Best of 2010 – #3 – Choosing Exterior Colors for your Home

Entry #369, December 29, 2010

Best of 2010 – #3

Choosing Exterior Colors for your Home

We continue with the Best of 2010 on Stagetecture. From December 27 – December 31st I am counting down the top 5 blog posts on Stagetecture. These are based on the posts that received the most views from you, my readers.

This post isn’t a surprise to me that it is in the top 3. Exterior home colors is a tough decision and one that many homeowners have to live with for a long time. In 2010 I tried to arm you with simple ways to narrow down the decisions for choosing home exterior colors. From each year for now on.. this post will always be popular!

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Original Entry #216, July 18, 2010

When choosing colors for your home we tend to put more emphasis on the interior than the exterior.  I think the rationale is that you spend the majority of your time inside, and that’s where you really ‘live’.  While this is true, the flip side is that the curb appeal and how well your home presents itself reflects on you and the neighbors, am I right?   Here’s some tips to consider when choosing exterior paint color for your home.

1.) Surrounding homes:

Depending on your neighborhood and the home owner’s association (if yours has one) – the exterior of your home should follow a color palette that compliments the surrounding homes.  This doesn’t mean that it has to be a cookie cutter replica of the other 10 houses on the street.  Walk, or drive down your street and observe your neighborhood.

Ask yourself these questions, and take down notes:

• Is my neighborhood historic or traditional? Does it have to follow guidelines and color schemes of a particular period in time?
• What are the age of these homes and are the older homes repainting with new colors?
• Do the majority of houses follow a common color theme? Do they show individuality by painting their front door, garage door, or accent trim of their house different colors to set them apart?

2.) Roof Material:

Unless you plan on re-roofing your home – the color you choose on your house needs to compliment the roof color. This doesn’t mean if you have orange terracotta  tiles, that you have to have a yellow exterior house color.  What it should mean is when you are choosing colors, the orange terracotta needs to have a color that won’t compete with the strong roof color. Opting for white, beige, or even pale peach may be your options.

3.) Consider Geography:

Depending on where you live in the world, geographic location should play into your exterior house color decision.  Homes that are located in the tropics tend to have more playful bright colors than up north, where color cues from nature are chosen.  Visit your local home improvement or paint store to see if they have paint combinations already chosen for exteriors.  While you  don’t have to go with these combinations, they are strong suggestions on how to pick trim, main color and secondary colors. You may be surprised on how easy the selection process becomes, when you are armed with options!

The most important tip about choosing exterior paint color is to be mindful of  the conditions that you can’t change. Conditions such as neighbors, location, and traditional styles have already been set for you.  There is a plethora array of color choices for you and your home.  Observe your neighborhood, and head off to the paint store!

For more exterior ideas, on Stagetecture click here.