How to Choose the Right Exterior Color

ikwewe I just like aqua and wanted to bring back that tradition in my historic neighborhood in Florida. My house is much newer (1963) than the historic houses, but it does date to that mid-century colorful style. Screen porch will be re-done with white columns and railings. We are just starting to work on that.

rod handler Very important is the orientation of the facade. The black Victorian house (which is actually a dark graphite color) is in my neighborhood and faces north. That color would look out of place if the same house faced south, unless is was shaded by large trees. When a house is oriented toward the sun, deep colors and jewel tones will look awkward. Medium to light colors will look better.
Also consider paint finish. Different sheens make a huge difference.

aprilis1960 I am looking a the weathered gray you see on the coast for the cedar shingles on my houzz. Right now it is a weird beige. I am not a beige kinda girl. If anyone has any paint chip ideas falling into that coastal washout look, pass 'em on....

ikwewe Aprilis, if you can come by a weathered piece of wood, you can take it to the paint store and have it matched. I wonder how that would come out? Driftwood, your own original color!

The Color People The essence of making the exterior of a house beautiful is to make sure first of all the all of the elements bled together- even if you want some to stand apart. A house is a WHOLE, never forget that. The place to start is with the given colors, those colors you cannot change, the masonry, the roof and the like. In the yellow house for instance, choose a house a yellow that works with the gray metal. Now you have the stucco part and the metal part, it is not a whole. Next you want to choose colors that will fit with the neighbor hood. Being radically different will not make your house of the whole neighborhood look better. It will simply bring down the property value of everyone's home, yours included. Look at the black house. Can you tell me anyone wants to live next to a black house?

Andrew Jackson Downing, taste maker for the 19th Century's words still hold true, " A house should fit its locale and blend into the nature around it." He hated white, " it harsh, glaring effect looks uncomfortable in any situation." I would have to amend that to neighborhoods of colonial revival homes most likely need to be white or very light colors. But look at the white house above. It looks like a giant marshmallow have absolutely zero relationship to its surrounding vegetation. It just pops off the ground and looks alien to the land.

The other absolutely essential rule is that your colors and how you use them should always explain the architecture. You will find studying the architecture of the house that the element s of the house have a hierarchy. What is the the main statement? What element do you see first? What is second? What features repeat and tie the whole together. Use color values to modulate what is noticed first, second, third etc as well as the hues you choose. In the duplex above with the chartreuse entry you the whole thing just jumps of the house because the door trim is really part and parcel of the trim package that includes the windows- they are really the same. Painting only the doors in color would retain the overall elegance of the home while retaining the focus and punch that was intended for the doors. One other thing here to make the doors the focus is to always paint doors in a high gloss finish. This adds elegance and a wonderful tactile sense.

workbob Sure like the blue.Victorion. How would it work with a big red barn in the background ? Would it be possible to get the color palate used ? We are repainting this summer. Any suggestions ?

Brenda Bloods oh my word, workbob!!!!! I LOVE YOUR HOUSE!!!! old houses are so fascinating! What state do you live in? that is absolutely amazing. you could paint that any color and it would be outstanding!! :) I think the blue would look fabulous :) Your house, barn, trees and whole setup is jaw dropping. what an awesome set up you have, and how beautifully preserved!

burtondogs I'm totally stuck. I live in the mountains in Panama in a med style stucco house with a maroonish zinc roof. The house is tall but one level and 4000sf. What colors do people suggest to keep it kind of tropical but still get along with the roof color?

ikwewe Lucky you, burtondogs. If you go to the opposite side of the color wheel from your 'maroonish' roof, you are into the sea shades of blue-greens. I love those.

brendec7 I recently (December 2012) purchased a 1959 Florida home in the South Gate section of Sarasota. Most (if not all!) of the homes here are as they were built in the 50s and 60s. I have attached 2 photos of my home as it looks now. I have plans to paint the exterior and trim and need help! I like the historical look of these houses but not sure I want mint ice cream green or flamingo pink! I am leaning toward a yellow shade...or maybe salmon? Not sure if I should stick to the white for the trim. (The window trim will remain white.) Any suggestions?? Thanks for your assistance!

ikwewe brendec7, around here, Space Coast Florida, we see many shades of yellow, and quite a few shades of pale green. There are some pinks and a few blues. I chose aqua (first post above) which is less common. The contractor said it reminded him of Miami blue. The four houses adjacent to mine are white with brown trim, and mine was too, before I painted it. That was pretty boring. I would go with one of the less common choices, but you have to do what is comfortable for you. If you like salmon, why not give it a try?

cutemonster I bought a double wide mobile cottage on a lake. I painted the exterior dark purple with white trim and now I need to change it. Any suggestions what colour would work over this purple paint?

Dandridge Dede Keyser Davis it make all the difference!