How to Choose Exterior Paint Color Combinations

 

Spring and summer are great times to revamp your home’s exterior with a new paint job. But with so many colors to choose from, it can be difficult to land on a color combination that suits your home and reflects your style. Rainbowkolor’s expert team has the tips you need to help narrow down your options and make this important painting decision with confidence.

Whether you’re choosing the colors for a new building or updating an existing home, it’s important to follow certain guidelines when selecting your paint colors. In addition to the color scheme itself, you’ll also need to consider your roof, natural landscape, and other permanent features. This is true whether you’re trying to blend in with the neighborhood or want your home to stand out.

You should also take into consideration the type of brick or stone that’s in place. This is especially important if your house is old, as your brick or stone may have an undertone that can throw off your body paint color choice. Try to match or come within the same undertone as the brick or stone, and don’t be afraid to add a few shades warmer to make sure you have a good fit.

It’s also a good idea to look at other homes in your neighborhood for inspiration. “Walk around the area and see what colors people have chosen for their homes,” says Morris. “You might be surprised to find that the colors you love in your house are similar to the ones you love on other homes.”

The final step is considering the overall style of your home. For example, traditional decorators will want to stick with warm neutrals and accents that complement the wood and metal details of their home. Meanwhile, transitional and contemporary enthusiasts will likely gravitate toward cool neutrals with charcoal or purple-based black door and shutter colors.

Once you’ve narrowed down the possibilities and selected your preferred palette, it’s time to test your chosen colors. Be sure to get your samples on poster boards, bring them outside, and hold them up in natural light to evaluate how the color will look on your home. This is particularly important because of the way that light can affect paint color—for instance, it can cause some whites to be more blue or yellow than others.