CHOOSING THE PERFECT COLORS TO PAINT YOUR HOME EXTERIOR

Now the for Tough Part; How do you choose the right exterior paint color for your home? 

Does the thought of choosing house paint color scare you silly? The array of colors available can be terribly dizzying, especially because you don’t know where to start, and at $30 plus for a gallon of good quality latex paint, you can’t afford to make a wrong choice. In addition, there is the matter of the neighbors too. If you don’t like the new color then your neighbors probably won’t either.

Don’t worry! Just a little research and planning can help you find the perfect house paint color to make the final exterior paint job perfect. You no longer have to make a decision based solely on the suggestions given to you by the professional house painter, a bland choice of neutral colors, mainly consisting of white, tan or taupe. Instead make your house stand out with that paint POP, all you have to do is follow a few of these tips.

You Don’t Have A Blank Canvas

First go outside and look at your house. Notice the windows, the roof, the brick, stone and siding. Really look! Do you see how these items already have a color hue. Your home is not a blank canvas. You can’t change the color of these items. So you need to create a color palette.

A Two to Four Color Paint Scheme

Your exterior paint Scheme should have two to four colors. One color for large areas such as walls, another for the trim and a third for the accent or specific elements like doors shutters and other architectural features, the elements you want to be focal points of the home.

The main color should be the paint you use on your walls, which is the color that people will see the most from far away. This color will lead to your selection of the paint for trim and accent.

What is your objective?

Before you make a paint selection, you need to think of your objectives. Do you want your house to stand out from the others on the street? Do you want it to look larger? Alternatively, do you want it to seem smaller? Take note; lighter wall colors will make your home look larger and darker colors will visually reduce it in size. However, this does not necessarily mean you should paint your house white or a light color as lighter colors also make a home look flimsy, while darker colors give it a strong and solid look.

Even so, the trim color actually makes or breaks the color scheme. Painting the trim the same color as the walls can make the home seem a bit Bland. On the other hand, dark or trim, especially around windows and doors can give the features a framed effect, where the windows look like pictures hung on a wall.

Of course, keeping the trim lighter than the walls is usually the safer solution. As a rule, gutters downspouts and other elements should have the same pain as a trim color. This helps them disappear into the background.

The accent color gives the exterior paint that POP. This slight bit of contrasting color gives the home life in an otherwise muted color scheme. Another reason to use a contrast or analogous color as an accent color is that it draws the viewer's attention to these interesting features.

Where to Put Accent Colors?

The most important visual features of your exterior of the home are the front doors, shutters, and window frames.

Match the Paint Scheme to the Home’s Architectural Style

A very important consideration when choosing the color scheme of the exterior of the home is the overall architecture of the house and the style of the neighborhood. While you may want to paint the walls pink and use white accents, if your home sits in a historical neighborhood this action might make it stick out like a sore thumb. Historic architectural styles always look best in their original color schemes. Colonial homes were often quite colorful on the inside but very reserved on the outside, whereas Victorian homes are thought of as the “Painted Ladies,” sometimes showing off as many as six colors. However, making several colors look good on this type of home takes a professional color specialist and extra time to check and verify all color combinations. It is often easier when you just use three colors in your color palette.

Early 20th century American homes where a bit darker and Earthier in color. They use deep Browns, hunter green and red oxides. Homeowners often like this color scheme for their exterior paint.

If you are still unsure, look through historical documents and pictures to see what the conventional house colors were for homes built like yours. Take advantage of this information and use a similar color scheme.  You can also take note from other houses in your area. Look around and see what colors you like. Just remember, that there is no reason why you can't change up the color so long as the three colors you do choose blend well together. Your house can have its own personality and style.

Try Before You Decide

Once you make a basic color choice try it out on the house. Don't ever buy a gallon of paint ad base your decision from the color chip you find in the store. Purchase a small quart of paint in the color you want and try them out on a small spot of the wall before you commit to a definite color scheme. Ask your professional painter to apply small swatches of the three colors you have chosen. This way you can see them together and better determine if they blend.

Finally

​Before you make your final decision, ask your painting contractor for his opinion. Remember, he paints all types of houses, all kinds of colors, so be sure to ask for his advice. Then base your decision on your own taste combined with his more professional opinion.