A well thought off color for the exterior of the house makes so much difference. Unlike in interior painting, it’s more difficult to be adventurous and bold with color choices and palettes for the exterior. This is because the exterior appeals to everyone and while we’re all about not thinking of what others have to say, your exterior can attract buyers if one day, you decide to put your house on sale.
You can paint your house any color you like but the trick to be able to choose your favorite colors is to blend it well with architectural details and materials. Most painting contractors, architects and designers will likely say to start out with the front door and work your way out from there. Here are a few of the best exterior paint colors to use for your home to make it stand out, visually appealing and welcoming.
- All-white homes
If you can never go wrong with black, then white takes the spot next to it for being a perfect color for all house styles including colonial homes. It’s easy and simple and could blend in easily against anything. Many people are wary of using all white on their homes because it’s prone to stains and debris over time but a simple power wash every few months or so can keep it in pristine condition.
White is a stark contrast against nature’s blue and green and repels the sun’s heat too. White is great for bringing out shadows of architectural details that make the house look more stunning especially during sunsets. If you do decide to add accent colors, white is a good background to any color choice. Bright colors for front doors and shutters will stand out and even black and gray roofs will benefit from the cleanliness of white.
- Navy Blue
If you’re on the hunt for a color that’s neutral but not too bland, navy blue is an elegant and sexy color that will add drama you your home without being offensive and overbearing. It’s a color that is neither too bland nor exuberant so it gives you lots of flexibility in choosing accent colors to pair it with. It’s like your favorite navy blue denim jeans that you use for all occasions.
Navy blue goes well with white trims and a bold door color such as red or keep it natural with a stained wood door. One thing to take note of is that darker house colors tend to fade and turn chalky quicker than neutral colors. It is better suited for ares with mild and cool climates since it absorbs more heat. If you’re still decided on using this beautiful color, make sure you get a good quality paint that will make the color last longer.
- Sage Green
A darker shade of green like emerald or forest green may not just sit well with everyone. Save those colors for the interior and use sage green instead. Like navy blue, it’s a color that’s neither garish nor dull. It’s a great color choice if you’re torn between adding color to your house or sticking with earthy neutrals.
Sage is such a good neutral that it goes well with natural stone facades, dark wood, gray and dark-colored roof. For accent colors, add in a pop of navy blue, a darker shade of sage green, red orange, white, brown and taupe. Just from the many possibilities of color combinations, you can already see that sage is a flexible color.
- Gray
There’s something about gray that designers, architects and homeowners would agree on: it’s perfect whether it’s used outside or inside of the house. It’s a good and safe option for those who want to add color but be on good terms with their homeowners association.
Gray shades that have cooler undertones will look more bluish or greenish and warmer grays will look more yellow or orange or brown. If your home has beautiful vintage details, keep the color palette simple using varying shades of gray. A neutral chartreuse and lemon yellow would serve as good accent colors for more modern homes. Chocolate brown and dove gray are also good color combinations. Gray goes well with a lot of colors but if you want something simple, fresh and clean, go with white accents and pastel colors like mint green or an aqua blue.
- Taupe
Taupe is a color that’s a mixture of brown and gray, otherwise called greige by some designers. It’s a color that can be used in any climate or area. Taupe, however, despite being a neutral, can be a tricky shade to work with. It can come off as too dull or dark in different times of the day, when painted on large surfaces.
To counter this, take several samples of taupe. There are taupe shades that are warmer. Pick one that’s a natural taupe. Take an appropriate-sized wooden board, prime it and then paint the sample. Have a look at it in different times of the day and see whether you can visualize it as your facade color. For shade inspiration, look to your house’s material such as beige or sand colored stone. You want to pick a shade of taupe that is close to that color. Creamy off-whites work well with taupe and so does charcoal gray and black.
- Black
If in doubt, wear black. This saying has been passed on to many generations and still holds true. A black iPhone, a black Porsche, the Little Black Dress or that Black house because why not?
While it isn’t for everyone, a well-designed landscape will soften this color. Gray stone elements and medium to light wood tones. Add in muted yellow-green and barn red accents to break the color. Like navy blue, not all regions would benefit from a black colored house. It is best suited for cooler climates.
- Red
Red is one of the trickiest colors to work with whether it’s inside or outside of the home. Designers advise to use shades of red with brown undertones like crimson and burgundy. To avoid making it look like a farmhouse (not that that’s bad), pair it with orange wood tones and darker gray or black accents, chocolate browns and tans.
Choosing colors for your house exterior can be more difficult than picking out a palette for the interiors. But like the great architects, don’t shy away from color. Consult color experts if you have to and get the color that you want without having to get in trouble with you homeowners association.
Author Bio
Maria H. is very passionate about everything concerning home design and renovations. She is in a constant search of new ideas and trends of home interior and exterior innovative solutions. Maria is Brand & Partnership Manager at https://deckerdecks.com/.