Whether you just had a home built or have lived in your home for many years, at some point it will come time to paint the exterior of your home. Of course, selecting your exterior paint color can require more thought and research than you might think. The exterior paint color of your home is one of the first things people see, so it’s important to choose a color that you love and that reflects your personality. However, with so many colors to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start. Below we discuss some things to consider when making this important decision for your home.
Tips for selecting your paint color
Consider your home’s style. The architectural style of your home can help you narrow down your color choices. For example, a Colonial home might look best in a classic white or gray, while a Victorian home might look best in a more vibrant color like red or yellow.
Think about the surrounding area. Take a look at the other homes in your neighborhood and the surrounding landscape. Do you want your home to blend in or stand out? If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of white houses, for example, you might want to choose a different color to make your home stand out.
Consider the amount of sunlight your home gets. Sunlight can affect the appearance of paint colors, so it’s important to consider how much sunlight your home gets when choosing a color. For example, if your home gets a lot of sunlight, you might want to choose a lighter color to avoid it looking too faded.
Think about maintenance and durability. In areas such as here in South Florida, weather conditions can be harsh on your exterior paint. As mentioned above, sunlight can certainly fade your paint color. In addition, you will want to consider a paint that is easy to clean.
Get inspired by nature. Nature is a great source of inspiration for choosing exterior paint colors. Look at the colors of the trees, flowers, and sky in your area. You might also want to consider the colors of the materials that are already used on your home, such as brick or stone.
Test out different colors. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s important to test out different colors before you commit. Buy small samples of the colors you’re considering and paint them on different areas of your home’s exterior. Look at the colors at different times of the day and in different lighting conditions.
Take the color (or future color) of your roof into consideration: Although this may be generally assumed already, it is important to take into consideration the color or even future color of your roof. If you know that you will likely need to replace your roof soon, it is important to know what roofing type and color you will be installing prior to selecting your home’s exterior paint color.
Don’t be afraid to get creative. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing exterior paint colors. If you love a particular color, go for it! Even if it’s not a traditional color for your home’s style, it could still look great.
Summary
Whether it is your home’s exterior paint color, a driveway, or your front yard landscaping, it is important to remember that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Therefore, selecting the appropriate paint color for your home is a very important decision for any homeowner. If you find this decision a little overwhelming, you can always hire a professional color consultant or even a home designer to assist you.
Are you looking to buy or sell real estate in South Florida? We can help! Contact Natasha at Live South Florida Realty, Inc. today! Also, be sure to download the free Florida Home Search app for you smartphone or tablet.
