You’ve no doubt driven down a street, seen a house, and thought, “Yikes! What were they thinking?”
Colors can evoke a visceral response, especially on home exteriors. At once both personal and public, colors make a first impression, can accentuate attributes and soften flaws and offer a glimpse into your personality.
“Homeowners can be influenced by many sources — friends and neighbors, magazines, TV shows or the guy at the hardware store — so you’ll need to be careful you’re not just chasing the latest trend; otherwise, your house might be the one that people end up rolling their eyes at,” says PBS home improvement expert Vicki Payne.
Payne says you’ll be happy for years to come by following eight tips on selecting colors for your home’s exterior:
1. Deciding between bright and cheerful colors or deep, rich earth tones will influence all other decisions.
2. Pick colors that will blend in with your surroundings.
3. Make sure your choices in siding and trim don’t clash with materials you are not going to replace, such as roof shingles, brick, stone and tile.
4. The size and lot location of your house matter. Light colors can make a house look bigger, and dark colors can make it look smaller.
5. Landscaping will continue to grow and change colors as the seasons change, so trees, shrubs and flowering gardens need to be considered.
6. Use neutral colors to de-emphasize things such as an air conditioning unit or gutters and downspouts, and use contrasting or accent colors to highlight things such as architectural detailing, porch railings, windows and front doors.
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