Choosing home exterior paint colors can feel like an impossible task for many people. Walls of paint chips in your local home improvement store don’t help. But when you look at your home’s curb appeal as a whole, including landscaping and hardscaping, you can start building a cohesive palette.
Bella Vista is the go-to paint contractor for homes and businesses in the Vancouver and Portland metro areas. We know and love the Pacific Northwest weather, and we make sure your home’s paint job is ready for it. Connect with us today for your free estimate.
Building a Cohesive Look for Your Home’s Exterior Paint Colors
Creating a coordinated aesthetic for your home’s exterior may feel daunting with so many things to consider. But it is simple when you keep a few crucial things in mind. Here are seven tips for coordinating home exterior paint colors for a beautiful result.
1. Pay attention to your home’s architecture.
The architectural style of your house can go a long way in helping you choose an overall color scheme. There are many different home styles throughout the Vancouver and Portland metro neighborhoods, and each can call for a different palette.
Here are a few common architectural styles and the colors that work well for them:
- Contemporary – With a focus on geometry and aesthetics, contemporary homes look great with steel-toned blues and grays. And to highlight interesting forms and details, warm bronze and copper make fantastic accents.
- Victorian – These houses are famous for a lot of exterior colors. Pink, red, and blue are common eye-catching hues for these houses. While San Francisco is home to the most well-known Painted Ladies, Portland has quite a few, as well.
- Craftsman – This style has an earthy, grounded feel. Muted greens, cream, and wood accents look wonderful on Craftsman homes.
- Farmhouse – These simple, lovely homes invoke bygone times. The most traditional exterior paint combo is white siding with one bold accent color, usually black. But a soft yellow can also look great on a farmhouse.
- Ranch – Most ranch homes are wide, one-level structures. Because these structures take up such a large footprint, bold colors can be overwhelming. Muted tones work best for the body of the house, with bolder colors for trim and accents.
2. Consider your neighboring homes.
Your neighbor’s color choices don’t dictate yours. However, it is a good idea to consider the overall neighborhood feel when choosing paint colors. Your home’s exterior probably isn’t the right place to display your love of the Miami Dolphins with aqua and orange paint.
Homes that look drastically different from others on the street can be an eyesore. And going wild with your colors compared to your neighbors can potentially bring the whole street’s home values down.
Aside from raising eyebrows with an unusual paint choice, you may violate HOA rules. Many homeowners associations have guidelines and processes for picking exterior colors, so be sure to check if there are any restrictions.
3. Pay attention to your landscaping and hardscaping.
The style and color of your landscaping play a crucial role in exterior paint selection. Do you have a meticulously-groomed yard with precise plantings? Or do you have a playful, colorful burst of wildflowers? Is your topography coastal, desert, or wooded? Considering your landscape will help you choose a color scheme that will create a cohesive look.
Additionally, keep your hardscaping and roof in mind as you pick colors. Since your roof, patio, walkway, and other structures will likely stay the same for a while, they must be part of the equation.
4. Consider the weather and sunlight.
Your exterior paint will look different depending on the weather. While bold colors may look cheerful in gray, rainy climates, they can be harsh in direct sunlight.
The Pacific Northwest is notorious for clouds and rain, but the reality is that we are getting more and more dry, sunny days now, too. When testing color samples, try to view them at various times of day and in different types of weather.
The direction your home faces can help you select paint colors, too. North-facing homes get less direct sunlight and can handle bolder hues. However, South-facing houses get a lot of sunlight, so softer colors work better.
5. Take advantage of pre-selected color combinations.
Typically, homeowners choose three colors for their exterior paint jobs: body, accent, and trim. Larger homes may even use more. If this level of coordination has you searching for a rock to hide behind, peruse color combos that professionals have already created.
Paint stores and professional painting contractors typically have pre-selected combinations that look beautiful and remove the guesswork. Talk with your painting team about your options and their recommendations. Experienced painters have a good feel for what colors work well together and what mistakes to avoid.
6. Have some fun!
Yes, you want a cohesive look. Yes, you want to fit the overall vibe of your neighborhood. But it’s still your home and a fabulous canvas to work with in the way you want. You can still add a great deal of personality, color, and fun to your home’s exterior without creating the house your neighbors talk about…in the wrong way.
Here are our favorite ways to showcase your personality without going overboard on the whole-house color:
- Front Door – Your home’s front door is excellent for experimenting with big pops of color. You can create a significant visual impact without overwhelming the whole look and feel of the house. And it’s a fairly quick and simple project when you want to change the door color again.
- Pottery and Decor – Planters, fountains, benches, and more can add a lot of visual interest to your curb appeal. These items are generally easy to swap out when you want a different look, and they can add bright, bold colors to your home’s appearance.
7. Hire a professional paint contractor.
Exterior paint is one of the most significant investments in your home, so it’s crucial to do it right. Not only can a professional help you choose a great color scheme for your house, but they will also ensure the job is well-done.
Professional painters cover all the bases for this big task, including preparation and clean-up. They also know how to protect your plants, yard, and hardscaping so that you get the best result possible.
Reliable, Expert Painters at Your Service
The Bella Vista team is proud of the work we do. As a local, family-owned business, we provide the best possible service to our community. Our crews are friendly, reliable, and ready to tackle your project. Connect with us today to get a bid and claim your spot on our schedule.
