If you want to improve your curb appeal and increase your home’s value, a new coat of paint is a great way to do it. You can always maintain the status quo by keeping your home the same color, but you can also make an exciting transformation in the look of your house with a brand new color. If that sounds appealing, but you’re not sure what paint color to choose, our exterior house painters in Raleigh are sharing some Dos and Don’ts when it comes to picking your exterior house color.
DO: Check Your HOA and Ordinances
The first thing you should do is make sure there are no guidelines limiting your exterior paint color. You don’t want to have your heart set on lighthouse red only to find out it’s against the rules and have to start over picking a new color. Even worse, you don’t want your home to be painted and then find out it’s not within the HOA guidelines!
If you love the look of white, cream, gray, or taupe, then absolutely choose a neutral color for your home. However, if you’ve checked your local ordinances and there’s nothing stopping you from living your dream of having a bright, cheerful home, it’s okay to think outside the paint can.
DO: Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style
For ranch homes and traditional two-story houses, you can pretty much get by with any paint color, but for homes with more specific architectural styles, you can really play up those features with specific paint colors. For example, if your home is Southwest-inspired with a stucco exterior, a bright white with black trim would look out of place, but those colors would look perfect on a Federalist style house. Craftsman-style houses look lovely in shades of buttery yellow, sage greens, or olive while houses near the beach can carry off pastels beautifully.
DON’T: Forget About Fixed Features of Your Home
For houses with wood siding trim, stone accent, or other fixed features, make sure you take those colors into account when you’re choosing your exterior paint. The crisp white paint with black trim you’ve got picked out for your Federalist style house may clash if there is a warm, brown-toned brick foundation or cedar shingles around the eaves. Also, unless you plan on replacing your roof near the same time as you’re painting your house, you’ll also want to consider the color and tone of your roof shingles.
DO: Think of Your Climate When Choosing Paint
If you’re reading this from a hot, sunny climate, you may want to re-think any ideas on black, navy, or charcoal house paint. Not only will the sun fade the color and require a repaint sooner than you may plan, but it will also skyrocket your energy bills! Dark colors absorb the sun’s rays, making your home hotter, which is the last thing you want in an already hot climate.
Learn More About Home Exterior Painting
For more information about exterior painting, choosing colors, and the latest trends, be sure to check out our website: https://clhpainting.com/