18 Dec Things to Consider When Painting Your Home’s Exterior

Your home’s curb appeal is the first thing that people will notice as they visit or drive by your home. There is a lot of space to cover when you think about your home’s exterior, so selecting the perfect house color is actually a more significant decision than finding a color you love on a paper swatch. 

Pick the wrong one, and you could be in for a pricey second phone call to a painting contractor! 

There is quite a bit to consider when selecting an exterior paint color for your home, including: 

• Your home’s architectural style
• Your neighborhoods general look and feel
• Your home’s geographic location
• The orientation of your home
• External elements like weather and lighting. For example, if your home takes on direct sunlight, the color you choose may look very different in full natural light than it does on a small swatch. 

Consider the color and shades of adjacent homes as well, because the last thing you want to do is stick out like a sore thumb in a bad way. If you have your heart set on imparting a bold color, you should think about using them more sparingly on the details of your home like the front door, planter boxes, or trim work. 

Think about all of the different parts of your home that make up the whole, like the roof, windows, doors, landscaping, and more. These will all come into play when you’re deciding on the perfect hue. Here are some additional expert tips to keep in mind: 

The Rule of Three

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but experts agree that you should decide on three colors maximum for the exterior of your home. More than that, and you run the risk of your home’s exterior looking busy and possibly clashing. Three colors give you endless possibilities when it comes to updating your look because you can use them on the body, trim, and other architectural details to help them stand out. 

A Warning About White

White can look very crisp, clean, and modern, but surprisingly, it’s not the best choice for the exterior of your home, depending on the size. If you have a large home, white can almost be blinding if you don’t select the proper shade and account for bright sunlight. It also gets dirty and dingy very quickly, making it a poor choice for homes with inclement weather. White makes a much better accent color, and if you’re looking for something soft and neutral, stick with tans, greys or greige, a mixture of grey and beige. 

The Orientation of your Home

Which way does your home face? This plays a big part in which color will look best. If you face south and your home takes on a lot of light during the day, consider using bolder colors to allow the rays to catch the color. If your home is mostly situated in the shade, neutral tones like those mentioned above will be a better bet. 

Consider Multiple Colors

Exterior painting is a substantial financial undertaking, so you want to be very sure that you’re happy with the color you select. We mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: paint companies will not repaint your home simply because you hate the color. That cost will fall squarely on you. 

So, take the time to consider multiple colors. Paint swatches on the exterior of your home, and spend time viewing them at different times during the day to see how they react to natural light. And remember to keep in mind that the exterior of your home is a massive surface, so you will have to multiply your interpretation of the swatch based on the size of your home. 

For assistance with all of your home building needs in Marion, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, please contact Dahl Custom Homes. We would be delighted to assist you! 

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