Well, Lori, that was an interesting bit of gutter info. Since we’re redoing the house, that’s what I needed to know!

I agree with you about doing the eaves the roof color, although I think your dad’s mock up looks good too.

Megan, what Lori posted makes sense to me. I agree with Weathy regarding the garage door. In your parents' case, it would look best the same color as the siding. Since the garage is up front, you want to pull focus from it to the front door entry area. Your dad's mock-up pulls my eye to the dark garage vs the house. Another thought is a garage door with windows across the top. It would add some interest and help break up the garage "wall."

I would match the roof and do gray gutters. Too much BLUE

I would add windows to the top panel in the garage door and add a wall pergola over that for a trailing vine like clematis or bleeding heart

Well, Lori, that was an interesting bit of gutter info

For some reason that made me lol! when I read it.

It's not a "rule", it's a guideline that you kind have to eyeball and go with your gut as far as whether the gutters should be roof or trim color. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes it's not.

But the guideline of just two color choices vs. white and every color in the rainbow makes it easier to think about.

here is what we did for our new build, matches the house color

[houzz=https://www.houzz.com/photos/new-build-gabe-phvw-vp~117057497]

That's funny people don't like the garage color. Right now the garage is the same color as the house, and it's this giant flat wall of blue, right up front. I find that more eye catching and distracting than the dark door. The dark door breaks of that big block of light blue and makes the overall look of the house more balanced. The dark color makes it fall back more, not pop forward.

Maybe post a picture of the house as it is currently? I do think adding windows would help.

Would your parents consider copper gutters and downspouts?

It can often be a challenge when garages are in front, no matter what color the doors are painted. Regardless of color, some windows would definitely be nice. I also like Beverly's pergola.

Change garage doors to ones with windows and then paint it the same color as house. I think gutters should match the roof.

I'd say charcoal gutters to match the roof, downspouts blue to match the siding and white garage doors with rectangle windows. Not sure a pergola works with this style of house.