I’ve written frequently on the topic of interior paint colors for the post & beam home, however other than once back in the spring of ‘09, I’ve not discussed exterior paint color options. You’d think this time of year would not be the right time to cover this topic, but this is exactly the time to think about it and here’s why. Whether you’re in the northeast, the southwest or any other locale, your home’s appearance changes with the seasons; and winter is the harshest of all conditions in respect to color. Winter light is duller, colder and far less forgiving than the warm tones of spring, summer and fall. If your paint or stain color looks great in winter, it will look great in all the seasons! So get out there and assess the situation. If something looks less than you think it should; read on as I’m here to suggest ways to make the exterior color of your home look fabulous all year round.
The age and style of your home are but two things to consider when choosing an exterior color. The owner of this eco-style house stuck with a natural wood texture and color for the exterior.
The following are five things to consider when choosing a paint or stain color for your home.
Please read more after the jump.
1. Architecture of Your Home:
Let’s face it; this is the single biggest factor (or should be) when choosing an exterior paint color. If you’re in a home that can be easily categorized as a certain style, don’t mess with the standard.
Period homes such as Colonials always look best in historical colors; you‘d be hard pressed to go wrong if you used one of the historical paint colors from the following companies: Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, Cabot, Pratt & Lambert or Ralph Lauren. By all means visit their websites, but please take my advice and go to your local dealer. I don’t care how good your monitor is; when choosing paint color you need to see it in person!
Two contrasting colors were used on this front door. This focuses your eye on the beautiful Georgian style trim surrounding the front door.
As a rule, Greek Revivals were typically white (often with black or green shutters). If you want a variation while remaining true to the style, use white or off-white on the wide trim and a neutral color such as taupe or a weathered gray on the siding. Your front door could be a deeper tone of the siding or a third color (such as red).
Notice how the red door gives this Greek Revival a cheerful demenour even though it's winter.
This Greek Revival uses taupe and off white with a navy blue front door to show off it's architectural features.
2. Geographical Location of Your Home:
Harsh & snowy (Northeast, Midwest, Rockies) or Gray and Rainy (Northwest, southeast) to name but a few. No matter the location, considerations such as weather and quality of light should play a prominent role when choosing an exterior home color. For example, in snowy areas I like to see a splash of color. Something about the building should stand out; that’s why you often see a vibrant color such as red used in many snow-belt areas (see Greek Revival photo above or my barn home, below). However, that punch of color doesn’t need to be an entire house, it can be a barn, an outbuilding or a door. Achieving contrast, even if it’s just a small burst of color, is the key to making the building attract attention amid all the snow and cold winter light.
You knew I'd slip a picture of my carriage house in somewhere!
In the gray and rainy climates such as the Northwestern region of the U.S., you might think I’d like to see color. While this is true on occasion (such as if the home is from an older period), I often prefer to see the exterior color of homes in this area mimic the terrain (earth tones); particularly if the home is a modern style. In such places many of the homes are newer and their architecture is often very angular, employing jut-outs, geometric angles and a large amount of glass. When you use more than one or two colors or too bright a palette, the structure ends up looking awkward and out of place.
This house employs the natural earth elements in it's stain colors as well as it's use of shingle and stone sidings.
3. Different Siding Will Produce Different Looks:
Ruff sawn wood will absorb a stain or paint very differently than sanded or finished wood, and both will look different than shingles or the newer cement composite siding. Always make certain to do a test patch, preferably on a piece of unused siding, before you begin your project. If that’s not possible, choose a small concealed spot on which to try out your stain or paint.
4. Use of Trim Color(s):
This is the place to exercise restraint. The old adage “More Is Better” does not apply here. You can never go wrong using all one color on a house, trim included, then adding your contrasting color by painting the front door. Particularly if your house is either newer or has many angles and/or various size windows. One color unifies (and covers a multitude of “sins”) because your eye sees the overall effect instead of a particular thing (please see red barn home above).
Many people would opt for a lighter color trim, but these owners painted the siding and trim the same shade of deep olive. Only one contrasting color is used - on the door - for a less pronounced, but more stunning, effect.
5. Roof Color & Material:
Roof color matters when choosing an exterior color for your home, believe me. I was recently involved in a project where the owners of a gorgeous barn home had a bright green metal standing-seam roof. Great roof, however it’s color dictated the color palette for the house. Our only good color option was a shade of warm taupe. While taupe is one of my favorite colors, having no other choice was very restricting and no fun at all. Thankfully, most of us have a nice benign roof color that, like the little black dress, will go with anything!
This is a good example of a green metal roof that works. It's finish is matte as opposed to a high shine and it's green color is deep and muted. Well Done!
Please check back soon as I’ll be revisiting the topic of interior and exterior paint colors in future posts.
Nice post. I look forward to reading more of your blog.