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Choosing the Right Color
When it comes to finding the best exterior paint for your home, it’s important to choose a color that captures your personal style, but it’s also key that it complement the architecture of the house. “Choosing exterior color schemes can be a challenging but rewarding experience,” says Sara McLean, color expert at Dunn-Edwards Paints. But where to begin? McLean suggests collecting inspirational images of homes you like, strolling through your neighborhood to see which exterior colors you’re drawn to the most, and even analyzing the landscaping and “hardscaping” (wood, stucco, brick, and stone) that surrounds your house to determine which shades will look best with them. Here, we pinpoint seven popular house colors that work well with many types of homes.
Gray
Troy Mock
Gray’s sophisticated mix of modern and timeless style makes it natural choice for exteriors. Whether you choose a pale fog or a deep charcoal, trim gray houses with crisp white woodwork. For a little pizzaz, punctuate the color scheme with a bright door—red, orange, yellow, turquoise, or lime green.
Putty
Design: Witt Construction, Inc.
/ Photo: Randall Perry Photography
Putty is the new neutral for home exteriors—you’ll spot it everywhere if you start to look. For style that stands out, paint the woodwork a different color. For a subtle contract opt for fresh white paint for trim and shutters. If you prefer a high drama look, try black or deep brown for the woodwork instead.
Blue
Zillow Digs home on Bainbridge Island, WA
Blue homes exude a nautical spirit, whether or not you actually live by the water. Especially popular in home design these days is a deep, gray-blue exterior framed with white trim. Blue paint is naturally suited for homes with red brick patios, pavers, or pathways.
Related: Refresh Your Home with 8 Easy Outdoor Paint Projects
Sage
Take a tour around neighborhoods across the United States, and you’ll notice sage green is cropping up everywhere. The hue works especially well on homes surrounded by lush gardens as it complements many shades in the green family and provides a wonderful backdrop for bright flowers.
Related: Before and After – DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors
Yellow
The appeal of yellow homes is easy to understand. They simply capture a joyful charm that few exterior colors can rival. What’s more, this versatile color works equally well with grand Colonial homes or quaint cottages. With yellow, though, there is a danger of going too bright. The most livable shades are slightly muted—think pale lemon or straw.
Related: In Living Color – 7 Tips for Brightening Your Home’s Palette
Purple
flickr.com / via opacity
Purple may seem like an unusual color choice for your home exterior, but it’s actually a great option, especially for a historical home. Opting for a shade with gray undertones is a good way to make your home stand out from the crowd while retaining a rich sense of architectural tradition.
Red
Design: Bret Franks Construction, Inc. / Photo: Melanie Siegel
If you’re looking to make a statement, red is an attractive choice. While bold, it still manages to look classy rather than brash in its environment. Crisp white woodwork adds energy to this color scheme and keeps the rich hue from appearing too serious.
Related: 9 Color Mistakes Everyone Makes