Are you struggling with choosing the right exterior paint color for your home? I’m here to help and walk you through each step for choosing the right paint color combination for the exterior of your home. I’m going to make this real easy for you guys, I promise!
The number one paint question I have received over the years is about choosing exterior paint colors because it’s one of the most difficult paint decisions you can make for your home. You want your home to have beautiful curb appeal and you don’t want to make any color mistakes. If you follow my seven steps below, I promise you will avoid the common mistakes and will be able to make exterior paint color decisions that will be beautiful! Stick with me on this!
Step #1 Choose Your Shade First
The first thing you will want to do when deciding what color you want to paint the exterior of your home is to choose the shade of a color first. When I say “shade”, I mean do you want a light, mid-tone or dark color on the body of your home? At this point, you don’t have to consider anything else except to make a decision if you want a light or white color, a mid-tone or medium shade, or do you want a dark color.
For most of you, choosing a shade is an instant easy decision and you immediately know that you want a light or dark colored home. However, some of you may not be sure and are open to any shade and need a little help making that decision. It will help if you search Pinterest for exterior homes for inspiration to determine what shade would look best for your home. For example, if you have a ranch style home, search “ranch style home exteriors” in Pinterest search to see all the different color options to inspire you.
Step #2 Consider Your Roof Color (and Other Accent Colors)
Before you can go much further in your color decision-making, you will need to consider the color of your roof. If you have a black or neutral gray, you don’t have to worry as much about color clashing. Unfortunately, I have a dark brown roof with slight red undertones, so colors like shades of green or blues wouldn’t work for me and would clash. For those of you that have a roof with red, tan, green or blue gray undertones in your shingles, you will for sure need to factor in your roof color as you choose your exterior paint color palette.
If you’re like me and you have a dark brown roof with shingles that have a red undertone, you will want to stick with a true neutral main body color for your home to play it safe. If you have shingles with green or blue gray undertones, you have a little more leeway and you will prevent color clashing if you choose a color that’s either neutral or has a slight hint of your shingle color in it to blend and compliment and not fight. If you have a black roof, you can pretty much do anything.
If you have stone or brick on your home, you will need to also factor in any strong undertones found in your brick or stone. If your home is full brick and you just need to choose a trim color and I will match either the lightest, mid-tone or darkest color found in the stone/brick and use that as a trim color.
If your home is not full brick/stone and is either half stone/brick or you simply have brick/stone accents, you have a lot more wiggle room with color choices for the exterior body color of your home. As long as your body color has a very slight hint of the brick/stone undertone color, you shouldn’t have any clashing issues. For example, if your brick has a warm undertone and you want to go gray on your home body color, choose a light warm gray instead of a cool gray. That way, the warmth in the gray is what will tie/blend the new body color to the brick. Make sense?
Step #3 Factor in Light
Next, after you have considered your roof color and decided on the shade, you will need to factor in the impact light has on exterior paint colors, which is unlike choosing colors for interiors. I’m going to save you a lot of time by telling you that daylight/sunlight will drastically turn your exterior color cool/blue, which is what happens to a paint color when there is an abundance of light. As crazy as this may sound, you will need to go at least 2-3 times warmer on your exterior color to get to a balanced color that won’t lean cool or blue. Let me show you what I mean.
When it came time to paint the exterior of our pool house outdoor kitchen, I had to choose a color that was actually about 3 times warmer than what I wanted in my desired end color. I wanted an end color that looked like Sherwin Williams “On the Rocks” but because of the abundance of light that impacts exterior paint colors, I had to choose a color that was 3 times warmer to offset the color from going blue or cool.
Yes, my pool house was painted in Burmese Beige but because of the light, it looks like SW On the Rocks.
Isn’t that crazy what light does to exterior colors? So as you select colors, sample colors that are at least 1-2 warmer than the color you would ultimately like to have. My end color ended up being 3 times warmer. Keep in mind, if you want a white exterior, you will also need to choose a warmer white otherwise your home will have a blue cast.
Step #4 Finding Exterior Color Inspiration
As you narrow your shade down, factor in roof color and know that you’ll need to go warmer because of the abundance of exterior light, next you will need to decide on an actual color for the exterior body of your home. It helps to look for similar home styles to get a feel for the possibilities. I have a Pinterest board here that is all exterior paint colors on homes that can really help you to visualize a color.
Step #5 Sample, Sample and Sample
Now that you have picked a color, there are so many variables when it comes to the impact of colors on exteriors including which direction your home is facing and how much shading your home has that it’s impossible to safely choose a body color without sampling and looking at your samples at morning, mid-day and at dusk. This is such a critical step, especially when choosing exterior paint colors because the sun can pull out strange undertones that you may not see on the paint card.
I tested multiple paint colors on my stucco wall to get to the right color for my pool house and stucco wall. I was so surprised at how warm I had to go. It’s critical at this point that you do the same and sample colors either on a poster board or directly on your home to get to play it safe and get the exact color that you will love for years to come.
Step #6 Choose Exterior Trim and Accent Colors
Once you have made a firm decision on the main exterior body paint color, you’re ready to move on and choose your exterior trim and accent colors. First, let me tell you when it comes to choosing trim and accent colors, less is more! I can’t tell you how often I work with clients who have a lot of architecture detail on the exterior of their home (shake, shutters, lots of changes in roof angles) who want to paint every detail a different color/shade because they think it will accentuate the architectural details. However, too much contrast and change of color/shades actually has the opposite effect and the eye stops at each color and the architectural details no longer stand out.
Let me show you what I mean…
Last year, I worked with a couple who built a beautiful new home in a very wooded lot. They wanted their home green to blend in with all the trees. The home had a lot of different exterior accents/elements including shake mixed with traditional siding, several dramatic changes in roof angles, lots of wood trim, stone accent, etc.. Initially, they wanted to paint all those exterior accents a different shade/color and I encouraged them to stick with one main body color and one trim color because all those beautiful architectural elements would then stand out more and not get lost due to all the changes in color. Also, what people don’t realize is that stained wood trim and stone are colors as well. Below is how the home looked when we finished.
Imagine how busy the exterior of the home would be if we used a lighter shade of green for the upper shake, darker green for the bottom traditional siding and a completely different color for the wood (chicken foot) at the top of the roof line.
When I choose exterior trim and accent colors for my clients, 95% of the time I will work off of one paint color strip. Because the sunlight will pull out undertones that is impossible to see on a paint card, this is the safest way to guarantee that the undertones in the trim and accent colors play well and work together harmoniously. I will veer off the color strip if a client wants a completely different door color but for everything else, I stick with one color strip when it comes to exterior colors. You have everything you need color-wise on one strip; main body color, windows and trim and contrasting door color.
If a client wants to paint their home a light color like white, I will recommend painting trim/shutters/door with a contrasting darker color. If a client wants the body of the home darker, I will contrast with white everywhere else to balance and make sure the home doesn’t look too dark. If a client wants a mid-toned body color, I will base my recommendation for trim color based on the design of the home. If a home is modern, I will usually recommend a darker trim and if the home is more traditional, I will recommend contrasting a mid-toned body color with white.
Let me show you some examples…
Below is a darker blue home with white trim and accents. The white keeps the dark blue on the body of the home from being too dark.
Here is a white house with a black roof that the awnings and window are black to contrast.
Below is another white home with a black roof and the trim and garage are black to contrast.
Below is a home painted with a mid-tone gorgeous blue and because the home is a coastal architectural style, the trim and exterior accents were painted white to keep the whole home looking light.
Here is a dark charcoal gray painted home with a lot of stone accent and the trim was painted white to balance and lighten the darker body color.
Below is a mid-tone green painted home with a black roof and stone accents. There are a lot of architectural elements on the exterior of this home but notice how the trim and all the accents were limited to one color (white) for cohesiveness and to balance the darker body color.
Below is a mid-tone (to light) painted home with dark brown trim and accents. Because this home is modern in design, it works. If this home was a traditional style home, I would recommend all of the trim and accents to be painted white.
Step #7 Less is More
As you pull all of this together and I know it’s a lot to think about but I want to really help you again by mentioning that less is more when it comes to exterior colors. Anything more than 2-3 colors is too much on the exterior and as you look back at all of the examples above that I shared above, notice that most of the examples only have 2-3 colors used. Don’t forget that you will need to factor in that grids in your window/trim have a color as well. The architectural detail of your home will stand out more with less colors on the exterior, so don’t feel that everything is “suppose” to be a different color.
I have been choosing exterior colors for clients for more than 10 years and I still only work with one color strip when it comes to choosing exterior colors to keep it safe and ensure that all the colors will blend beautifully.
If you need help choosing the right exterior paint, you can find my tips here. If you have more questions, please leave your questions in the comments so we all can see. I will answer them as quickly as I can.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Jaclyn says
Hi Cindy,
I live in Phoenix, where flat roofed homes are very common and I’m the proud owner of one:. I’m trying to decide on a paint for my house, we want to paint it a shade of white, but there is not really a whole lot of roof to contrast with it, being that it is a flat roofed home. My concern is that the hone will look like a big shot blob ( if you wil) because there is not a ton of derails to be extenuated with another color. Do you have any recommendations?
Mary says
Good morning,
We just purchased an older one story home with a stucco exterior. The house (with attached garage) is all white (including the garage door) with black shutters. We want to paint the exterior and give it some personality and charm. The gutters are white. We’d consider almost any color except gray (as most of the interior is gray). We just had a new front door installed and that is wood toned.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated.
Linda S. says
I have recently painted my house in Sherwin Williams Natural Choice. My trim is brown and cannot be painted as it is metal. As you have described light can make a big difference in your homes appearance. My house with Natural Choice turns yellow on a cloudy day! Not at all the look I prefer ! I know I will need to repaint but not sure what color to go with. I was going for a warm white but don’t want yellow or pink to come through! Or would you suggest going dark?Any suggestions?
Thank you for your input!
Linda S.
lori says
very well written, great visuals. we will be building a smaller home in the future and this contained a lot of helpful information.
Lila says
We have a ranch Tudor house. Red brick front with Nantucket dune exterior. New rustic black roof and gutters. What color should we paint soffits
Tricia says
Really enjoyed this article . Thank you for including so many pictures after the explanations.
On Step #7, “Less Is More”, the third picture down shows a white and grey house. Would you know those paint colors?
Ashley says
I’m following the response to this question!! Love the same gray/white house. This article was so helpful, thank you so much!
Emily says
Me tooooo
Laura Gossett says
Hello,
Great post- thanks! We are in the process of choosing an exterior color for a beach house. Looking for a gray similar to the house in the next to last photo. We have looked at Sherwin Williams Repose Gray and Light French Gray- How do you determine what color would be 2-3 times warmer? Thank you!
diana elms says
What is the color on the Coastal home?
Lisa M Pittman says
I love the blue green also what is the color.
Jennifer Ellis says
Yes!!! Following….we are remodeling a coastal home and this color really speaks to me!
diana says
I found this to be very informative. What did you use on the coastal home?
Mara says
I was also wondering what the color on the coastal home is…the mid-tone blue?
Lucy says
I want to know the color too. Mid-tone blue
Lucy says
I want to know the color name and number For the coastal house mid-tone blue
Kathy Harris says
Has the color name and number for the coastal house mid-tone blue been revealed yet?
Anga says
Looking to find out the coastal color as well!
Kassandra says
Can I contact you personally for assistance in choosing a color on my home? It was built in 71, and we are only the second owners. It really needs updated, so we have room for new roof, new paint, new garage doors, so lots of freedom with color. We just cannot choose a color. It has a huge roof, its a big house, it sits in the trees. Its more in the shade than sunlight. Obstacles in our eyes. Would love your help!
Doreen says
My home is stucco and has little to no architectural interest such as trims-or shutters . A clay barrel roof with a pink tone but is definitely not pink but its not red toned or orange. Tuscan colors were the rage several years ago and now they are so dated looking. My front door is south exposure and back is north. The houses you show are gorgeous my house is a cookie-cutter mass produced Florida home. I want it to look bright in the sunlight and bright on a rainy day. I would like to paint it a pretty gray with white trim. Shoreline or Wickham Gray . White trim and a pretty color for my front door. Or Edgecomb Gray white trim and a pretty color for my front door. I know they’re llight colors but I don’t want a muddy look because there’s no architectural interest on these houses. I would like your opinion. Thank you
Jackie says
Hi,
Our home is half brick (red with tan grout) , black roof, what color should we paint our house and front door? A neutral with maybe a brown trim? Can I send you a picture?
Thanks
Melissa says
This article was extremely helpful! Thank you for the thoughtful, extensive information. What color would you recommend for a 1960’s ranch with minimal (really, none to speak of) architectural interest? Thank you!
Taren says
Hello! Do you offer help in picking exterior colors for a home? We are in the process and I like too many colors! We have a very unusual shaped home and the window trim is metal and permanent so I am trying to find what works best with the existing trim. I would appreciate any help or services that you offer. Your designs are beautiful!
Sandra I Reinhard says
My home has grey/white brick, the roof is neutral with sort of brown/grey tones. I want to do a grey main body and white trim but the grids around the windows are an ivory/off white. What can I do??
Beth says
We have cedar siding and brick half way up that meets the cedar siding that is dark red brick. We also have wooden shutters. The house is full sun on one side and shade on the other side. We are on a wooden lot. Need help on deciding the body color of the home. Right now the body is painted a dark green with light green shutters. HELP PLEASE!!!! Thank you in advance!
clarkryan771 says
Wonderful post, I’ve ever read. Thank you for sharing this informative post to choose the right Exterior color and all the steps you’ve mentioned are really cool. I like reading your post. Thanks for sharing this informative post with us.
Sue Norman says
I have a split level home with a copper color metal roof. It actually looks orange. We face east and get alot of am sun. I am having great difficulty finding the right color siding that won’t clash with the roof. We hope for light to mid tones. Any recommendations? Love the page.
Vivian Bautista says
Hello. I’m in the process of painting my home in a month. I have sporadic stones on my exterior along with precast around windows and entry. The grids on my windows are beige. May I send you a pic so you may give me some direction or suggest a couple of colors? Thank you so much!!
Maxine Hilliard says
I have a small veteran home built n 1952, which sits among pine trees. I want a coastal look with a pretty blue. What do u suggest? Is a coastal look best ? My interior is coastal.
Sheree says
Hello,
We purchased our home 4 years ago and would like to change the exterior color. It’s a dark brown and we would like to give it more character. Please let me know how we can consult and your fee. We are also in the process of getting a new tool and do not want to make a mistake with the colors.
adrienne gernsbacher says
i have a 1970’s suburban house with some multi color brick and the rest wood., it is two story. I want to look clean and warm. Our interior is light with greys and whites. I also want an inviting door. HELP
Kathy says
What is the mid-tone blue color of the coastal home?
Jill says
Did you ever find out what the mid tone blue color is? I’ve been through all the questions and can’t see where there was a reply to this color question. ..
KENDRA J LANDOLT says
Hi Cyndy,
I have blue metal roof more like a muted blue. There are 2 structures on the property and it is in a coastal area in Texas. My dilema in paint colors is that I have brand new almond windows which I hate. I need some inspiration. I was wanting a faded beach look. Originally very very pale pink with blue metal awning. Just not sure about how to tie in almond windows. Any help with color scheme i open to anything.
Wendy says
Hi, I’m in love with Sherwin Williams tradewind for my front door and 2 shutters. What is a good neutral for the body of the house (mostly stucco). I prefer whites/off white/beiges. Thanks!
Philippe Carrie says
Hello,
We have a ranch home in South Florida. Our roof is barrel tile, light coral. We are looking to repaint the exterior of the house. We are thinking of going with a light beige color. Please let us know your thought.
Thank you,
Jane and Philippe
Anita says
Hello. I live in a small in line ranch, one level. The front of our house faces East (sun in the a..m.) Currently our house has a light yellow siding (I know terrible) but that’s the color it was when we bought it.
Well we would like to change the look, but unfortunately can only afford to do the front, the sides will remain light yellow. We have only 2 windows in the front, We were thinking of making the siding on the front a light blue or pale green and running the siding vertically from the bottom of the window up to the roof line. The bottom of the window to the ground will be a stone of some sort. We also would like to paint the door a nice warm color to make it pop. Does this all make sense? We need some serious help. Again we are working with a tight budget, therefore can only do the front of our home.. as I had said it’s a small inline ranch. There is only one peek in the center. There are two sets of double windows on either side of the front door. As of right now we one had a small stoop at the entrance of the house . So it’s quite small. Please help. Thank You for your time.
Michelle says
Good morning,
I would like to know if you can help me find the right color I should paint house?
Tracey Echols says
Good morning my husband and I purchased a two-story home on the lake in South Carolina and we would like to pick the Right color for the exterior we have faux stone in the front and half stone up the walls around the house which have gold black kind of dark gray and a little rust color in the faux stone. Our roof is a lite gray color but sometimes it looks more to the greenish color. I was thinking of Sherwin Williams smoky blue paint for the body of house with Sherwin Williams let it rain for the peak color with a white trim… I’m so worried I’m going to paint wrong color. Can I send you pictures of my home and possibly you could help me choose the right color ? Thank you for taking the time to read my message Tracey
Jen says
Please share the coastal architecture house colors PLEASE!!! Soo pretty!!
Marsha Snow says
I so appreciated finding your site! I get these concepts completely but am still struggling. I have a cape, center door , 2 windows each side BUT half of the visual from the curb is the roof…no dormers. The roof is that medium multi brown with a strong terracotta/brick tone. I would like to use a terracotta body color, medium shade but am afraid it could look pinkish or too orange. It’s a simple facade so it’s the color that gives the detail. I’m also willing to go with a dark color to make it pop. It faces northwest so no direct sun on the paint until late afternoon. Would love some guidance…thanks!
Anita says
Help! I have a metal roof (silver). Small house, new build, farmhouse style with hardie plank siding. Thinking of a white shade but not sure of trim color, shutters, front door. Open to other colors though. We get a lot of sunlight. In a time crunch. Could you please offer advice? Thanks.
Eileen Benson says
It was interesting when you talked about how going 2-3 times warmer in our choice of color is a good way to prevent it from looking too cool when the lighting changes. My husband and I are thinking of hiring a painter to change the color of our home’s exterior and increase its curb appeal. The info you shared here will be really helpful as we move forward with choosing a color!
Anita says
Hello, just wanted to ask what you mean by going 2-3 shades warmer?
Cyndy says
As you’re looking at paint colors either on a fan deck or at the store where the paint color cards are displayed in color order, first choose the color that you would ultimately want and then go 2-3 hues toward yellow/warmer undertones. For example, if you are looking at all the whites, go 2-3 hues toward a creamier white instead of the neutral white that you first selected. I know it sounds crazy but on the exterior, direct light casts blue, so you need to offset your color with yellow/warmth to balance the casting of blue. You will look at that color that you choose that is 2-3 shades warmer and you will think there is no way that the warmer color will look like the color you ultimately want but once you sample it on the house, you will be amazed and just how much blue direct casts and how a warmer color is exactly what you need. I hope that helps.
Diane says
Cyndy,
Do you know what the color is on the mid-tone Coastal blue home? Trim too if you have it.
SJ says
I have an old little brick one story house. We have added an attached two story garage. The whole first story is white brick. I am trying to decide what color to paint the siding on the second story. The roof is silver metal. I was leaning towards a light/mid tone blue/green color. You commented to go 2-3 times warmer and wondering what colors you would suggest. To give you an example, I was looking at Behr Green Aqua (M420-2), Seaglass (HCF_CT-26A) and Misty Isle (MQ3-19).
Rachel Grzymkowski says
Hello! Your article was very helpful. We live in an adorable 1916 craftsman home (wood siding). We would like to sample some colors on the side of our home to help make a decision but it would mean painting over the old paint with no prep/primer. Will this also affect the the color i see now and what i will see when the works is done professionally?
Cyndy says
I would do several coats of your sample color and allow drying in between. That will help.
Eleri Thomas says
Hi there,
Found your article incredibly helpful, I have from it taken that I should opt for a neutral exterior paint colour for our bungalow as we have a roof tiles that are of a terracotta colour. I should also go for a neutral colour that is two times darker than my desired finish due to the sunshine. I am wondering if I should then go a little darker or lighter for the door finish? I will try and post a picture. We are in Wales (UK) and so rain/darker days often occur! Your advice is much appreciated! Thank you,
Eleri
Jim says
You have fantastic taste and judgement in your design and color choices. Can folks send you pictures (with their thoughts and ideas) and receive your feedback at a glance. Would LOVE your opinion! More than happy to pay a consulting fee 😉
Cynthia Pinell says
Hi Candy,
My name is also Cindy but obviously spelled differently. I own a 1982 bi-level house in Colorado Springs, CO. The lower portion is a GOLD (ugh) brick and all the rest of the house (siding) is a golden pastel. Obviously it is very outdated!
I wanted to paint the brick a slate grey & house beige/tan with dark grey trim but house across the street just painted their’s that color so now I am not sure. I would love stone in place of brick but expensive so now I am at a loss. There are about 3-4 houses somewhat close to mine that are already light to darker grey??? Help!
The inside is decorated with lighter colors, beige, grey, blue & brown. I still have part of the beach & Calif in me but leave in snow country. Thank you!
Heidi says
Hi Cindy…..I was wondering if I could email you a picture of our house and you could hopefully help guide me in choosing the main color and also trim color? I’m looking at grayish taupe colors from Sherwin Williams. I would like something that’s going to make it rich looking if that makes sense? Please let me know if this is possible. Thank you so much!!! 😊
Heidi
Carrie Fox says
I am trying to find a color to paint my house and am having no luck. Can I send you a picture to see if you can help me?
Jeanette says
I am looking for the paint color for the home that has a stone bottom and shaker siding. It’s a green of some sort and I really love it. Do you happen to know what the name of the color is and who makes it?
Lis says
Hi! How can I get the codes of the paint colors from the very first photo? I absolutely love that combination!
Jen says
Hello! Very helpful to read your tips on paint colors. We purchased a home that has orange/red/black-ish bricks on a large portion of the front of the ranch style home. The trim (windows/doors/eaves/facia) are painted teal green. The roof is a more gray color with undertones of green – it will need to be replaced in the next few years so I don’t want to base all of my colors on the roof but still have a nice looking home for the interim. We are committed to painting the brick individually to still keep the brick look but to tone down the orange color. I have chosen Grizzle Gray as it seems to have a slight green undertone for the brickcolor. I will be varying the colors of the brick by the application of the paint, some darker, some lighter and even blending as needed to create a natural brick look as opposed to painting it all one color. The siding color is Gray Matters. The dreaded teal trim will be all white.
The issue I found is the bricks are looking a little more blue (In sample testing) as you mention in the article. Without going “too green“ how do I balance the green undertones of the roof but successfully change to a more gray color? We are Estimated 5 years from roof replacement.
Stephanie says
Could you tell me what the mid-tone blue house color is? I’ve been looking for a color just like that!!
Beth Sparks says
I was so happy to read your very informative article! I am still at a loss. I am building a house and the stone has a multitude of colors with a lot of orange!!! I’m trying to find a gray(?) paint that will tone down the orange. I am so sad with my decision! It is called Aspen Fieldstone. The stone is at the bottom of a one story house and it has a really nice entryway with a seperate cable roof and tall arched truss. I would appreciate any help?
Thank you so much!
Kelly Patterson says
Help! We bought home on lake with great views. The challenge… Dutch colonial with gambrel orange(!) roof. Desperate to repaint but can’t find much that inspires. Roof has five more yrs life before we go with black roof. I want darker neutral house color overall with white or creme trim plus pop of color door. Any advice?
Lisa-Beth says
Hi Cyndy!
I love the paint color scheme you have pictured several houses above (“below is a home painted with a mid-tone gorgeous blue….coastal architecture style….”). Can you tell me what colors the house is painted?? Thank you kindly for all the great decor ideas throughout!!
Becky says
Hi Cindy-
Thank you for the helpful hints. I don’t see any answers to questions so maybe you answer individually? May I please have the gray, black and white uses on the second to the last house picture? Thank you!
Gina says
Hi, Cyndy!
Please share the colors for the mid-tone blues used on the coastal architecture house.
Trying to work with a black roof & fascia board.
Jeff says
Hi, looking for ideas for a color for the front door. We recently purchased a four lite 3/4 glass front door with sidelights. We live outside of buffalo, ny so sun is around for half the year. Our house is a white colonial with black shutters. I would like to match the paint we choose for the man door that enters the side garage. I wish I could include a pic. Thanks
Deb Winkler says
HI Thank you for all your advice. We are currently needing to pick a trim color for our new build. We picked SW Gauntlet Gray as the main color & need a trim. We have lots of sun & tried Mindful Gray with our black windows and need another suggestion. Would Repose Gray or Elder White look better?
thank you,
Deb Winkler
Tina says
Your post is so helpful! Wish I found it earlier. = ( Now my accent grey siding color look almost lavender with my orange roof and brown bricks. I’m trying to make it work by painting the garage and front door black. Our windows are white. Any insight would be helpful!
Cindy Struve says
Could you tell me the mid tone blue color used on the coastal home? Thanks!
Kristen says
Great article! I’m having trouble finding an exterior like my unique one. 🤣 I was going to go with a dark blue for my house. I have a lot of trim and a balcony all white. But we get a lot of hot sun. What is the name of the color on the picture of the house with all the balcony railing? That is lighter and pretty.
Trish Weaver says
Great article. Explains why the three samples I’ve used don’t look at all like the chip I picked! LOL. I love the coastal color and am wondering like the rest of the group if you can share the name. My house currently is a mid tone gray with white trim, shudders and white concrete tile roof (Florida ranch). It’s been gray for 20 plus years now and has a very classic clean look. I have two large purple bougainvillea’s on each side of my garage which really adds a punch of color. I’m worried if I change from the gray walls, the purple flowers will clash with the coastal blue/green or blue/gray colors. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Patsy Wyatt says
My 37 year old colonial 2 story brick house is painted white (Sherwin Williams pure white I think, I did not paint it). The roof is a new Certainteed Landmark Cobblestone Gray. I would like a suggestion as to what color to paint the shutters and front door. We are in a coastal town.
DeAnne Moore says
Would you please share the color of the mid blue coastal home.
Thank you,
Deanne Moore
David Raasch says
So, how EXACTLY do you choose a paint color “2-3 shades warmer” than the one you’ve picked out with a swatch?
Are swatches organized in such a way that I can numerically do this? (We’re going with Sherwin Williams paint, not Benjamin Moore, by the way.)
Cyndy says
Yes! You can go 2-3 shades warmer by looking at a fan deck. Ask Sherwin Williams for a fan deck when you’re at the store so you can go warmer.You can also order one online. Hope that helps.
Patsy Wyatt says
I have a colonial home with sw pure white painted brick and a new CertainTeed Landmark pro designer series cobblestone gray roof. We are located in a traditional coastal town. I need to paint the shutters and doors. I have tried many grays, some light blues, tans,etc. I cannot find. Anyone locally who can help me. Your article is spot on but I still need help picking those first paint strips to try. Please give me some suggestions. If you do private consultation, we can consider that.
Tarra says
Hi Cindy,
We have a Stucco home with a pool in CA and trying to pick a color to paint the exterior. We are running into issues as the roof is an interesting color and your notes right on point! Can you give some advice?
Francine Brown says
Hi Cindy,
We have a Florida stucco home with a brick red shingled roof, completely stumping me on colors.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Lisa Wash says
Hi Cindy, love your article, thanks for breaking it down. I have painted the outside of my home three times since buying it in 1992 and the inside 4 times. Picking colors has always been the most difficult part. I think I have a challenge when it comes to the exterior of my home. I would be very curious what you would do, my home is an Interhab , not sure if you are familiar with that style. I live on the ocean with lots of windows on the front of the house. I am not asking you to pick colors but I am very curious how you would make my home interesting with color. Do you ever accept photos. thanks again for the great tips.
Lisa Wash
Ferguson’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Canada
Diane Martin says
I live in a traditional building townhouse community of 7 buildings and we are repainting. The trim is white, we voted to have the doors and shutters black and we have red brick accent on the lower portion of the buildings. Currently we have tree colors which are blush, mint green and yellow. We think we would like to keep the mint green and possibly go to just one other color alternating or stay with three. Any advice??? Windows have white grids and columns white and soffits white. Hope to hear from you soon. We are paint in a two weeks and have to vote as a community.
Maria says
Hi, thank you so much for your advice! I think you just saved me from choosing thw wrong Hardie Biard Color. Now I really need you help! I have a 100 year old American four Square with black windows. I am changing rood as well and I do not know what color to choose. Originally my husband chose Light mist, I am worried it will look cool blue as you mentioned above. My house sit up high above street level and surrounded by.trees on the left and back of the house. Not sure what to do now. If you can please shed some light I greatly appreciate it! ~Mari
Cyndy says
Thank you for your note! My best advice is to go at least 2-3 shades warmer than what you think. I also recommend testing the color on a large poster board. I hope that helps and good luck!
Darlene McKinney says
https://www.thecreativityexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Choosing-the-right-paint-colors-for-exteriors.jpg
I love the colors of the house with the white dove and winter ice pain colors. To achieve those colors will I need to go 2-3 shades darker for the exterior?
Cyndy says
Hi Darlene! I recommend going 2-3 shades WARMER (not darker) to offset the blue/gray cast of direct sunlight. Hope that helps
Yawiya Rashid says
I have a house with blue Iron sheets. What color of paint can I use to paint the exterior? Thanks. I will be very grateful for your quick and positive response.
Secondly, if you could also avail me with the artistic impression of a house with blue iron sheets painted with the appropriate color, i will be more grateful.
Kind Regards
Barbara says
Would you share the name of the blue on the Coastal House?
Thank you
Lisa Wash Wash says
Hi, well I know first hand now what you mean, I choose Nimbus Gray based on the picture on the brochure, I read it had violet undertones but couldn’t see it on the chip, as soon as it was on my house thankfully in a small amount I saw the violet right away. Back to the drawing board, I love the way it looked on the house in the picture but then when I held the actual sample chip up to the picture it was nothing like it at all. So I love the color on the coastal home in this article as do many other people from the comments, could you share the color. Thank you
Lisa
Christine LeDuc says
Hi Candy, my name is Christine. Home built in 1984. We are original owners. One story 1400 sq ft. Garage attached in L shape. Very large tree in front yard, so shade mostly all day. Backyard full sun. Roof dark green. Windows and garage door white that will stay white. I’m thinking of a light sage green for body. But would like to add some color to “some” of the trim, possibly around the windows. I’ve tried a lot of colors but can’t really decide what looks good. Right now I’m looking at a pale peach color. Can you give me any insight on your thoughts? Am I in the ball park or completely off my rocker? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks in advance! Christine
Suzan says
Thanks for sharing your exterior paint color suggestions. Pastel blue-gray is perfect.