9 Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

According to designers, there are several elements that should factor into your decision when choosing exterior house colors. More of a long-term commitment than indoor paint, your choice of an exterior paint color can help to elevate your home's curb appeal.

We spoke to interior designers for tips on what you should consider, including color palettes, interior coordination, and much more. If you're preparing to paint your home in the near future, read on to discover their advice.

Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Consider Neighboring Houses

Step outside and take a look at the character and paint colors of neighboring homes. This can be useful whether you're looking to have your house blend in with neighbors' homes or if you'd prefer to make a statement.

"If there are a bunch of white and gray homes, then a navy blue could be a nice color to stand out," says Linda Hayslett, designer at LH.Designs. "That way, you don't look too similar to other homes in your area."

9 Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

Harmonize With Your Interiors

While scoping out the neighborhood can be helpful, you'll also want to evaluate your interiors. "Look to the inside of your home to see what would go with the exterior paint choice," Hayslett says. "It's nice to have a cohesive feel with the interior when it comes to an exterior color."

After all, your exterior paint color is what makes a first impression. "It helps set the narrative," Hayslett states. For example, she adds, "If you have dark greens throughout your house, then considering something in that family will make your exterior really feel homier."

Test Color Swatches

As Anastasia Casey, founder of IDCO Studio, states, you won't want to commit to an exterior paint color without giving it a test run first.

"Exterior paint colors often appear several shades lighter when applied to the entire house," she says. "Make sure to test paint swatches and check them throughout the day as the sun shifts."

Creating a mockup that showcases your exterior paint before it is applied is also essential, says Lauren Sullivan, founder and principal designer of Well x Design. "Seeing everything together first in a small section makes it much easier to visualize and make adjustments—rather than after you've had your entire home painted in a color that doesn't quite work," she explains.

Choose a Color Palette

Choosing a color palette is a fun process that allows you to personalize the look of your exterior. First, choose a dominant color for your exterior walls, be it white, black, gray, or any other color. When choosing an exterior paint color, consider how it looks with your existing roof color and style.

Next, choose a contrasting or complementary shade for window and door trim. Then choose an accent color to highlight features such as doors, shutters, porch ceilings, or other architectural details.

If you are renovating a new house, your architect and interior designer can help you to come up with color palette options to ensure a harmonious result. If you're doing it yourself, you can find suggested color pairings and palettes online.

Consider Architectural Style

A classic combination for an older home such as a Colonial house might be a white house with black shutters and a red front door. Or you can pair two shades of green, blue, or another color on the main walls and trim for a tonal look.

If your home has modern, clean lines, you can limit your color palette to just one or two colors for a more contemporary, minimalist feel.

An ornate Victorian house might be painted in complementary or contrasting shades of green, yellow, blue, pink, purple, and any other color of the rainbow. But to keep your home from looking too busy, it's generally best to stick to a maximum of three different shades.

Check Out Your Surroundings

Hayslett finds it helpful to closely examine the surrounding landscape. "Depending on what the natural elements are, you can use the colors of plants and scenery to help determine if you want the exterior to blend in to nature, or pop and stand out," she says.

"A home in the desert could blend in with a nice creamy sand color or a house could stand out in the mountains, with a nice rich black exterior paint color to go with the thick of the woods and branches."

Reflect on the Local Climate

The climate in your region can also determine which colors you choose. For example, you may want to opt for darker colors in cooler regions and lighter colors in warmer regions, which could ultimately save you money when it comes to air conditioning and heating the house.

In humid climates, you may want to seek out special types of paint for mildew resistance. There are also paints out there designed to better resist rain, which could be crucial in area that experiences heavy precipitation.

Think About Timeless Colors

While it may be tempting to lean into trends, opting for timeless colors could help you find an exterior paint color that stands the test of time. Here are a few timeless colors that have outlasted trends for you to consider:

• White
• Light gray
• Beige or khaki
• Navy blue
• Earth tones

Factor in Home Material

Finally, don't forget to consider the materials that make up your home. Some colors complement some materials more than others. For example, off-white and warm grey can elevate red brick, while classics like black, white, and dark navy pair well with stone.