Before you paint the exterior of your house, take advantage of these 5 Tips for Picking Exterior Paint Colors. When choosing an exterior paint color for your home, you want to strike a balance between being almost bland and being the house that becomes a topic of (mocking) conversation; tan may be too boring, but black or pink could create the wrong impression. You’re probably not considering either of those two extremes, of course, but choosing a color that captures the aura and impression you want can be a challenge.

These 5 tips for picking exterior paint colors will help guide you through the decision-making process so that you find a color that you love and that complements the other features of your home.

Exterior House Color Tip #1 – Complement the Landscaping

The color you choose should complement the landscaping in your garden. The colors of your trees, flowers, and shrubbery can vary greatly, from trees with bright blossoms to bushes with red or green hues, so choose colors that harmonize with the landscape of your yard.

Exterior House Color Tip #2 – Your Home’s Existing Features

Your home already has some features whose colors can’t be changed, such as the roof tiles, brick or stone detailing, the driveway, and the chimney. A neutral paint color can serve as a backdrop to your home’s dramatic features such as its terra cotta tiles, wood shutters, or brick facade. On the other hand, if your home already has a predominant neutral color, such as a brown roof, perhaps choose a bright color as contrast for the trim, or colors that blend well with what’s already there.

Exterior House Color Tip #3 – Scale Affects Color Perception

Those tiny paint samples in the store don’t always give a clear idea of what an entire home will look like in that color. Be aware that bright colors might look brighter, and dark colors darker, when they are painted on a large scale throughout your home’s exterior.

Exterior House Color Tip #4 – Be a Good Neighbor

Unfortunately, as much as you love a color, in some cases it might not fit in with the rest of your neighborhood. If at least one of your colors is similar (but not identical!) to the colors on nearby homes, your house is likely to fit in better and appear more attractive.

Exterior House Color Tip #5 – Patient For Your Preference

No matter how well a color ‘matches’ your yard or neighborhood, it should still be one that you enjoy and find attractive. If you feel that your favorite colors are incompatible with the above features, take extra time when exploring color samples to find an alternative that works for you.

Some Additional Thoughts

Beyond using these five tips to pick an exterior paint color for your home, also take care in choosing the brand and type of paint so that you don’t have to repaint often. Be certain the paints and stains you choose are designed for outdoor use. As you do your research, remember that when it comes to paint, a higher up-front cost may save you money in the long run.

The final consideration when choosing exterior paint is selecting an environmentally friendly paint. Modern paints come in low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) varieties and with other eco-friendly features. Identify several paint brands that meet your qualifications before looking at color samples. This way, you know each available color meets your requirements for functionality and environmental safety.

If you’ve chosen your colors and you’re ready to paint, be sure to take advantage of two of our how-to videos:

• How to Paint a House – Exterior Paint Preparation
• How to Paint a House – Prime, Caulk and Paint