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Are you looking to revamp the color of your house?
First impressions are everything, and that’s the same for curb appeal. To make a good impression, your home must look great outside and inside.
The color of your house can make a real statement. But with so many choices on the market, it can be hard to know where to start.
Don’t worry! Read on for 5 pro tips for choosing the right house paint schemes.
In This Post:
1. Consider the Architecture
When choosing an exterior paint scheme, you need to consider your home’s architecture. Your paint scheme needs to feel appropriate for the house style. Whether it’s Queen Anne Victorian, Craftsman, or Mid-Century Modern.
Most paint manufacturers carry collections of colors that are historically accurate. To get the most pleasing fit for your style it’s best to stick close to these. But you don’t have to keep it historical unless your neighborhood codes specify.
2. Plan Around Things That Are Hardest to Change
Things like roof shingles, stonework, and path/driveways aren’t easy to change. So take these into consideration when choosing your colors.
Look for undertones you can use to form your palette. Are they warm colors (brown, rust, beige)? Or are they cool (blue, gray, black)? Understanding warm and cool colors will help as they achieve different effects.
3. Decide What Visual Effect You Want
Look at the relationship of your home with your landscaping and the street around you. Are you sitting back from the road? Are you surrounded by a large cluster of towering trees?
If so, you might want to opt for a lighter, brighter color scheme so that your house stands out. If you’re in a rocky, sandy area, darker hues can help create a stand-out effect against a more barren landscape.
4. Pick Several Paint Shades
There are three parts to an exterior color scheme:
- Field — the dominant color
- Accent — ties in doors, shutters, and other small areas
- Trim — ties in door/window frames, roof edges, railings and trims
Trim color should have a strong contrast with your field color. Though for more modern looks, designers favor 1 or 2 colors for simplicity.
So, if you’re opting for a dark field color use a pale trim. Light field colors can make a real statement with dark trims. Think of it as eyeliner for your home. You want a crisp, drama-filled effect.
Go bold with accent colors, but make sure it still ties in. A bright red door adds a nice pop of color. Adding red to the railings and the windows though is going too far!
5. Test the Paint Colors
Once you select your colors don’t rely on your paint chips. While they’re convenient indicators, what you see in the square inch block could vary wildly one applied to your house.
Get tester pots of your chosen colors and apply them to an area of your home no one will see. Then check them in different levels of daylight.
Bring in the help of a professional, if you’re not sure. A local house painter will have seen homes of all styles in your area. They’ll have a host of palette ideas to make use of.
House Paint Schemes Made Easy
So there you have it! By following these 5 tips, you’ll be sure to find house paint schemes to suit your home.
Remember to stay true to the style of your home. The goal is to create one cohesive color scheme where everything works in harmony.
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