creating a mockup that showcases your exterior paint before it is applied is also essential, says Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design. "Seeing everything together first in a small section makes it much easier to visualize and make adjustments—rather than after you've had your entire home painted in a color that doesn't quite work," she explains. Still, renderings are not the end all be all—swatches are still essential. Sullivan notes, "In the end nothing replaces seeing an exterior paint option in real life in the space where it will live."

Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors for Your House

Picking house paint colors isn't just difficult; it can be terrifying! If you choose colors that are boring and blah, your house will seem flat and featureless, but if the paint colors are too bold, they can overwhelm the architecture or might even infuriate the neighbors. The potential rewards are substantial, though. Getting it just right by choosing the perfect exterior house color and trim combinations can change your life.

As you consider paint colors for you home's exterior, keep in mind that the best paint colors are those that highlight the most beautiful features of your home. That's one reason to know a little bit about residential architecture since history can tell you a lot about what colors have worked for various house styles over the years. Also remember that skillful use of color can sometimes disguise design flaws, boosting the curb appeal and market value of your home.

Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

How do you find that magic color combination? Below, we suggest 12 specific techniques and tips when it comes to choosing your house color. And please note that no expert ever suggests buying a paint color because it's on sale or because your painting contractor can get you a deal!

Honor History

If you're planning to paint an older home, you'll probably want to use a historically accurate color scheme. One way to do this is by a simple form of archeology—you can hire a pro to dig down to old paint layers on your siding and trim to analyze them and recreate the original color of your house. Or, you can refer to a historic color chart and select shades that were common at the time your home was built.

The more simple your house architecture, the fewer colors you'll need. For an elaborate Victorian house style with ornate trimwork, you might plan on using four to six colors, while a simple ranch home might call for only two colors. Do some careful observation of color combinations by visiting some historical homes, such as Roseland Cottage in Connecticut. If you are intent on thinking outside the box and picking brand-new or unusual colors, remember that this decision will become part of the lineage of your home.

Tip

Photocopy a sketch or photograph of your house. Use watercolors or colored pencils to try color combinations and narrow your choices. Then use free tools to help you choose.

Consider Jazzing up the Past

In some neighborhoods, it's common for homeowners to fly in the face of history. Instead of choosing historically accurate colors, they paint with modern colors to dramatize architectural details. Using bright colors on old architectural details can produce startling and exciting results—if your local historic commission approves. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing. A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco can seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods of the Northeast. The bright pink stucco that is common in Florida might truly startle neighbors in Washington State—which can be either good or bad. Remember that what's deemed as an acceptable color scheme may be dictated by region and neighborhood, not just historic architectural style.

Consider Your Neighbors

The house next door can give you paint color ideas, but it's a bad idea to copy your neighbor exactly. Choose colors that set your house apart but that don't clash with nearby buildings. Look around your neighborhood. Does your house's architecture look like the house next door? Are you in a suburban development with houses all around, or are your neighbors the trees? Or does your house stand apart within the neighborhood, like an original large farmhouse now surrounded by newer ranch-style mid-century homes?

Choose house colors with an eye to what is around you. This can mean deliberately blending, complementing, or even contrasting with the colors used by the surrounding neighbors. The key is to make your selections with intent and not allow the color effect to be accidental.

Borrow From Nature

The landscape around your house is blooming with color ideas. The prevalence of trees may suggest an earthy palette of greens and browns. A beach setting might suggest using vivid blues and turquoises or even shades of pink. A front yard garden can inspire exciting color combinations for your house based on what appears in the garden at tulip time. Where does the sun shine onto your house? How is your house positioned in the environment? Production houses usually aren't optimally positioned on their lots, so do what Australian architect Glenn Murcutt tells us to do—follow the sun. Remember that color needs light, and the quality of the light always has an influence on color.

Check the Roof

Your house is your canvas, but it is not blank. Some colors are already established. Is your roof asphalt? Shingle? Metal? Terracotta? Slate? Clay? Roofing materials have their own colors. Your exterior siding paint color doesn't need to match the roof, but it should harmonize. An expansive brick paver or cobblestone driveway with beautiful browns and reds may also have an influence on your selection of house colors. When choosing exterior paint, start with what's there already. House paint is easier to change than a roof or driveway.

Consider the Colors of Unpainted Materials

Every home has some features that will not be painted. Is your home brick? Stone? A combination? Does it have a dominant chimney? Vinyl windows? A natural wooden door? Construction materials have their own colors. Will the steps and railings on your home remain their existing colors?

Choose a color scheme that harmonizes with colors already present on your house. In the words of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, "Wood is wood, concrete is concrete, stone is stone. " Wright would rather go au naturel in all things, but most homes have some materials with colors that are naturally beautiful without any paint at all. Keep these materials in mind when choosing colors for the elements you will paint.

Find Inspiration in Your Living Room

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright preferred the colors of natural materials, yet he used his favorite Cherokee red color everywhere, including the Zimmerman House in New Hampshire. Consider the color schemes that are used inside your home, and choose exterior colors that harmonize. It may seem comical to paint an entire house based on the pattern of a pillowcase, but this approach actually does make sense. The color of your furnishings will guide you in the selection of your interior paint colors, and your interior paint colors will influence the colors you use outside. Once again, your goal is to harmonize.

Attend to the Details

To emphasize architectural details, paint them with an accent color that has an intentional relationship to the background color of the home. This can be a matter of using a complementary color, a contrasting color, a hue within the same color family, or sometimes even a clashing color, depending on the effect you're trying to achieve.

Strategically, this decision begins with identifying the architectural details of your house. Do you have brackets? Shutters? Imposts? Swirls? Dentil molding? More importantly, are there key architectural details missing that should be replaced before you begin painting? Are these details attractive enough and historically relevant in a way that calls for highlighting them? Or is it better to use a subtle color variation that allows these details to complement the home without screaming out?

Depending on the size and complexity of your home, you may want to choose two, three, or as many as six colors. In addition to color for your siding, select accent colors for shutters, moldings, doors, window sashes, brackets, columns, and porch decks. Remember that storm windows and screens can now be purchased in a variety of colors. This principle is more important than you may realize: Too many colors will overwhelm your house, while too few can make your house seem flat and uninteresting. House style can have a big influence here. A simple ranch-style rambler might look best with only two colors: one for the siding, and a slightly darker color in the same color family for the trim. An ornate Victorian house, on the other hand, might look wonderful with as many as six different colors—one for each of the different types of trim work and ornate details.

Use Light to Add Size

It's no wonder that large, grand estates are often painted white. Light colors make a building look larger, and white is the favored color for traditional classical architecture. (Remember, for example, that there's a very famous White House in Washington, D.C.) You can add to your home's sense of size and dignity by using white or a pale cream color. Use darker colors to emphasize shadows and lighter colors to project surfaces or details into prominence.

Go Dark for Drama

Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will also draw more attention to details. This technique of accented banding can be found in many of Frank Lloyd Wright's interiors. For exteriors, accent the recesses with darker shades and highlight details with lighter tones. Traditionally, the window sashes of Victorian homes are painted with the darkest of the chosen historic color combination.

Tip

Large surfaces always make paint colors look somewhat lighter, so consider selecting slightly darker shades for expansive areas, rather than relying on the apparent colors of paint samples.

Make Use of Color Families

Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details, but contrasts that are too extreme will clash and actually detract from details. To be safe, consider staying within a single color family—a group of assorted lighter and darker shades based on the same color hue. For some accents, try using a darker or lighter shade instead of an entirely different color. Brush up on the differences among tints, tones, and shades.

Tip

Remember that many colors come with inherent symbolism. You may want to consider some classic systems, such as the feng shui of exterior house color.

Strike a Balance

A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance. Strive to balance colors over the entire building. Some experts disagree with this, but most color experts advise that you should avoid extreme contrasts. It's usually best to choose colors that are related. Use available software programs to visualize combinations. Remember to check with your historic commission about color combinations that are historically accurate.

Tips for Choosing Type of Exterior Paint

You thought you only had to pick paint colors? Sorry! Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you choose paint for your house painting project:

House Paint Durability

Remember that very bright or very deep colors will fade. In fact, the color may change altogether as the paint gets older. For example, a deep, slate gray may turn more green or blue as it ages, even if the paint is an expensive name brand. The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade. After a few years, vivid blues and deep reds might seem more subdued. Dark colors can also pose more maintenance problems. Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. And because dark paint fades, it can be difficult to match exactly when you do small touch-ups. This doesn't mean you should necessarily rule out dark colors, since there are also advantages. Dark colors don't show dust and stains as readily as light colors do, and dark hues also give your house a sense of dignity or drama.

House Paint Sheen

House paint comes in several sheens, ranging from glossy to flat. The glossier the surface, the more likely it is to show imperfections, brush strokes, and touch-up marks. On the other hand, glossy surfaces are easier to clean—an important factor if your house is right on the road in the snowy winter. Many homeowners opt to use flat paint for the wall surfaces and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings, and window sashes.

Color Deceptions

Color swatches look very different when they are brought out of the store and viewed in natural sunlight. Also, colors always appear lighter on large surfaces than they do on small samples. Chances are that you'll need a darker color than the one you first picked when comparing samples. Study color samples outdoors, but never in direct sunlight, because bright sun distorts the color. Always test your selected color on a section of the house before buying gallons of paint. Live with the sample color for a week or two and observe it at different times of the day before making your decision to paint the entire house.

Have Fun!

Remember that paint is only paint, and that your house can always be repainted somewhere down the road if you find you don't like the color or if your preferences change. Take your time. Be creative. Have fun! Painting your home is an opportunity. It's like a blind date—the process gives you a chance to really get to know where you live. Your house can be your canvas and a model for learning about architecture and architectural details.

Don't be afraid to make house painting a family project. Let the kids be responsible for painting a specific architectural detail—what's the worst that can happen? It's only paint. Above all else, don't forget to finish the job with a dose of camaraderie and a great sense of and humor. Love equals patience.

choosing the right color for your home - Roomble.com

Choice guide

2021-03-06T09:33:40+00:00 2021-02-25T01:19:31+00:00 Facade paint: choosing the right color for your home 2021-03-06T09:33:40+00:00 Light factor, climate and accents: what to consider when choosing paint for the facade of your house - 15 important points Facade paint: choosing the right color for your home nine0003

The factor of light, climate and accents: what to consider when choosing paint for the facade of your house - 15 important points

The color of the exterior walls of the house is no less important than the color of the interior. Why you should not choose the first color or combination of colors for the exterior walls of your house, and what mistakes do we make in choosing the shade of the exterior walls? We tell you what to focus on when choosing the color of facade paint in order to achieve the desired effect - 15 important nuances.

Before making a decision and choosing a specific facade color, we look at the roof. A roof in neutral gray or black gives you more options in choosing the main color of the building. But if the roof is brown, and even with a red tint, for example, then you will have to look for color balance - you can’t choose any color for the facade here. nine0003

The choice of paint color depends not only on personal preferences, but also on the characteristics of the architecture of the building and the materials from which it was created. In versions with stone, brick or wood, you can focus on the lightest shades present in the material to select the main color of the facade and the darkest ones for the color of the finish.

The choice of facade paint color is much more difficult than the choice of interior paint. Daylight greatly changes the perception of color, and experts recommend immediately choosing a color 1-3 tones warmer than the main one selected in order to get the very harmonious and desired result. This also applies to white: choose a warm white color so as not to get a cold blue tint. nine0003

Do not rush to paint the entire facade in the selected color at once - conduct a test that will help you understand exactly how the color will look at different times of the day, on the sunny and shady sides. The sun can suddenly “pull out” shades that you don’t like. Choose the colors you want and test them on the exterior walls, one square meter is enough for a trial painting.

If you want to make beautiful architectural elements stand out against the background of the main color of the facade, stop at one accent color. nine0003

If you are still wondering what color to choose for the front, remember the main rule: less is more. Two or three colors for painting the facade is more than enough. Darker colors are best used for accent painting of architectural details.

However, if you are not afraid of an "explosion of color", you don't have to limit yourself. But it is definitely worth consulting with experts.

Editor's note:

To find the right shades for the exterior walls of your home, you can use one of the many online visualizers, which are enough on both Russian and foreign Internet sites. For example, on the websites of large paint and varnish companies. nine0003

According to experts, the ideal time to paint the facade is the period when the weather pleases with stable warmth. If you decide to update the facade in spring, autumn or winter, carefully study the label of the selected paint - under what conditions it can be used.

The climate also matters. The dark or light shade of the exterior walls is chosen based on whether you live in a sunny region or rainy and cold. Dark colors absorb heat more than light ones, so dark shades of the facade are ideal for northern latitudes, and light shades for exterior walls in the southern regions. nine0003

To know exactly which color suits you best, which paint is best to use and how to prepare the walls for painting, you need to have the appropriate knowledge. What can we say about the complexity of the work itself.

Do not forget about other nuances that only a specialist can know about. For example, paint used before 1978 may contain lead. That is, the preparatory work for the preparation of such a wall should be carried out taking this moment into account.

Before painting the facade, remember to protect the plants that grow near the house. In some cases, it is better to transplant them for a while to another place. nine0003

When choosing the color of the facade, do not forget about harmony with the surrounding landscape: one shade can become a luxurious background for your garden flowers, and your beautiful garden will simply be lost against another background.

What makes the facade white:

Disadvantages of the white facade:

The main advantages of dark fronts are:

Ref:

The "golden mean" in the choice of color, taking into account the fading of the dark color, the soiledness of the white facade and other nuances - a calm gray color that will emphasize the style of the house, which is not afraid of fading and yellowness, absorbs less heat than black, and which does not the settled dust from the road will be noticeable. nine0003

It depends on the pigment whether the color of the walls will be distorted over time when exposed to ultraviolet radiation and weather conditions. It is important to understand that it is not the paint that burns out on the outer wall, but the low-quality pigment that is added to it.

Color discrepancy between the sample and the facade is a frequent occurrence. And in most cases, it's not about tinting, but that various factors affect the final result:

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What color to paint the house in: choosing the right shade

Before the summer season, it's time to update the facade of a country house. We suggest what color to paint the house outside and show photos of beautiful examples. The choice is influenced by practical and aesthetic factors.

What color to choose for exterior decoration:

Things to consider

Color options

Paint types

Let's talk about aesthetics first. The rules come down to the covering ability of the material and its durability. Dark colors have less consumption, which reduces the cost of work. In addition, they attract heat, so they are best used in cloudy, cold areas.

If it is important that the wall fade more slowly, choose a light color. On the surface painted with it, dust is less noticeable, it will retain saturation longer. Red and all its shades fade the fastest. The maximum brightness period is 5-7 years. Next, let's talk about successful combinations for different areas. nine0003

Pexels

At the first stage, you can use various online services to select a palette. Download special applications or look for sites. You can use official Pantone services. It is also important to take into account several factors, which we will now discuss.

Site location

Pexels

Instagram @yourmortgagechampion

Instagram @heygents

Roof color

Usually this part of the house is different from the facade. It is desirable that they are combined with each other. For example, what color to paint the house if the roof is brown? In this case, it is recommended to use white, beige, shades of brown, blue. Gray tiles or slate can be combined with orange, blue, darker gray, burgundy, white, green, blue walls. Red roof - with gray, brown, black, yellow. Black - with light colors. nine0003

There is one more rule: the brighter the building, the more inconspicuous the roof should be. And vice versa.

Instagram @diamondvogelpaint

Instagram @urbancottageliving

Instagram @the_hen_homestead

Instagram @queenslander_living

Other elements of the building are sometimes distinguished from the general background. For example, platbands, drainpipes, cornices, doors. Another option is to combine several variations of the same color. In this case, use the combination rule: a dark plinth, a slightly lighter roof, and a medium-density paint for the walls. nine0003

Instagram @ strongshieldsiding

Instagram @ black

Facade material

Wooden private cottages and dachas are usually covered with antiseptic translucent or top coats. The former retain the pattern of timber or logs, the latter only its relief. If the facade is made of stone, brick or unpainted wood, you need to select decorative elements, a roof, a pediment. nine0003

To find a harmonious combination, look for it in the texture of these materials. Inclusions in stone or knots in wood are the best source of inspiration in this case. Brick is beautifully combined with brown, white, red, green and their derivative shades.

Pexels

Instagram @ wpieknymwnetrzu

These are general points to consider when choosing an outdoor design. After you find your color, paint a large sheet of paper or drywall with it and attach it to the building. Step back a long distance and evaluate how this option looks. Even better is to do it directly on the wall, as the paint manifests itself differently on different surfaces. During the day, you will be able to understand how the building will look with different lighting. nine0003

We list the most popular finishes.

Brown

A classic country house finish. Associated with warmth, comfort, closeness to nature.

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

White

White, like yellow, is perceived as elegant, joyful. In addition, it harmonizes perfectly with greenery. Deciduous trees next to such a structure look openwork, and for bright plants this is one of the best backgrounds. True, in winter it will merge with snow. Therefore, it is better to combine it with black, brown, red, blue, pink, blue. All of the above applies to beige facades. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Gray

A discreet palette might seem boring, but it's not. Together with snow-white or brown accents, it creates a cozy, elegant picture. This painting option is very practical - dust and dirt are the least noticeable on the surface. If you are thinking about what color to paint the outside of a wooden house, and you don’t like the option with a transparent stain, pay attention to the gray scale. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Green

Use it only if there are few trees nearby. Suitable for both cottages and cottages in the city. It is both bright and calm color.

nine0006 Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

A light gray-green hue that is trending this year. It is neutral, but at the same time unbeaten. It is combined with dark blue, gray, red-orange, coffee, swamp green, white. In each of the combinations, sage will look different.

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Yellow

Bright canary or pale yellow are associated with freshness, sun, warmth. Paint a house with it and even in the off-season the site will not be gloomy. Against such a background, white platbands and a brown roof look good.

Pexels

Pexels

Red

A deep ruby ​​red that is not often used in home decoration and is completely in vain. This color emphasizes the beauty of landscape design on the site, stands out from other buildings, looks great in any season. The only downside is that it burns out fairly quickly. Combines beautifully with wood. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Check out our selection of beautiful exterior painting examples.

10
a photo

Pexels

Instagram @newlifeluxury

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Invoice

Also on sale there are textured compositions resembling decorative plaster. They include fine granulate, which makes the wall grainy. This mixture is suitable for cases where you need to hide the defects of the cladding. It is applied in a thick layer and therefore careful leveling of the surface is not required.

Instagram @kvezal_decor

Instagram @kvezal_decor

According to the method of action

Frame and other wooden structures are often covered with transparent and tinted antiseptics, alkyd, oil or acrylic paints. The latter are preferred for a number of reasons.