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Selecting the Right Paint for Exterior House Design

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Are you looking to update the look of your home?

Depending on the type of house exterior design you have, you can drastically change the look of your home with the right paint colors. Choose from many shades of already existing colors, or get creative with a color you want that may not be listed on the can.

Interior and exterior house design comes down to selecting the right paint for the job. Read on to learn how to select the perfect paint color for your exterior home design!

Consider Your Home’s Style

Before you start browsing paint swatches, take a moment to consider your home’s architectural style. Different styles call for different color palettes.

For instance, a Victorian gothic-inspired home might benefit from classic and elegant colors. While a modern house could pull off bolder and more contemporary shades. Sticking to a color scheme that complements your home’s style ensures a harmonious and visually appealing result.

Evaluate Your Surroundings

Your home doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s part of a neighborhood and landscape. Take a look at the surrounding houses and natural elements. Choose a paint color that blends well with the environment.

If you live in a wooded area, earthy tones might be a good choice. If your neighborhood has a mix of vibrant colors, consider a more neutral hue that stands out while still fitting in.

Mind the Material

Not all exterior surfaces are created equal. Different materials, such as wood, stucco, brick, or vinyl siding, require different types of paint.

Make sure to choose a paint that’s suitable for the material of your home’s exterior. This ensures proper adhesion, longevity, and a professional finish.

Test in Various Lighting Conditions

Paint can look very different under various lighting conditions. What seems like the perfect color in the store might appear completely different under natural sunlight or artificial lighting.

To avoid any surprises, test your chosen paint colors on a small section of your home’s exterior. Observe how they look during different times of the day to make an informed decision.

Consider the Climate

The weather conditions in your area play a crucial role in the durability of your exterior paint. If you live in a region with extreme temperatures, high humidity, or frequent rain, opt for a paint that’s formulated to withstand such conditions. This will help prevent peeling, cracking, and fading, keeping your home looking fresh and well-maintained for years to come.

Consult Professionals

Home painting can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not well-versed in paint types and finishes. Enlist the expertise of professionals like Green Summit Contracting who specialize in exterior house design. They can provide valuable insights, recommend suitable paint options, and even offer you a glimpse of how your chosen colors might look through virtual tools.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Paint for Exterior House Design

The right paint for exterior house design is an important decision. It should be a choice you can be proud of and that will last. Be sure to do the proper research and consult a professional if needed to ensure a quality finish.

So don’t wait – contact a local professional today and get started on finding the best paint for your exterior design project!

Was this helpful? If so, please keep browsing our blog for more handy home improvement tips.

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, OUTDOORS, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – Matching Front Door and Garage Door

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“I’m going to paint my front door a new colour something with some pop but do I need to paint my garage door in the same colour, so they match?”

Great question and a bit of a tricky one….it really comes down to how bold you want to be with your exterior’s statement, the architectural style of the home, the colour you choose, the exterior materials and overall personal preference.

For instance, if you are choosing a classic paint colour like black …

this looks great on the front door and garage door – it’s a more traditional style but a classic never goes out of fashion. This also works with a a minimalist or modern home- clean lines and simplicity are key and generally that style isn’t about being overly colourful.


Photo from Bright Green Door

If you want to be a bit more adventurous with your front door colour…

we suggest keeping the garage door more tame.  The garage door colour should match another colour on the home’s exterior.  A good idea is to have it match the framing around the door and windows. If the house has shutters, we like the shutters to match either the garage or the front door – this gives consistency to the exterior – or they should coordinate with another exterior colour maybe even the roof but the shutters need to connect with another exterior element. Too many colours on a home’s exterior is distracting and it is confusing for the eye!

Photo from Zillow –

For homes that have a lot of texture like stone, brick, shingles, beams etc…

we like to see a wood front door and garage door – the allows the materials to shine. In this case, a home exterior with a lot of natural materials we suggest making a statement with a beautiful wood door (the garage doors can also be wood or they can coordinate with another colour on the exterior). When it comes to picking your front door colour – be sure to pick a colour that is flattering with your exterior materials.


Photo from best-home-decorpictures.us

You don’t need to match your door colours but you want to take into consideration a few factors (mentioned above) and also the statement you want to make.  If you want a really bright and bold colourful door – let that be the focal point and let the other elements including the garage door play a complimentary role.

Photo from thisoldhouse.com

With a garage door in a complimentary tone this really allows for your front door to be the WOW factor!

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INTERIOR DECORATING TIPS, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – Best Front Door Colour

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“I have a red masonry home and the style of my home is quite traditional.  I want to paint my front door in something that’s a bit more fun (currently my door is black).  Any ideas?”

 

Painting your front door is an easy update and it can really transform the look of your home.  Your exterior is a classic and paired with a black door you have a timeless look.  But you can update the exterior with some paint and it can really make a huge difference.

 


We love this home located in Carleston, SC (USA).  This look is timeless.  The matte black against the masonry is classic and the cream trim matches the cream mortar. 

Assuming your roof is neutral like black or possibly charcoal – you have lots of options.

But remember when you are picking an exterior paint colour you really need to work with what finishes are already there.  So the shade of red is important. We also suggest looking at the region for inspiration.  A soft beachy blue for example works well in Southern climates like the Carolinas but looks out of place in Northern climates, so keep that in mind as well.

For instance, if you have a terracotta (orange) this works well with colours such as navy blue or even a cobalt blue, dark taupe, dark (warm) grey, khaki and olive are nice green options, a deep cranberry and espresso are good options as well.

This orange tone home looks current with this charcoal door with warm white trim.  

 

This exterior has orange tones that have a few more variations but the olive-sage door looks fresh and clean especially with the warm white trim.  This home has a lot of charm and is warm and inviting.

 

Now, if you have an exterior tone that is a deeper tone like a brownish red or a burgundy…

you will want to look at paint colours such as navy blue, charcoal grey, deep olive green, a dark cranberry with brown undertones is another great option.  If you are looking for something a bit more unusual try a teal door with warm white trim. A red door is also a great look on a deeper red exterior home.  It’s a classic but it isn’t as formal.



This navy door with white trim against the burgundy masonry is a very classic look but it looks great and isn’t as formal as the black door. 


 This teal painted door is a fresh and fun look but works with the reddish tones.

 
This burgundy home looks great with a red door – notice how the shade of red in the door isn’t orange, it is a true red.

These are some great options for your front door and as you know already paint can make a huge difference.  Be sure to pay attention to the other features like the trim (is it chipping?), the mailbox, doorbell, grip set and address numbers – are they in good shape? Do they need replacing or repairing? Those small details can make a huge difference in the exterior and curb appeal of your home.

Your home needs to put it’s best foot forward and a fresh coat of paint on your door in the right colour will make a lasting impression!

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HOME STAGING, WE ANSWER WEDNESDAY

We Answer Wednesday – How to create curb appeal in the early spring

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“My house is hitting the real estate market very soon.  I know we have a great house on the inside but right now in this early spring weather, it’s not looking great.  What can we do to increase our curb appeal when our gardens aren’t in bloom?”

 

You are so right!

Depending on where you live this time of year isn’t the prettiest.  The good news is there are simple things that you can do to show off your great outdoor space. But your home is on the market now and you don’t want to wait until the gardens are in full bloom.

 

The gardens aren’t quite in bloom yet and the garden centers are gearing up for the season but in some areas it is still a bit early for planting.  But the grass is green, so use what you have and make the best of it.  So start with giving your yards (front and back) a good raking.  There is always some dead leaves and branches on the ground – just getting those off the grass will give the exterior a clean look.  Depending on your area you grass might be a bit on the long side.  So give it a mow and you will notice how much neater everything looks.

 

Flowers are a great way to add a splash of colour but because you are selling you might not want to make a huge investment in flowers this spring season plus it is still a bit early for planting.  A great alternative is planters at the front of the house and if you have a great deck space, some planters at the back are a nice touch too. So in these early spring days which flowers can handle this fresher weather? Potted Pansies are a great option – they are sturdy and colourful and if you take care of them, they will last all summer.  A bit of height is a good idea when creating your planters – in the spring we love forsythia – the pop of yellow draws the eye in!

 

Remember these 3 words when creating a planter:

Spill, Fill and Thrill

 

– in other works, have some greenery or flowers that hang over the edge of the planter, have some plants and flowers that fill the majority of the pot (of medium height) and some height – the image below is a great example of a spring planter.

 

Create a welcoming vignette at the front door – this is the buyers first impression of the home so make it count! If you have a porch put out a bench with a pillow for a pop of colour.  Try a wreath on the front door.

Just because it isn’t summer yet doesn’t mean you can’t set the scene for buyers.  So pull out and dust off that patio furniture – maybe this is a bit early than usual but remember you are show casing your home for buyers so you want them to see how they would enjoy summer BBQs and get togethers outside.  So place the furniture like you would if you were entertaining so have a dining area and a seating area. Roll out the BBQ and take off the cover.  Now that the furniture is set up and clean, make it pretty with some outdoor pillows and maybe even an outdoor rug – it creates a welcoming scene for buyers.

 

 

Want to take it to the next level?

For the photos you can set the dining table or at the seating area, set up a tray with a pitcher  – this will help make that emotional connection with the potential buyers who are looking online.

If you have a pool, make sure to have it open and running.  A pool always looks better (and photographs better) when it is blue and beautiful!

If you have incredible gardens or a beautiful flowering tree look through your photos and see if you have some beautiful ‘full bloom’ summer photos to share with your agent – these would be great to show buyers as well.

Other curb appeal factors to look into:

– check all exterior lighting are the bulbs in working order ?
– brush away any cobwebs or other debris that may have collected over the winter
– check the mailbox, is it rusted or loosely affixed to the house?
– does your doorbell work?
– how is the paint on the front door?
– how is the roof?
– sweep the walkways, driveway, porch and decks

Buyers are looking to buy their new home not your old one – so take the time to set the scene and get it sold quickly!

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