How to Pick an Exterior Paint Color

Crisp, classic white paint and dark green accents make a historical house pop.

Painting the outside of a home provides a dramatic change. Exterior paint colors define the mood of a house. Whether the goal is historic, modern, clean, colonial or even southwestern, the color on a home's exterior sets the tone for the inside as well. Besides the walls, consider the doors, molding, shutters and trim when choosing coordinating colors. Picking a flattering color can refresh a home and increase curb appeal and resale value in the process.

Instructions

1. Examine the design and architecture of your home. Make a note of the details. Write down the year the house was built if you plan on considering historic colors. Consider how many stories the house has, the shape and surrounding landscape. Take a photo of the house from across the street to have a good reference to work from later.

2. 

   Modern houses and windows are better suited to bold, bright colors than traditional houses.

   Make a note of the material the house is made of. Different kinds of exterior paint will adhere to surfaces depending on the material. Elaborate on the color of the roof, windows, and any plants in the yard. Then decide on the overall look for the home. Examples are modern, transitional and traditional. Setting parameters now will keep the task of choosing color from being overwhelming later.

3. Check out the other houses in the neighborhood and make note of the exterior color schemes. See how the neighbors have chosen colors. This will help narrow down the choices. For example, if the neighborhood's standard home colors are beige, a purple house might not be the best idea. Take photos of paint colors that might work on your own home.

4. 

   Paint cards help narrow down color choices and are free at home improvement stores.

   Pick up some color cards and/or a color card deck from a local hardware store. Make a list of all the colors that are appealing. Remember, this will be the home's exterior, so avoid anything too bold. Darker colors should have lighter trim, and reserve dark trim for light colored homes. Make sure the colors reflect earlier choices. Take into consideration the age of the house, the theme you are going for, and the overall compatibility with surrounding landscape and neighborhood. Narrow the list down to the top three favorite colors.

5. Get paint samples. Samples are usually available in two ounce to eight ounce jars for a nominal price. These small jars save big headaches later on. Apply each color to a square on the exterior of the home that isn't noticeable. In the backyard or along the side of the house are good choices. Allow the paint to dry, noting the change in color on the material and how the color looks in the sunlight and in shady areas. Pick the color you like most.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing the exterior paint, keep in mind the climate of your area.

• If unsure of a color, go one shade lighter. Paint often looks darker when dry.

• Some websites now allow you to virtually paint the exterior of your home via an uploaded photo.

• If there's a homeowner's association in the neighborhood, check for restrictions on exterior paint color.

References

• This Old House: Choosing Exterior Colors
• Country Living: Curb Appeal and Paint

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Behr Paint: Color Visualizer