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Choosing a paint color for your home’s exterior can be stressful. There are many factors to consider, and this can create a lot of pressure. After all, the color of your home’s exterior is typically a longer-term commitment than the color of your interior walls.
If you’re not sure how to go about exterior painting and what colors to choose, this article is for you. Here are five tips:
1. Consider your home’s style
Before you start examining different paint colors, consider your home’s style. For example, a classic Victorian house may call for neutral tones, not bold ones. Similarly, a beachside house may do well with pastel colors.
Pay close attention to whatever colors your home’s exterior already has: the foundation, the roof, and so on. Try to work around these colors when choosing a shade of paint.
You may also want to consider the colors of other outside structures, such as a deck, garage, shed, or fence. The same goes for your home’s interior. Ideally, the exterior paint color will complement the interior to give your home a cohesive feel.
2. Look at your neighborhood
After examining your home’s existing features, check out the surrounding neighborhood. Pay attention to color patterns and any houses that look out of place (so you can avoid the same fate).
If you live in a homeowners association (HOA), be sure to check for any regulations regarding painting your house and what colors you can use. Even if you’re not part of an HOA, you may want to consult your local community before painting your house.
Your home’s natural surroundings and landscape should also be a factor in which paint color you choose.
3. Avoid trends
It may be tempting to follow the latest home design styles but be careful. Trends come and go, and painting your home isn’t something you want to do every few years. So avoid following trends if you can. Otherwise, you may end up regretting your choice.
4. Use complementary colors
Believe it or not, there’s a science to choosing the right colors for your house. But it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. All you need to do is consult a color wheel. It can tell you which colors complement each other and which don’t. That way, you don’t end up choosing shades that will clash and become an eye sore. Aim for a combination of about three hues that go well together.
5. Test colors before you commit
Finally, it’s important to test colors before committing to them. You can easily do this with paint swatches that you’ll find at your local home goods store next to the paint. However, it’s also a good idea to test actual paint samples.
Keep in mind that different home exterior surfaces can affect the look of paint colors: stucco, brick, wood, etc. Also, shades often appear lighter when applied to an entire house than they do in smaller quantities.
To get a good idea of how a paint color will look on your house, observe it at different times of day when the lighting is different: cloudy vs. direct sunlight or rainy vs. dry. Aim for colors that look most consistent under different conditions. Also, don’t forget to consider the direction your home faces as this will determine how sunlight will hit it.
Ultimately, choosing the right home exterior color can be a tough job. Do your research and if you need more help, consider consulting a professional designer. They can give you their expert opinion so you can avoid making a novice mistake.
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