Eleven Factors to Consider in Residential Exterior Paint Color Selection
While exterior paint is, first and foremost, protection from the elements, the beauty and ambiance that well-chosen color combinations bring are very much appreciated, too.
If you’re uncertain about refreshing the same inherited color scheme and are considering a new palette, here are eleven factors to consider in selecting residential exterior paint combinations:
1. Climate & Regional Influences
Color blends connote and reflect diverse types of landscapes:
- Central Ohio – we are blessed with a variety of landscapes including rolling hillsides, rivers, woodlands, and modern urban areas – so, your color choices really depend on your immediate neighborhood (or lack thereof)
- Hot/sunny regions – lighter colors reflect heat better
- Coastal/lake areas – soft, beach-inspired hues such as blue, white, and light yellow often fit the landscape
- Forested/mountainous terrains – earth tones and greens blend well
2. Architectural Style
Certain colors complement specific home styles:
- Farmhouse, Greek Revival, and Federal Style – soft whites & creams, muted earth colors, and brick red, crisp white trim, and bolder colors (dark green, black, mahogany) for doors and accents
- Colonial Revival – white, soft greys, taupe, and muted beige, crisp white or creamy white trim, and bolder colors (dark green, deep blue, red, navy) for doors and accents
- Victorian – bold, multi-color schemes
- Modern/minimalist – neutral or monochrome palettes
- Craftsman – earthy greens, browns, and muted reds
Choosing a stylistically appropriate palette enhances curb appeal and can accentuate specific architectural elements of your home.
3. Neighborhood Context & Homeowners Association (HOA) Rules
Look at surrounding houses. Perhaps, you want to stand out but not clash. Some neighborhoods/HOAs regulate acceptable color ranges. Do you want to create a contrast, blend in, or present something in between?
4. Prominent Components of Your Home
Consider colors that blend well and accentuate elements of your home that won’t change and will sit beside your painted components – such as roof shingles, brick, stone, pathways, trim materials, etc. Your paint should harmonize with these prominent, permanent features.
5. Lawn and Garden / Plantings Around Your Home
To enjoy maximum curb appeal in blooming seasons: what colors will go well with your flowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses when they bloom? Maybe you want a bright color presence in winter when blooms are dormant, and greenery is not in yet. Recently, Trusted Coatings repainted a beautiful house creamy white with sage green trim (going away from prior beige main color). This color combination looks beautiful with the red brick trim, white coneflowers and surrounding greenery. Additionally, the homeowner’s color choices will look bright and inviting during winter, too.
6. Natural Lighting & Orientation
Sunlight shifts how colors look throughout the day. South-facing homes often appear brighter, while north-facing homes may need warmer hues to avoid looking dull. Factor our Ohio seasons and light characteristics into your color decision.
7. Color Psychology & Mood
Color plays a role in inducing emotions, setting the mood of your home, and projecting your aesthetic tastes.
- Neutrals – timeless, versatile, less risk of clashing
- Blues & greens – calming and natural
- Bold hues (such as reds, yellows) – energetic, striking, and less buttoned up, but can be polarizing
- Dark tones – elegant, modern, but can fade faster in harsh sunlight
8. Trim & Accent Colors
Don’t just think of the main body color — trim, shutters, doors, and gutters need color coordination as well. Consider applying a classic 3-part formula to create harmony: main color + trim color + accent color.
9. Longevity & Maintenance
Central Ohio homes are often built with brick or siding (vinyl, wood, or composite), partly due to durability against freeze–thaw cycles and partly because Ohio has a history of local brickmaking. Dark colors may fade faster and show dust. Whites and exceptionally light shades can show mildew, dirt, and wear from weathering more quickly. Definitely consider durability and paint quality – ask yourself how often are you willing to repaint and/or hire Trusted Coatings?
1o. Personal Expression vs. Resale Value
As mentioned earlier, color plays an outsized role in expressing your aesthetic tastes. Additionally, your chosen color combinations can also impact resale value. If you plan to sell in a few years: neutral, widely appealing colors are safer. If you’re staying in your home long-term: lean toward colors that express your personality and taste. Color combinations that you’ll be pleased to live with and will welcome you home for years.
11. Historical / Preservation Requirements
Perhaps, you’re blessed with living in a historically significant neighborhood. In this scenario, you will want to select period appropriate color combinations to preserve the historical presence and embrace a vintage appeal.
Choosing an antique-leaning color palette properly embraces the architecture, keeps vintage styles fresh, and potentially, keeps you in the good graces of neighbors and preservation societies – with everyone happy about your traditional, period-embracing color combinations on display.
In Summary
When it’s all said and done, the best exterior paint color balances architecture style, environmental elements, permanent home fixtures, and your own personal taste with resale value – all while considering how lighting, neighborhood context, and upkeep affect the final look. Evaluate your color options with small tests before committing. View your color candidates morning, noon, and evening to see how light affects their presentation.
Please let us know if Trusted Coatings can support you by sharing our years of painting and color selection experience on your next pursuit of a mood-elevating, residential exterior masterpiece.