We're finally going to paint the exterior of our house. And, let's just say our (poor) house is in some serious need of a new coat of paint. Our cape cod house dates back to the 1940's and honestly, I think it was only painted once in its life (when it was built).
Don't mind me while I post some of my favorite houses taken from our neighborhood. BTW, below is not our house.
1) If you pick the wrong color it can turn into a very expensive mistake. Who can fork up several thousands to have it repainted?
I don't know if it is my lack of experience (having never painted a house before), but I have a hard time visualizing what the color will look like. How much more diffused will the actual color be?
5) I've also been told that you must consider your roof and foundation color. It is also important to consider the style of the house and the color of the houses on your street.
So, do you have any tips to help with the daunting process of choosing a paint color for your house?
Don't mind me while I post some of my favorite houses taken from our neighborhood. BTW, below is not our house.
Love this cool blue/gray color
Picking out a color for your house is a little more complicated than just picking out a a color to paint a room.1) If you pick the wrong color it can turn into a very expensive mistake. Who can fork up several thousands to have it repainted?
A nice subdued pale yellow color
2) We have aluminum siding so I am told I can not paint a swatch of the color on the side of the house, so I have used large poster boards to test the paint colors. I find this very annoying. Isn't there an easier way?
An unexpected green with a light blue door. Very fresh.
3) It's hard to imagine the entire house in your swatch color. For example, if the color looks too dark, I am told not to worry because painting the exterior of a house is like blowing up a balloon. At first, the color of the balloon is saturated, but once you start blowing air into it, the color becomes more diffused (this advice was given to me from a color consultant). I don't know if it is my lack of experience (having never painted a house before), but I have a hard time visualizing what the color will look like. How much more diffused will the actual color be?
A classic white home w/midnight blue shutters and door.
4) We hope to move in 12 to 18 months, so the colors I pick need to appeal to the masses to increase our resale value. At the end of the day, I think I am just going to have to play it safe and try to pick conservative colors. 5) I've also been told that you must consider your roof and foundation color. It is also important to consider the style of the house and the color of the houses on your street.
So, do you have any tips to help with the daunting process of choosing a paint color for your house?