Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Gardening
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Holidays
  • Rooms
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening
    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas
    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing
    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking
    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you're a beginner baker who's just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We'll help you set up a baking essentials kit for beginners with 21 pastry tools. For those who already own these handy tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking tools and equipment inventory starts here.
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating
    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Valentine's Day
    • Mother's Day
    • Easter
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July/Memorial Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Juneteenth
    • Hanukkah
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms
    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Home Improvement Ideas
  3. Home Exteriors
  4. Curb Appeal Ideas, Makeovers and Photos
  5. Exterior Color Cues

Exterior Color Cues

Caitlin Sole headshot
By Caitlin Sole February 19, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
home exterior
While exciting, the task of picking a new color palette for your home's exterior can be a bit daunting. Here are some helpful tips.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Exterior Color Advice

home exterior

Color is as important to your home's exterior as its interior. But exterior color is usually applied in the form of siding, trim, and roofing -- a far more permanent investment than wall paint or accessories. With a little color know-how, you can pick the perfect color scheme for your home's exterior that reflects your tastes and your home's architectural style.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tour the Neighborhood

Tour the Neighborhood

As you prepare to choose colors for an exterior painting project, tour neighborhoods and note which colors catch your eye. Pay particular attention to homes that are similar in architectural style to your own.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Landscaping Cues

Front Doors for Tool

Take color cues from your landscaping. A house surrounded by woodlands may look out of place painted in pastels, but natural in earth tones. Sunbelt houses can wear bright colors; in a cold climate, bright shades can look cartoonish on a gray day. Climate plays a role, too. Imagine your proposed paint color in stark, snowy winter as well as in lush, leafy summer. Remember that colors intensify and look brighter in daylight on the outside of a house than they do on the color card in the store.

 

Tips for Landscape Lighting

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fitting In

100940979.jpg

Consider the context of your home and aim to blend in. If all the houses are white and you want a darker house, you're better off with a midtone instead of a dark color. Use bolder strokes of color on smaller elements, like the front door or shutters. Harmony is more important where houses are close together. In neighborhoods with spacious lots or visual buffers of foliage, paint schemes can be more personalized.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Select Three Colors

home exterior

Choose at least two colors for your home's exterior when the siding is brick or stone. Select three colors when the siding will also be painted as the main color. Pick a complementary color for the trim and an accent color for doors, shutters, and decorative trim. Need more help? Try hiring a professional colorist to design a color scheme unique to your home.

5 of 13

6 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Choosing House Paint

See how to choose exterior paint colors with these tips.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Consider Climate

blue chair

Take into consideration your climate and how the seasons play out in your region. Imagine your proposed paint color in stark, snowy winter as well as in lush, leafy summer. Remember that colors intensify and look brighter in daylight on the outside of a house than they do on the color card in the store.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Take it Outside

Front Doors for Tool

Look at your paint chips and material samples outside in different lighting. You'll want to get an idea of what the colors will look like in the shade, on bright, sunny days, and on overcast days, as well.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pick the Right Roof Color

home exterior

Roofing is a much more permanent investment, as it is designed to last 15 to 20 years or more. A coat of paint is only designed to last one-third of that. Pick a neutral, go-with-anything roofing material and down the road, you'll leave yourself open to more paint color options when it comes time to re-paint your home.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Proportion is Key

Restore a Lawn with New Sod

Factor in your home's size. Depending on the proportions, you may want to emphasize or tone down certain features. Keep in mind that lighter colors tend to visually grow a home or feature, while darker colors shrink them. Bright colors call attention to features while neutrals let them fade into the background.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pay Attention to Fixed Elements

Consider Fixed Elements

Brick, slate, stone, and concrete are known as fixed, or given, elements because you cannot, or probably would not, change them. You could paint brick and vinyl siding, but doing so would only increase maintenance. In general, the foundation color should be the same or darker than the siding color.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Consider the Style

Front Doors for Tool

A home's style is another cue to its paint treatment. If your house has no particular style, paint it in colors that appeal to you. However, if your home is a colonial, Greek Revival, Prairie, or other distinctive style, respecting the integrity of the original architecture is important.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

More for You

home exterior

Try New Exterior Colors

 

How to Choose Siding Colors

 

Top Exterior Color Schemes

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Caitlin Sole

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 Exterior Color Advice
    2 of 13 Tour the Neighborhood
    3 of 13 Landscaping Cues
    4 of 13 Fitting In
    5 of 13 Select Three Colors
    6 of 13 Choosing House Paint
    7 of 13 Consider Climate
    8 of 13 Take it Outside
    9 of 13 Pick the Right Roof Color
    10 of 13 Proportion is Key
    11 of 13 Pay Attention to Fixed Elements
    12 of 13 Consider the Style
    13 of 13 More for You

    Share & More

    Tweet Email Send Text Message
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
    Better Homes & Gardens

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithBH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Better Homes & Gardens. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Exterior Color Cues
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.