Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes
See how color variations change the look of this midcentury ranch-style home
I recently showed what a cute little blue house would look like in three different exterior color palettes. This week, we look at a handful of palettes on a recently renovated ranch-style home in Austin, Texas. The homeowner wanted to make her house stand out against a sea of white and tan homes in the neighborhood, and having a bold-hued front door was also of upmost importance. Check out four renderings of potential palettes, as well as the final, winning scheme.
Option 2: Warm and Welcoming
This option preserves the warmth of the cypress-clad accent area, amping it up through the addition of a light taupe siding color and a luscious berry hue for the front door. This siding color has a touch of gray in it, which gives it a modern edge.
Get the look: Front door in Cabernet Craving and siding in Tungsten, both from Kelly-Moore.
This option preserves the warmth of the cypress-clad accent area, amping it up through the addition of a light taupe siding color and a luscious berry hue for the front door. This siding color has a touch of gray in it, which gives it a modern edge.
Get the look: Front door in Cabernet Craving and siding in Tungsten, both from Kelly-Moore.
Option 3: Bright Yet Beachy
Staining the cypress a soft gray, or letting it gray naturally, gives a casual, beachy feel to the home. A soft watery hue for the siding reinforces this vibe. The front door’s bold yellow contains a bit of green, which gives it a fun, vibrant quality.
Get the look: Front door in Yellow Finch from Benjamin Moore, cypress accent in Beechwood Gray semitransparent stain from Cabot and siding in Blue Echo from Benjamin Moore.
Staining the cypress a soft gray, or letting it gray naturally, gives a casual, beachy feel to the home. A soft watery hue for the siding reinforces this vibe. The front door’s bold yellow contains a bit of green, which gives it a fun, vibrant quality.
Get the look: Front door in Yellow Finch from Benjamin Moore, cypress accent in Beechwood Gray semitransparent stain from Cabot and siding in Blue Echo from Benjamin Moore.
Option 4: Paint It Black
As much as I personally favor bold-hued front doors, I fully realize that not everyone is a fan. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something interesting. A glossy black front door adds an elegant note to the front of a home. The neutral green siding brings a subtle touch of color without competing with the dashing black or rich natural cypress.
Get the look: Front door in Raven Black and siding in False Cypress, both from Behr.
As much as I personally favor bold-hued front doors, I fully realize that not everyone is a fan. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something interesting. A glossy black front door adds an elegant note to the front of a home. The neutral green siding brings a subtle touch of color without competing with the dashing black or rich natural cypress.
Get the look: Front door in Raven Black and siding in False Cypress, both from Behr.
Option 5: The Chosen Scheme
Ultimately, the homeowner craved a buttery yellow hue for the front door. This particular yellow is certainly lively, but it manages to avoid being too eye-searingly intense. We kept the cypress natural and went with a medium blue-gray for the siding that allows the orange tones in the cypress to really stand out, making it the star of the facade.
Get the look: Front door in Daffodil and siding in Foggy Day, both from Sherwin-Williams.
Your turn: Which scheme is your favorite? Or what other colors would you recommend? Tell us in the Comments.
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Ultimately, the homeowner craved a buttery yellow hue for the front door. This particular yellow is certainly lively, but it manages to avoid being too eye-searingly intense. We kept the cypress natural and went with a medium blue-gray for the siding that allows the orange tones in the cypress to really stand out, making it the star of the facade.
Get the look: Front door in Daffodil and siding in Foggy Day, both from Sherwin-Williams.
Your turn: Which scheme is your favorite? Or what other colors would you recommend? Tell us in the Comments.
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Choosing Color: See 1 Cute Home in 3 Exterior Paint Palettes
Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
It can get quite hot in Austin in the summertime, so cool colors tend to be appealing on homes here. This pretty aqua front door contrasts sharply with the surrounding inky-blue accent, making the home’s entrance crystal clear. Dark house colors can weather more quickly than lighter colors. Reserving the darkest hue of the palette for a small recessed accent area limits the exposure to the sun’s damaging rays.
Get the look: Front door in Kingston Aqua, siding in Chalky Blue and accent in Calvary, all from PPG Pittsburgh Paints.