Every year, house painting businesses in the U.S. generate over $31 billion in revenue! Clearly, people are willing to pay a lot of money to make their houses look better.
Are you getting ready to join this group? Are you unsure of which colors or color combinations to use?
Read on for some tips that will help you figure out how to choose exterior paint color combinations that look great on your house and in your neighborhood.
Table of Contents
Why Your Color Palette Matters
Does it really matter what color (or colors) you choose for your house? In short, the answer is yes.
The following are some of the top reasons why your house’s color palette is important:
Sell Your House Faster
If your house has a fresh coat of paint and is painted in an eye-catching color, it’ll be much easier to sell it.
Remember, the exterior paint is one of the first things people will notice when they’re checking out your house. Choosing the right color combination will help you make a great first impression.
Sell Your House for More Money
There’s a good chance you’ll be able to sell your house for more money if you paint it the right colors, too.
Color can have a big impact on the offer a person makes on your home. For example, yellow houses sell, on average, for $3,500 less than homes that are painted in other colors.
Fit in with the Neighborhood
Finally, the color you choose for your home’s exterior can help you to fit in with your neighbors.
You don’t have to have a house that looks identical to theirs, of course. However, if you choose a color that complements theirs, you can make the whole neighborhood look nicer. This, in turn, has to potential to increase property values for everyone in the area.
How to Choose Exterior Paint Color Combinations
Okay, you’re convinced that your house’s paint color matters. How do you know which colors to use, though? Here are some steps to take that will help you choose the right colors and color combinations:
Pick a Shade
Do you want your home’s exterior to be light-colored? Medium? Dark?
Picking a shade first will help you to narrow down your choices before you start looking at different colors.
Look at the Roof and Other Accents
Factor in the roof of your house. Is it black? Brown? Grey?
Look at the roof color first so you can find a paint color that matches and doesn’t clash with it.
Consider the Lighting
How does the light hit your home? If your home gets a lot of sunlight, keep in mind that you’ll need to choose a warmer color.
Daylight will make the paint look cooler. Going warmer will balance it out and ensure you get the right look at all times of the day.
Gather Inspiration
Once you have an idea of the shade you want and the type of lighting your house gets, you can start looking for inspiration.
Websites like Pinterest will be your best friend when it comes to finding colors that work with your roof and line up with your shade and lighting needs. Gather a few ideas and compare them side by side to figure out which one you like the best.
Collect Paint Samples
Once you have narrowed down your options, get some paint samples to try out on your house. Test out each sample and consider how they look at different times of the day.
Don’t skip this step. You might love a certain color in the morning but hate how it looks when the sun goes down.
Choose Trim and Accent Colors
After you’ve settled on a primary color for your house, pick colors for the trim and accents. Pick a color that complements the main house color and doesn’t compete with it.
Remember, Less Is More
As a general rule, it’s best to stick to just one or two colors for the trim and accents. Less is more when it comes to painting your house. If you throw up too many colors at once, the house might become overwhelming to the people who are checking it out.
Tips for Hiring Painters
Not interested in painting your house on your own? Painting the exterior of a house is a difficult task, so it makes sense that you might not want to take it on alone.
If you want to hire painters to handle the project, these tips will help you find the best people for the job:
Look for Local Painters
Try to search for “painters near me” if you can. Local painters will have a better idea of what works for houses in your area. They’ll also be more likely to use paints that can withstand the local climate.
Read Reviews
Find out what past customers have to say about a particular partner before you hire them. Read reviews online or ask for references.
Check Their Work
Ask to see the painter’s portfolio, too. Look at their website to see what kind of work they do and whether or not it matches your specific style and preferences.
Learn About Their Process
As you’re choosing between different painting teams, be sure to ask about their processes. How much time do they spend evaluating your property before getting started? How do they prep your house to make sure the paint lasts a long time?
Ask for a Detailed Proposal
Always ask for a detailed proposal, too. How much will the job cost? Can they give you a breakdown of the expenses for each part of the job (materials, labor, etc.)?
Update Your Siding Today
Painting your house and figuring out how to choose exterior paint color combinations can be overwhelming at first. If you remember the tips and tricks outlined above, though, you’ll have no trouble making a plan for your property.
Do you want to learn more about how to improve the exterior of your home? If so, the For the Home section of our site is full of helpful advice.
