Painting Yellow House with Brown Roof

6 years ago

We were going to make changes to try to mask that we didn't like the dull yellow color of our home but always just kept going back to the simple fact that we didn't like the color of our home. We are thinking maybe a light gray or a dark gray/dark blue color with white trim.

We're going to do this DIY or at least attempt to. Unless someone has horror stories to persuade us the other way, the only part I'm worried about is the side of the house where it peaks at about 25-27'.

And yes I realize I'll have to clean the vinyl, this was actually taken when the house was listed, can't believe they listed it with the side of it being so dirty.

Featured Answer

chloebud

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi Pat, I have a couple thoughts. With your roof color I wouldn't choose a siding color that's too cool and would clash with the roof color. From your photos it looks like the roof is a reddish brown...? If so, you could consider a gray/green (sage) shade that can work nicely with the roof. It would also look nice with a cream or soft white trim color. Paint all the downspouts and garage door the same color as the siding. A white garage door in front pulls too much focus...unless the siding is also white.

Regarding shutters, the lower window is too large. Shutters, whether decorative or functional, should be sized right. That means each shutter should be half the window's width. They'd have to be quite wide to fit the double windows above the garage. In your case, I would put a wide trim around the windows instead.

This is close to what I was thinking. The sage-y green color works with both the brown roof and red brick.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (18)

Denita
6 years ago
Agree with chloebud, your windows are a wide modern style and not suited for shutters. Particularly the LR window. Shutters vs Shudders

That sage color she proposes looks terrific. After the siding repairs and painting, the next best thing you can do to update your home is landscaping.
Related Discussions
What color shutters for our yellow house and brown roof?
Q
Comments (58)
myfoursquare - Thank you again! It's way easier to see your way than having them tipped up by the windows on the bottom. I really don't know if I like them. I'm kind of on the fence. Hubby likes your pic, but he also likes the white band with it which would maybe be too much. I think we should wait too until I can get to the door. So helpful that you did that - we really appreciate it, thank you!!! jterrilynn - I agree. I'm hoping to get out today to see if any places have any nice pots left. We have so much snow here in Montana that I might just stay home today. Thanks for your feedback. It really helps. dedtired - HA! That made me laugh! We aren't going to do the vents. We did have them before the house was resided and I just got tired of them and was happy to see them go even though they added a little "something" to the house. Thanks for the feedback on the trim. We can't take the door off in this weather to paint it in the garage (it's 6 degrees here this morning why do I live here?!)so it may be awhile before we can paint and post a pic, but I will do it.
...See More
Help - Exterior Paint color needed for Brown Roof - Brown window
Q
Comments (2)
I’d reverse the color scheme. Light trim and eaves. Add some trim to the bottom windows. And if you aren’t afraid of color, I’d pop the front door with maybe something in the coral/pink to orange range.
...See More
Exterior paint/ design ideas for traditional house w/ light brown roof
Q
Comments (17)
@calidesign Thank you for reference photos. I am such a visual person and those are so helpful. I hate the color of the rock, but at some point this home will become a rental, so I don't want to change things that don't need changing just to suit my personal taste. Appreciate your point of view. @misecretary Great and important question! Definitely more of a beige! I have added additional pictures above that hopefully give you a better idea of the color of the stucco and the rocks. The trim & windows are all the same color as the shutters. I am not sure if that should change in the future. @uoflcardfan77 Thanks Kevin! Great tip on the door. I will check your website out.
...See More
1970s yellow brick with brown house needs updating
Q
Comments (15)
I think those grays are too dark, & white mat be too bright( for garage doors). Something softer but maybe creamy or tawny. Because the garage is prominent and not so great to emphasize the doors. More make it look like part of the house mass and balance with landscaping and front door. I usually am wary of mixing gray with yellow because the grays are often too cold- though there are some classic yellow, gray and white color schemes. Maybe a light greige as Patricia showed. I don’t care for the garage, gables and roof all dark— it’s as though the rest of the house is a tiny blip. Maybe continue with some of the visualizations, going closer to the brick color but not exactly. Or if it’s easier, use a paint company app and pretend your brick is paint so you find something close to that color in the deck , and put in gables & trim & such in various colors.
...See More
chloebud
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Well, Pat, you got shutter advice and never even asked about them. Just know shutters can become shudders all too often...as Denita's link will help explain. The mistakes I see most often are with sizing and/or design. I do agree landscaping is key and am guessing you're already on top of.
emmarene9
6 years ago
Like you, I am stubbornly DIY. When I painted my house a few years ago I looked into the cost of renting scaffolding. I was surprised by the cost. It seemed I would be better off to just buy scaffolding. That left me thinking where would I store it afterwards? I ended up using a ladder but my house is one story. It is a lot to think about and good quality paint is expensive.

To be honest, I don't like vinyl siding. However, it has one advantage that I cannot deny. It never requires painting. Once you paint it you will be like so many homeowners. You will have a regular schedule of painting your house every ten to fifteen years, depending on your climate. Are you sure you want to give up a non-painting house? To me the color is not obnoxious. I suggest you make other changes to the house instead of painting. It seems you have done nothing to improve the appearance.

I suggest that instead of squandering your money on paint you instead replace your path and entrance area. The current landscaping adds nothing.
Your roof looks new but when it fails a blue gray color would distract from the yellow. The current brown roof enhances the yellow.

I gave you a basic landscape. If you enjoy gardening you could do much more.

It is a matter of personal taste but for me the gray house/brown roof does not work. It diminished the importance of the house and draws the eye to the roof instead.

If budget allows.
Patrick
Original Author
6 years ago
Appreciate everyone's responses. We've thought about shutters before but did worry about the size of the windows and also the color of the shutters.

We can't find a color that we really like with the color of our roof being what it is. I know you can paint roofs now but do not know if that would damage a roof that is 3 years old or not, or if that is even worth it.

The landscaping and sidewalk is probably what we need to attack first and see if that detracts enough away from the house.
PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
While painting the house w/more of a contrast would really boost your curb appeal, doing a blue gray is not the right color. not w/that reddish/brown roof. cool grays will clash.
you could do a green or a blue w/warmer tones, reddish tones.

and by all means, tackle the landscape as well. you can't have one w/out the other.

what is going on w/the front door in this pic?
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Won't painting void any warranty and just ask for trouble? Especially with a darker, heat absorbing color. I agree with the suggestion to invest in landscaping. Your siding is a nice, neutral backdrop for beautiful plants.

What about a pergola above the garage where the 2nd story projects? It could either be above the garage door only or extend all the way across to the right side of the front door. it would add dimension and interest, provide a place to hang flowering plants or train up viney plants, and guide people to your front door.

Terrible visual explanation straight ahead...
Patrick
Original Author
6 years ago
Beth - I photoshopped the front door back in front of some family members standing there. Thanks for the warm color suggestions, we’re going to keep looking to see if there’s any we really like. Think we will probably wait for the paint color after we get some landscaping down and done.

Benjes - we’ve thought of the pergola idea before but we’re unsure on it. There is a foot hangover from the first level, I fear with that it wouldn’t add much dimension - but maybe I’m wrong. We’re looking for anything to give some curb appeal to the front and call it our own.
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
I think putting pergola level with the bottom of the 2nd floor will hide and update the overhang to something intentional. I wish I could find you an example, but my image searches came up empty.
Patrick
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the help Benjes.

So you're thinking more along the lines of option 1 rather than option 2. Option 1 would have posts going down to the ground so I could have the pergola at the same level as the bottom of the second floor.

Option 2 would be above the garage but below the level of the second floor.
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I was thinking slightly above the main floor gutter. I think it should extend beyond the garage to include your entry way, drawing the eye to the front door and making it special as well. The left and right sides of your home look a bit disjointed, so maybe a pergola like this would create a more connected look.

The photo below your house is just an example of extending a pergola from garage door to front door.

Pergola over the Garage · More Info
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
As I was looking for photos of pergolas, I saw this photo which I thought might serve as inspiration for you. The body color looks similar to your home. I love the door color. Oversized lanterns in oil rubbed bronze. Natural wood pergola that relates well to your brown roof. Stone patio....

Traditional Home With Lots of Color · More Info
Geneviève
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
A bit more landscaping will also give the house a much better look, also some shrubs along the privacy fence .

This colour would be my choice
Salem Avenue Renovation · More Info
njmomma
6 years ago
Not a Pro.

Why paint. The color on your home works. It may not be your ideal color, but it works. Spend your money else where.

May be repeating some above.

The house needs a good washing.

Landscaping

New paint color on Door or new Door

Stain your fence

Large Ceramic Pots on both sides of Garage door filled with flowers.

Walk way to the door needs to be more established. Two walkways to the front door. One from the driveway and One near the walkway.

Light fixtures changed out and more prominent

Inspiration for Walkways to Front Door:

South Milwaukee · More Info
Patrick
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the advice everyone. My brother in law who is in construction is going to come help us with the pergola, he's got some equipment that I don't. From there, we're going to run some landscaping curved in front of the house and down the driveway a bit. Still undecided on new lights out front but we are also going to spice up our home address lettering. I'll upload pics when the time come, thanks again.
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
Well, that's exciting Pat. Thanks for keeping us posted.
partim
6 years ago
Before you add a pergola, I'd have a pro come give you a landscape plan. That may be all you need.
Denise Marchand
6 years ago
Consider concentrating of making your front entrance more inviting and welcoming. Here are a few inspiration pics for some exterior paint solutions.

Add heavy trim around the windows and front entrance. Notice on the last pic how the trim accentuates the window door combo. You do not have the space above your door, but we can play around with it.

Notice the intersection of the trim on the second floor in the center of the window and how the color is lighter about the trim at the top. It gives that flat plane much more dimension and interest.

In the future you may want to consider adding a portico over the front also. You have a perfect area for a front like the first pic without the stone. Actually, flag stone from under the picture window of your living room all the way across to include the garage would be fabulous.

My comments are all over the place, sorry, but at least you get some ideas that are not overwhelming. You can do it!