Choosing the right color scheme for your home’s exterior is a big decision that can greatly affect your home’s overall appearance and curb appeal. A well-chosen color scheme can make your home stand out, while a poorly chosen one can make it blend into the background.
Let’s go over some tips on choosing the right color scheme for your home’s exterior.
Consider the Architecture of Your Home
The first step in choosing a color scheme for your home’s exterior is considering its architecture. Different styles of homes lend themselves to other color schemes. For example, a Victorian-style home might look great with bright, bold colors, while a traditional home might look better with muted colors.
You should also consider the materials used in your home’s exterior. Brick, stone, and wood all have different colors and textures that can affect the overall look of your home. Choose colors that complement these materials rather than clash with them.
Look to Your Surroundings
The colors of your home’s surroundings should also be taken into consideration when choosing an exterior color scheme. The landscape, neighboring homes, and even the color of the sky can all impact how your home looks from the outside.
Choose colors that blend in with the natural surroundings if your home is in a wooded area.
If your home is in a more urban setting, choose colors that make it stand out from the surrounding buildings.
Think About Your Style
Your style should also be considered when choosing an exterior color scheme. If you prefer bold, bright colors, choose a color scheme that reflects that. If you prefer more muted tones, choose a color scheme that reflects that as well.
It’s important to choose a color scheme you’ll be happy with for years. While it is tempting to choose popular trendy colors right now, you should consider whether those colors will still look good in a few years.
Consider the Light
The light in your area can greatly affect the way colors look. Make sure to consider the direction your home faces and the sunlight it receives throughout the day.
If your home faces north, choose warmer colors to offset the cooler light.
If your home faces south, choose cooler colors to offset the warmer light.
Test Your Colors
Before you commit to a color scheme, it’s important to test your colors in different lighting conditions. Take samples of your chosen colors and try them in other areas of your home’s exterior at different times of the day. This will give you a better idea of how the colors will look in different lighting conditions.
Testing your colors against the other colors on your home’s exterior is also a good idea. Ensure that the chosen colors work well together and don’t clash.
Don’t Forget About Accents
The accents on your home’s exterior, such as the front door and shutters, can significantly affect the overall look of your home. Make sure to choose colors for these accents that complement the main color scheme.
For example, if you’ve chosen a neutral color scheme for your home’s exterior, choose a bright, bold color for your front door to make it stand out.
If you’ve chosen a bold color scheme for your home’s exterior, choose more muted colors for your accents to balance the overall look.
Consider the Neighborhood
Your home is part of a larger neighborhood, and it’s important to consider the area’s overall aesthetic when choosing an exterior color scheme. If all the homes in your neighborhood are painted in neutral colors, choosing a bright and bold color scheme is not the best idea. Conversely, a muted color scheme might not fit in if your community is known for its unique and colorful homes.
Choose Colors That Are Easy to Maintain
The colors you choose for your home’s exterior should look great and be easy to maintain. Some colors require more frequent repainting or touch-ups than others.
If you want to spend less time and money maintaining your home’s exterior, choose colors that are easy to clean and maintain.
Consider the Resale Value
While choosing a color scheme you love is important, it’s also essential to consider the potential resale value of your home.
If you plan to sell your home, choosing a neutral color scheme might be a better option, as it appeals to a broader range of buyers.
Take Inspiration from Other Homes
If you need help to come up with a color scheme for your home’s exterior, take inspiration from other homes in your area or online. Look at homes with similar architecture and materials to understand what colors work well together.
You can also look to websites like Pinterest or Houzz for inspiration. These sites have a wealth of information and ideas for home exteriors, including color schemes.
Consider the Season
The season can also play a role in choosing an exterior color scheme. Bright and bold colors work well in the summer but look out of place in the winter.
Consider how your colors will look in different seasons and choose a color scheme that works well year-round.
Incorporate Your Landscaping
Your landscaping can also play a role in choosing an exterior color scheme. If you have a lot of greenery around your home, consider choosing colors that complement the natural colors of your plants and trees.
If you have a lot of colorful flowers, choose a more neutral color scheme for your home’s exterior to avoid clashing with the bright colors of your landscaping.
Choosing the right color scheme for your home’s exterior is a big decision. Still, by considering the architecture of your home, your style, your surroundings, and the light, and testing your colors, you can choose a color scheme you’ll be happy with for years to come.
When deciding, consider the neighborhood, maintenance requirements, resale value, season, and landscaping. With a bit of planning and consideration, you can create a beautiful and cohesive color scheme that will enhance your home’s curb appeal.
