3 Tips For Selecting Your Home's Exterior Paint Color

24 February 2022
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There are several approaches to deciding on a paint color for your home. At one end of the scale, you can throw caution to the wind and choose whatever color makes you the happiest. On the other side of things, you can hire a professional consultant to help you select a color combination that will work perfectly for your house, neighborhood, and needs.

Of course, most people opt for something in the middle. You probably don't want to pick the first color that comes to mind, but you also might not care about getting your home on the cover of any magazines. If you're looking for a way to quickly and easily choose a great color scheme for the exterior painting of your home, these three tips will help you out without requiring a degree in color theory.

1. Don't Stop With Paint Chips

Paint chips aren't a perfect way to select paint for your home, although they're often a reasonable first step. The problem with chips is that they only offer a relatively small amount of color, and you're typically viewing them in the incorrect setting. You need to be particularly careful with exterior paint, where harsh and direct sunlight can make colors look very different.

One option is to request a drawdown from the store. These are similar to paint chips, but larger and produced directly from the color you need rather than from ink. As a result, they provide more accurate colors that are easier to see in their natural environment. Taking a few drawdowns to your house can be an excellent way to decide between several similar color shades.

2. Take Your Time

If possible, you may want to also consider painting one or more colors onto the side of your house and observing them over several days. Although this can be a long process that will leave you looking at some ugly splotches for a few days, it can also be incredibly instructive. This period will allow you to observe multiple colors throughout the day in natural light.

It's critical not to rush this process since you want to get a feel for how each color will look in varying conditions, such as full sun or on an overcast afternoon. You may discover a color you didn't like looks far more striking in its correct environment.

3. Consider Age and Style

Finally, it's crucial to think about the age and style of your home. Adding contemporary colors to a classically-styled home can add interesting contrast, but it can also clash. If you're going to take this approach, be sure to test several options and make sure you're happy with the results. If in doubt, spend some time looking at similarly styled homes in your neighborhood.

Ultimately, you don't have to be an expert (or hire one) to choose a perfect exterior color for your home. By taking your time and considering numerous options, you'll find a style that you can enjoy for many years to come.