Inspiring exteriors foreshadow what we will find on the homes interior and also are a reflection of our own unique and personal styles.
When we begin to plan our colours for the exterior of our homes, we must first consider the fixed elements of the home. These are the elements that are not likely to be changed, such as the brick/stone, siding and roof. All these elements must be incorporated into our colour scheme. A charcoal gray shingle for example could have flecks of gray-green or gray-blue that could be found on a paint colour strip or incorporated into the colour scheme. We also want to take into account the feel of our neighbourhood and those homes around us. Remember we don’t want to be the “Pink” house that lived next door to us for 20 years.
This is our opportunity to make a great first impression.
General Rule of thumb is to utilize no more than three colours on your exterior colour scheme.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Don’t overlook interesting architectural detailing as it can often sparkle and be highlighted with a contrasting or accent colour.
Photo By: Jennifer Boomer / Getty Images
Design: Fixer Upper
Be observant: Take the time and drive through various neighbourhoods, established and new, to see colour live. Make notes and even snap photos of appealing colour schemes and consider how to utilize them on your own home. This also becomes integral when building a new home, as it helps you visualize what your choices will look like in the end. If you’re building new or adding on to your home, consider all the shapes and sizes of brick as a way to accent your homes main colour choice
Colour/paint is the most cost-effective approach. This is assuming no structural work is required and a change in colour can instantly upgrade the appearance of a home and bring curb appeal to our exteriors.
Define the entryway by using colour as the initial WELCOME SPACE. Remember we want the Front Door to do the talking, not the garage door! It’s OK to pick just one element that stands out in your exterior colour schemes and more often than not, the best choice is the front door. The reason is aesthetic as well as practical: A bright hue is a signal to visitors where to enter.
Always examine when choosing the colour with colour samples outdoors, at various angles and different times of the day. Consider buying small testers of desired colours and paint a section of the house where body, trim and accent colours can be viewed together. Remember colours appear much brighter and more intense outdoors due to lighting changes therefore; pay attention to details, specifically the intensity of the sun. Intense sun washes out colours, so brighter colours are suitable in sunny areas but might stand out like a sore thumb in northern locations.
Remember, landscaping must be a part of the thought process. Flowering shrubs and seasonal plantings bring colours which must be considered as well; so as not to clash with the exterior colour choices. Choosing colour also becomes important depending on the landscape surrounding your home. If your home is surrounded by natural landscape with many trees as the backdrop; you may wish to choose colours that either make your home recede into the background and become a part of the landscape or you may wish to choose colour that allows the house to standout and accent the style of your home.
Image / Design: Studio McGee
This is the time to become inspired and showcase your style on the exterior of your home.