Like a visit to the dentist or a parent-teacher meeting, painting our houses is a necessary evil that we all avoid for as long as possible.
Whether you’re selling your home or want to increase curb appeal, choosing a new paint color can be daunting. Repainting your home takes up valuable time and money, so you don’t want to make any mistakes. How do you make sure you choose the right color?
To help make your decision easier, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best exterior paint colors for boosting curb appeal.
These paint colors will increase your resale value and breathe new life into your home. Keep reading to learn more.
Black and White
A black and white color palette never seems to go out of style. In fact, according to a national survey by Sears Weatherbeater Paints, around 40% of people said they would choose white paint for the exterior of their home.
This classically elegant color combo is striking and clean. The black and white contrasting colors work well to highlight the architectural features of your house.
If in doubt, stick to white walls with black accents. Black walls may look striking at first, but they fade fast. Black walls also highlight blemishes and absorb more heat.
Before you commit to this color scheme, bear in mind that it is hard to keep white walls looking clean for long. You may have to repaint your home fairly often to keep it from looking shabby.
Blue
If you want to boost your curb appeal, blue is the way to go. According to a recent study, houses with blue front doors sell for around $1,500 more than those with plain white doors.
Coastal properties are often painted in bright shades of blue, giving a nod to wide expanses of sea and sky. Vibrant blues are cheerful and welcoming, the perfect color choice for a beach house or holiday home.
Inland, suburban houses tend to be painted in lighter shades of blue. These muted tones match well with shades of gray and are a popular choice for a modern color palette.
If you are looking to make a bold statement, consider pairing navy blue with white. This classic color combination is visually striking and is sure to make your home stand out from the crowd. A navy blue and white color palette works best on houses with large trim, to really highlight differences in color.
Avoid mixing shades of blue as they can easily clash.
Yellow
From Tuscan villas to country cottages, yellow has long been a popular exterior paint color. Yellow has the ability to spread cheer and warmth, even on the gloomiest of days.
If you feel your house is being dwarfed by surrounding buildings or trees, considerer painting it a light shade of yellow. A coat of yellow paint will highlight the walls of your house, making it seem bigger than it really is.
Buttery, creamy yellows are popular on farmhouses and cottages, allowing the houses to blend into the surrounding fields. This soft yellow is best paired with white trim and edging.
Yellow can be volatile and easily clashes with other colors. Avoid using it on houses that have lots of exposed building materials like brick, metal, stone, and wood.
Green
Green is a wonderful color for rooting a house into its environment. Earthy shades like sage, moss, or olive green balance a feeling of playfulness with sophisticated elegance. These colors blend well with wooden trim, or neutral colors like gray, cream, or brown.
Green is a popular color on colonial and Victorian-era houses, particularly for use on the shutters and trim.
Most homeowners steer clear of bright shades of green, but that doesn’t mean these vibrant hues don’t have their place. For a splash of personality, many modern buildings feature pops of lime green paired with dark, charcoal grays.
Gray
In theory, gray is the last color you should paint your house. It is gloomy and somber and lacks personality. So why does nearly every street have a gray house on it?
Gray’s lack of personality is exactly what makes it timeless. A gray color palette is foolproof.
Gray is the ultimate neutral, pairing well with every color under the sun. This chameleon color mirrors and enhances the colors around it, adapting to any environment.
When choosing shades of gray for your house, keep in mind that lighter shades will make your house look bigger, while dark shades will make it look more compact.
Charcoal and slate gray are among the best exterior gray paint colors.
While you certainly won’t win any prizes for originality by painting your house gray, your color palette won’t be going out of style any time soon.
Taupe
We all know what red, blue, and green look like, but taupe isn’t a color that is often brought up in conversation. A mix between gray and beige, taupe is favored by many decorators.
Not only is it a great neutral color for your exterior walls, but it is practical too. Taupe is the best exterior house paint color for hiding grime and dirt, so your house exterior will look cleaner for longer!
Pair taupe with white fittings for a simple modern look. If you are feeling more adventurous, pair your taupe walls with red shutters and doors.
Red
When most people think of the color red, they think of bright, race-car reds. For this reason, people often shy away from red walls, fearing that their house might look like a toy model or fire station.
While many shades of red are quite jarring, there are a few shades that will make your house stand out from the rest, in a good way.
Think of red barns. These rusty-red structures demand your attention without overwhelming your senses. Red barns are thought to have been painted to mimic red brick, another example of beautiful red buildings.
Pair light red colors with white. Darker reds look great with cream or taupe.
Treat Your Home With the Best Exterior Paint Colors for Increased Curb Appeal
Now that you have a basic understanding of the best exterior paint colors, you can make an informed decision when buying paint for your house.
Will you make a bold statement with red paint, or highlight your surroundings with green paint? Is pale yellow more your style, or do you want to break out of your comfort zone with a dark, broody blue?
Whatever color you chose, a fresh lick of paint is sure to transform your tired, shabby house.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to browse through our website for more exciting content!
