Invigorate Your Home's Exterior With Color
For curb appeal and a knockout first impression, consider paint in shades from subtle to bright for the exterior of your home
Kelly Porter
June 17, 2012
Houzz Contributor
I have a confession to make. I often spend so much time and energy making sure the inside of my home is colorful and stylish that I end up neglecting the exterior. As often as I help clients with their exterior color selections, I should know better. A home's exterior provides that first impression, which shouldn't include sun-faded shutters. So this year I'm giving my home a fresh paint job, and I've collected colorful ideas that I'd like to share with you, just in case the outside of your home could use some TLC, too.
Purple is the star in this backyard. If you love purple but are shy about using it in the front of your home, a great idea is to use it somewhere in the back, such as for a porch, a sunroom or a bay window.
Suggested paint picks: Ballad, Mixed Berries and Purple Silhouette, Behr
Suggested paint picks: Ballad, Mixed Berries and Purple Silhouette, Behr
Yellow-green is a lighthearted color and a fun choice for a home's exterior. This color will add a whimsical touch to the neighborhood.
Suggested paint picks: Corn Husk Green and Grape Leaves, Behr
Suggested paint picks: Corn Husk Green and Grape Leaves, Behr
A red front door is synonymous with hospitality. When choosing a shade of red, look for a vivid hue with a touch of orange for big impact.
Suggested paint pick: Red Hot, Behr
Suggested paint pick: Red Hot, Behr
If you want your home to keep a low profile, try a tone-on-tone look. Here, two shades of grayish taupe work together to give this house a modest facade that doesn't stand out.
Suggested paint picks: Galveston Gray and Ozark Shadows, Benjamin Moore
Suggested paint picks: Galveston Gray and Ozark Shadows, Benjamin Moore
As this stately colonial demonstrates, a home with black shutters looks classic and elegant. Black looks especially crisp when paired with a lighter color such as this soft shade of yellow.
Suggested paint picks: Black Satin and Hawthorne Yellow, Benjamin Moore
Suggested paint picks: Black Satin and Hawthorne Yellow, Benjamin Moore
Indigo is an unexpected color, but this deep purplish-blue will give your home unmistakable appeal and provide visitors with an easy way to identify where you live.
Suggested paint pick: Lupine, Sherwin-Williams
Suggested paint pick: Lupine, Sherwin-Williams
Why not take clues from the beach and go for an ocean-inspired hue? Turquoise is the ultimate water color, and it will give your home a casual and relaxed feel all year long.
Suggested paint picks: Cool Blue and Ocean Breeze, Benjamin Moore
Suggested paint picks: Cool Blue and Ocean Breeze, Benjamin Moore
Happiness begins at the front door at this house. Orange is a festive, fun-filled color — one that is sure to put a smile on your face every day.
Suggested paint pick: Blaze Orange, Behr
Suggested paint pick: Blaze Orange, Behr
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Carey, I'm not sure from your photo if your stucco is grey or slightly green khaki? I think the deep green would be stately, restful and conservative. Rust red kind of bold. Soft yellow might be very pretty and light-hearted. Do you know how to Photoshop? It would be worthwhile to paint your photos with the three colors and look at them for a few days.
is anyone willing to give me advise?. I've talked with a color consultant and I'm still unsure what color(s) to paint my house. I'll try to upload a full frontal view but this is the right side of the house. the carport is in front of my front door and located in the center of my house. I have 2 more "pop out" windows like the one you see which are located on the other front half of the house. Any recommendations? I have a painter ready to go. (My house has several redwood trees on the property and a japanese maple is located front and center in front of the carport.)