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What colors should i paint my house


What Color to Paint Your House

Find the right exterior paint color for your home and check out tips on how to paint a home exterior

There’s plenty to consider as you consider painting your house and typically the first question is: What color should I paint my house?

You might start with a search of popular house colors or trending house colors. You might even want to know the house paint colors that improve curb appeal like these 15 house painting ideas.

But if you’re getting ready to sell your home, you’ll want to know the color that will add $6,000 to your home’s value.

Great home exterior colors right now

Lisa F.

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Home Exterior Painting Preparation

Before you embark on painting your home’s exterior you likely want to get an idea of what it’ll look like after it’s painting. A good way to do that is using a home exterior painting app.

Home Exterior Painting Apps

Some popular home exterior painting apps include: CentraPro Painters, which allows you to upload a photo of your home and add a new color scheme after you register. Sherwin-Williams’ ColorSnap is another option that allows you to upload a photo of your home and paint it with a tool. Sherwin-Williams also has a color visualizer that will allow you to upload a photo of your home after you register on the site. It’s a bit clunky but it’s another option. McCormick Paints has a similar option on its website where the user has to register prior to using. You must also register to use Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer.

A fast way to prepare your home for painting is to use a pressure washer to clean the old paint and make the new home exterior paint stick better. These tips will let you know what goes into pressure washing a house.

Should Your Garage Door Match Your House Paint

The short answer is yes, your garage door should match your house paint. But that leaves you with plenty of options so if you’re painting your home a completely new color, keep your garage door’s color in mind because you might have to paint that as well. You can replace or revamp your garage door with these tips.

How Long Will Exterior Paint Last?

You can expect your exterior paint to last between 5 to 10 years based on the paint you use and how you prep your home’s exterior for painting. More on that later.

Best Exterior Paint & Which Exterior Paint Color Fades the Least

Behr Premium Plus Satin Enamel Exterior paint is a top-reviewed paint while Kilz remains at the top for siding and primer. As far as fading goes, darker and vivid colors tend to fade faster than lighter colors because the sun will beat on it. Generally, reds, blues, greens and yellows will fade faster than earth tones like beiges, tans and browns.

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How to Paint a House

Painting preparation often makes a big difference in how long exterior paint will last so it’s vitally important to follow these exterior painting steps to ensure your home exterior paint lasts. Proper exterior painting preparation means pressure washing the house, scraping out old caulk and paint, filling gouges before priming, sanding ridges, and caulking seams and cracks.

Best Temperature to Paint House Exterior

Weather is always key when it comes to painting a house’s exterior so you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast before starting. You’ll also want to pay attention to the temperature. The best temperature to paint a house exterior with oil-based paint is between 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit. The best temperature to paint a house exterior with latex-based paint is between 50-85 degrees. You’ll want the paint to dry when the humidity is between 40-70 percent. Learn more about the proper home exterior painting temperature with this guide.

How Much Paint Will You Need to Paint a Home’s Exterior?

Paint estimates can vary but BEHR estimates that one gallon of paint is enough to cover between 250 to 400 square feet of surface area with one coat so it’s important to calculate the size of your house by measuring the perimeter and then the height from the foundation to the roofline. Then multiple the perimeter by the height. If you want to get more precise you can subtract the square footage of doors and windows. Windows average 15 square feet and doors average 20 square feet.

How Long Does It Take for Exterior Paint to Dry?

Latex acrylic paint typically needs two hours to dry but if there’s rain coming, it’ll take closer to six hours, you’ll need to plan things accordingly if you plan to paint multiple coats.

Which Paint Tools to Use

You’ll need at least a pressure washer, scrapers, sander and sand paper, primer, paint brushes, caulk, paint roller, paint tray, extension ladder, paint, painter’s tape, rags, a roller sleeve, ladder stabilizer and protective canvas or old sheets.

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What to Do With Painting Supplies

How to Store Paint and Preserve Paint Brushes

If you’re expecting a multiple day home exterior painting project, you’ll need to know these tips on how to store paint and these secrets to preserving paint brushes and rollers.

10 ideas and advice |

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When it comes to paint colors for the exterior of a house, there is a plethora of options to choose from. Ranging from classic whites through to more vibrant tones, there is a color for every home and every home owner.

Choosing paint ideas for your home's exterior is a big task. It will define your home's character and create an instant impression. Painting your home is a fairly complex task and not one you'll want to repeat on a regular basis – therefore choosing the right house paint colors first time around is vital.

‘A great tip for choosing a house paint color is to make sure you view some realistic samples first. I always advise clients to paint the samples on posterboard in order to have large visuals of the color that can be seen in many different lighting positions. It is all too common to see sellers paint an entire house based off of a small sample, and then regret the color they chose,' advises Donald Olhausen Jr, real estate agent, house flipper and owner of We Buy Houses in San Diego.

Below, we showcase the best paint colors for the exterior of a house.

Paint colors for the exterior of a house

As well as considering paint colors for the exterior of a house, it is also important to think about how to paint a house exterior.

'Painting an exterior is not just about choosing the right colors, it’s also about choosing the right paint finishes, after all, this finish needs to protect the building as well as decorate it!’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene . 

‘Exterior paint is essentially your home’s protection from the elements, so it’s vital to select paints that not only look fantastic and have a superb finish, but that are also durable, practical and formulated to withstand the test of time, harsh weather conditions in winter and the baking UV light of mid-summer. ’

‘For brick, stone or rendered walls, a masonry paint is required, extremely durable and water-resistant, it offers effective protection from the elements, and benefits from being highly dirt-resistant, with its anti-fungal and anti-ageing properties ensuring it looks good for longer,’ continues Ruth. ‘If you’re unsure about choosing the right paint finishes for your home, consider an all surface primer.'

1. Opt for white on colonial style homes

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Classic and timeless, you can't go wrong with white for colonial style houses. One of the most popular paint colors for the exterior of a house, it suits almost all house styles from colonial homes through to new builds.

‘Refreshing the exterior of the house can instantly transform your property and add value to it. External features such as window ledges, door surrounds and gate posts can all be painted with the same formulation and color to create a uniform look,’ says Matthew Brown, technical consultant at Sadolin & Sandtex .  

2. Select red for farmhouse vibes

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If you have a farmhouse or even farm-style barns on your property, then red is a classic house paint color. While it would make a bold statement in the city, in the countryside, red is a timeless choice.

Red is the traditional color for farmhouses. Before paint was readily available, farmers would seal their barns with linseed oil which was often mixed with red iron oxide to seal the barn's exterior and kill any fungi. This addition turned the barn a rich red color. Today's red house paint color is an attractive nod to the tradition.

'Throughout New England, the Midwest, and other dairy farming regions, the farmhouse trend of weathered red as an exterior color (with white trim) still earns powerful nostalgic reactions from homeowners and especially their guests,' adds Baron Christopher Hanson, luxury South Florida Realtor at EchoFineProperties .

3.

Brighten a timeless gray exterior with white accents

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gray is one of the most elegant and durable paint colors for the exterior of a house. However, if you select the wrong shade it can look dark and unappealing. Therefore, if deciding on gray for the exterior of your home, also factor in ways to brighten the look. Select a gray with warmer, silvery undertones and pair with a clean white gloss for the trim, porches, window frames and door frames to catch the eye and brighten your home's exterior. 

‘In the same way you would look at paint colors alongside curtain fabrics and furnishings, consider the architectural elements of your exterior too: do you have red or yellow tone bricks, limestone or granite walls, what color are your roof tiles? Build these into your design scheme to ensure your paint choices are complementary,’ says Ruth Mottershead.

‘Don’t let decorating the exterior be an afterthought, as well as weatherproofing and protecting your home, it’s a fantastic way to add design personality and curb appeal. ’

4. Select a color to help your house sell faster

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you are looking to sell your home, then when it comes to picking paint colors for the exterior of a house, the advice is the same as that for painting the interior of a house. 

Painting your house white inside and out is always the best way to sell any property faster. White is also a neutral color that reflects light, allowing landscaping and trim colors to stand out whilst making every room of your house look bigger and reflect even more light indoors. 

'White is also a tabula rasa color that allows buyers to envision their own color palette, skin tones, artwork, and furnishings. If buyers wish to paint a room or wall or door or shutter any different color, white as a base coat is always best,' says Baron Christopher Hanson. 'The advice we give to every seller in any market is simple: paint it all white, inside and out, with one pop of color, and your home will appeal to far more buyers.

5. Select a sunny shade to bring year-round cheer

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Yellow is a cheery shade that will brighten any home. A favorite shade for interiors – you can't beat yellow room ideas – it also looks great on the exterior of your home.

However, if considering yellow paint colors for the exterior of a house, it is important to carefully consider tone. There is a lot of color variation with regards to decorating with yellow, from a creamy off-white through to vibrant lemon. When choosing paint colors for the exterior of a house, opt for a lighter shade, with mustardy undertones and avoid anything garish – temper the look with a clean white trim. 

'With its bold nature, yellow is a fantastic shade to couple with soft greys as it adds class and intrigue to any outside space. Mixing these shades together through exterior paint can create an immediate, contemporary and on trend exterior space with minimal effort,' adds Matthew Brown.

6.

 Add color to your home's exterior with blue paint

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Blue is one of our favorite paint colors for the exterior of a house. While it is still a fairly neutral shade, drawing on the same tones and whites and grays, it will still stand out on your street.

'The rule of thumb is typically to paint your house with colors of your surrounding environment. For instance, you’ll see many beach houses painted a light blue, whereas in the mountains you’ll see a lot more brown,' says Matt Woods, co-founder and CEO of SOLD.com .

'In fact, many Homeowner Associations have rules that their homes must be painted to match their surroundings. This goes for aspects of the exterior such as the trim and the shutters, and is meant to help your home look more natural in its environment.'

7. Opt for on trend griege

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Greige, a mix of gray and beige, is having a real moment. The beige-gray color trend is taking interiors by storm and is also one of the best paint colors for the exterior of a house. Greige works well with many different styles and is an interesting, yet neutral shade.

An added benefit of selecting greige paint colors for the exterior of a house is that it leaves you free to be more creative with your front door color ideas. Every color from warm reds, pinks and oranges through to cooler greens and blues will look great set against a greige house. 

If you are thinking of selling your home, greige is also a great choice. 'Neutral colors, like grey, white, beige and greige, are widely accepted by most potential buyers as something they can easily move into and not deal with when they take possession,' says Geoff Sharp, president and owner of Sharper Impressions Painting .

8. Opt for a dark color for a modern look in cooler climates

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For a modern look, consider dark paint colors for the exterior of a house. However, you need to be careful when opting for darker shades, especially if you live in a warm part of the country.  

Dark colors absorb both light and heat, and as such will make your home feel warmer. While this is a great choice if you live in a cooler place where you are actively trying to increase the insulation of your home, dark colors should be avoided if you want to keep your home cool. For these houses, light colors are better for as they help to reflect light and keep your home cool.

If opting for dark paints colors for the exterior of a house, then be sure to lighten the look with a bright white shade for the trim and opt for colorful front door ideas too. 

9. Go bold with your roof color

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're feeling a little apprehensive about selecting bold paint colors for the exterior of a house but still want a pop of color, consider opting for a colorful roof. White walls will bring all the benefits of painting your home white, however topping with a bright roof will add a little bit of personality to your home. This red and white combo is classic and eye-catching in equal measure.  

10. Consider your region when choosing colors

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Color will always catch the eye but it is important that it fits in with your region and the colors of your neighbors' homes. Avoiding clashes is key and one of the easiest ways to do this is to opt for white paint colors for the exterior of a house, but then pair with colored trim.

'The exterior of any home should always consist of white and one other accent color for doors and trim, depending on your region, climate, flora and fauna, and style. In South Florida, tropical colors can produce a delightfully elegant trim effect: Cantelope, mango, seafoam, pink ground, or orange blossom. In New England, fire engine red, navy blue, or black can be as rustic as they are traditional. In Charleston, South Carolina, Hale navy, Repose gray, caramel, or Dishy Coral (works in South Florida as well),' says Baron Christopher Hanson.

How many colors should a house exterior have?

The house exterior should have at least two colors, one for the trim and one for the body. However, don't go over board. ‘Excluding the roof, the exterior of a house should have no more than three colors,’ recommends Melanie Hartmann, owner of Creo Home Buyers .

What exterior colors make a house look bigger?

Bright, neutral colors like whites and pale colors will help to make a house look bigger. Just as when it is used for interiors, bright, light colors such as whites, light grays and even pale yellows will reflect light and help to make your property appear larger.

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature.  

What color to paint the house on the plot

Choosing the original color of the facade of the house on the plot allows you to distinguish your house from others. More and more people are choosing to paint the exterior walls of their home with eye-catching colors. Check out which house color to choose for the site so that the building is unique and aesthetic at the same time.

Contents

  1. What color to paint the house in
  2. The most popular colors of houses on plots
  3. What paint to paint the cottage on plot
  4. What, besides paint, do you need to paint a summer house
  5. What else you need to remember when painting a house on a plot

What color to paint the house

What color of the house to choose for the plot?
Choosing the right color for your home isn't always obvious. Before buying paints for painting the facade, it is worth considering which colors will best match the shade of the roof, window frames, window sills and front doors. This will create a fashionable and aesthetic structure. Moreover, when deciding what paint to paint the house on the site, you should also pay attention to the colors of garden tools and choose the color that suits them. Thanks to this, the finished facade is sure to please both the owners of the cottage and their neighbors.

When choosing the color of the house, you can also choose one of the favorite colors of the people who will live in it. First of all, it is worth asking the smallest members of the family, who will probably have an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhat paint to paint the house on the site. There are options in muted colors such as dark green, black or gray, as well as products in expressive shades - red, blue and even pink. The only limit in this case is your imagination!

It is also good to remember that when choosing what color to paint a house on a plot of land, it is not necessary to be limited to one paint. Different types of color combinations look interesting, such as red and black or pink and blue. This type of facade decoration allows you to give it the desired character. It is also a good solution to paint the terrace in a different color or create a frame for windows or doors in a different shade.

The most popular colors of houses on the plots

On the plots you can find houses of different colors. Often such structures are painted with transparent products, therefore they retain the color of the wood from which they are made. However, you can often see green options - they blend perfectly with the surrounding plants. Moreover, the facades of this color are combined with red roofs, as well as with roofs in dark shades.

In some areas you can also see buildings painted in gray or black. This solution gives the house an elegant look. Moreover, the listed colors are perfectly combined with other shades, both garden furniture, roof or front door. Many people also paint their cottage on the site with cream paint. This color scheme looks aesthetically pleasing and at the same time bright, so it will look great in the shade. On the other hand, in seaside towns one can often see houses on plots painted blue, reminiscent of waves.

You can often see houses where only the terrace is painted in a different color, and the outer walls themselves are painted in a natural shade of wood. In this case, white, green or gray paint is usually used, depending on what character the owners want to give to the dacha.

What paint to paint the cottage on the plot

After choosing the right color for the facade, many people also wonder what paint to paint the house on the plot. Any online store of varnishes and paints offers a large selection of products for painting at home. It must be remembered that the facade of the building is exposed to both low and high temperatures, as well as moisture, so buying a product for painting it should not be accidental. First of all, this paint must have water-repellent properties. These types of products repel water, so that it does not penetrate into the wood from which the facade of the house is made.

When choosing a paint for painting a cottage on the site, you should also make sure that it is elastic. This is an important question, since a different type of product can lead to unsightly bubbles on the facade. The paint must also have sufficient adhesion, thanks to which it will not crumble and fall off the facade even after several years after application. In addition, when looking for the right paint, you should also check whether it is resistant to adverse weather conditions, because one of its tasks is to protect the wood. If this product does not additionally function as an impregnation, the façade must be adequately protected before painting.

What, besides paint, is needed to paint the cottage

Having decided what color to paint the house on the plot and buying the chosen paint, you should also take care of the appropriate accessories that will allow you to accurately and aesthetically paint the facade. For this it is worth investing in:

It is also worth making sure that all accessories are of the appropriate quality. Particular attention should be paid to brushes, which have a significant impact on the final effect of painting the facade.

Other things to remember when painting the house on the lot

In addition to deciding what color to paint the house on the lot and purchasing the appropriate accessories, you should also remember to schedule the work for spring, summer or early autumn, when the temperature does not drop below 5°C. Otherwise, painting the facade will not only be unpleasant, but probably not as effective as possible. Before you start applying paint to the walls of the building, they must also be properly cleaned.

It is also important to sand the wood, as this helps to obtain a uniform surface, which is necessary for the correct painting of the facade. Also, do not forget to use the aforementioned impregnation, especially if the paint itself does not provide the walls of the structure with complete protection from harmful weather conditions. And it is important to remember the safety rules.

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What color to paint the house: 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.

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.

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

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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.

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Instagram @ black

Front material

Wooden private cottages and dachas are usually coated with antiseptic translucent or topcoat impregnations. The former preserve 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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Check out our selection of beautiful exterior painting examples.

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photo

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Instagram @newlifeluxury

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Instagram @tatertotsandjello

Instagram @ourfifthhouse

By type of finish

For exterior walls, facade paints are usually used that are resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations. They are matte, semi-matte, glossy. If the house is located in the sun, choose a matte option.

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.