Need help choosing colors for exterior

last year

1970’s ranch with brick and cedar needs some attention and curb appeal.
Roof is brown but will be updated in next 5 years

Option #1 paint cedar in White, leave brick as is, paint gutters, soffit, facia, downspouts in black. Eventually get black windows but would be white for now.

Option #2 paint cedar in Grey (light to medium). Keep windows white.

I have considered painting the brick but am not sure what long term resale implications are or what maintenance looks like when brick is painted.

Posting pictures of my home and also ideas for inspiration of homes I like color scheme.

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Comments (11)

Maritza Ramirez
Original Author
last year
I need help, these are some of the colors I like.
kandrewspa
last year
The picture of your garage looks like the best representation of the brick. It looks mostly brown/taupe. It is not unattractive. Maybe you're just tired of it? I rarely recommend painting brick - only if it's truly ugly. Painting brick turns it from a no maintenance surface to a surface requiring maintenance - once you paint it you will have to repaint it when the paint wears down. Whether painting it would reduce its value is a question for a real estate agent, but personally I would never buy a painted brick house and I don't think I am the only one who would feel that way. I am also really over the white house with black windows look.

Your inspiration photos tell me you wish you had a different house. :-) All of those colors are cool colors that wouldn't look good with the brick. The eaves on the garage look gray. If they were closer to a color found in the brick and you painted the garage door the same color I think that would be an improvement. The siding panels on the front would look better if they were the same darker color. Painting them white would not be an improvement. I don't think black windows are a good idea either. Most window manufacturers have some sort of dark bronze option which would fit the brick better than black. You could paint your front door a more vibrant color - something in the red/orange/yellow family or green. I don't know if any of these things would make you like your house more. If you love it for other reasons maybe you can tolerate it the way it is for a while longer until the trends come back around to brown.
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I don’t think there is any green siding. I think it is a tan or taupe color. After the rain I will get a another pic of the siding up close. I totally agree about the front porch. My sister gave me the bench before she passed so it is like gum on my shoe but maybe I could up-cycle it into something small and lighter in color. I have thought the same thing about a rug as well. Thank you so much for your suggestions. I so badly want to feel like our homes exterior makes sense and matches.
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Maritza Ramirez
Original Author
last year
I don’t hate the brick, I’m just trying to find a color to compliment it at this point. I’ve looked at too many options and have confused myself Lol
Maritza Ramirez
Original Author
last year
Also, the house needs a paint job badly as it is peeling from the cedar. See picture here for closer look.
Sigrid
last year
white would be too stark. A warm cream might work. I wouldn't do black windows. You have warm brick, so the bright white/black trim as in your inspo pic #3 won't work. It's easiest to see the colors on the garage. The current color is good and the garage would look great with a brown door, not that bright white.
ShadyWillowFarm
last year
Retake the pictures with the sun shining towards the facade - the front is shaded, making it impossible to tell what color the brick is. A few hours later take pics of the back when the sun is shining on the back.
Maritza Ramirez
Original Author
last year
The garage door is brand new so I would rather not paint it. I agree with all white windows
tracefloyd
last year
last modified: last year
Do not paint brick -- like you said peeling and maintenance. Water can get under paint and destroy the mortar.

I agree that with a mid-century the aim is to accentuate the style.

If you don't care for the monochrome brick and siding as suggested, choose a nice sage for the siding to make the MCM architectural detail and for the brick to stand out. Trim the shrubs around the far right panel to make it visible.

Look at Sherwin Williams Cucuzza Verde 9038

For the front door look as SW Raucous Orange 6883
Michelle
last year
Your brick color on looks like you have dark browns and taupe tones in it. I would go with sw urbane bronze. it will look amazing.
Maritza Ramirez
Original Author
last year
What about Revere Pewter from Benjamin Moore? This grey has a green undertone
cat_ky
last year
No grays, you have a brown roof, and it appears there is a lot of brown in your brick. Pick a color directly from your brick. Gray isnt a good color with your roof and brick. I would forget about black windows too. Keep them white, or otherwise, a brownish color.