Start With Your Fixed Elements
Before you open a single paint swatch, look at what you cannot change. Your roof color, stone or brick accents, concrete walkways, and established landscaping are permanent features that your paint colors need to complement -- not compete with.
Take photos of these elements in natural light and bring them to the paint store or your color consultation. Every successful exterior palette starts with the elements that are already in place.
Consider Your Neighborhood and HOA
Your home does not exist in isolation. Drive through your neighborhood and notice the prevailing color palette. You do not need to match your neighbors, but a dramatically out-of-place color choice can hurt curb appeal and resale value. If you have an HOA, check their color guidelines before you fall in love with a bold choice that may not be approved.
How PNW Light Affects Color Perception
This is where Pacific Northwest homeowners need to pay special attention. Our overcast skies produce diffused, cool-toned light for much of the year. Colors that look warm and vibrant under sunny skies can appear flat and gray under cloud cover.
In general, PNW homes benefit from colors with warm undertones. A gray with a hint of taupe will read richer than a pure blue-gray. Whites with creamy or yellow undertones feel inviting, while stark cool whites can look sterile under overcast skies. Darker colors like deep greens, navy, and charcoal tend to look sophisticated in our light.
The 3-Color Rule
The most reliable approach to exterior color is the three-color rule. You need three colors that work together:
- Body color -- the dominant color covering the largest surface area of your home
- Trim color -- used on window frames, fascia, soffits, and corner boards
- Accent color -- the front door, shutters, or other architectural details
Your body and trim should have enough contrast to define your home's architecture. The accent color is your opportunity to add personality and draw attention to your front entry.
Always Test With Large Swatches
Never choose an exterior color from a two-inch paint chip. Buy sample quarts and paint large swatches -- at least two feet by two feet -- directly on your siding. Place them on walls that face different directions and observe the color at different times of day. Morning, midday, and evening light will each tell you something different about the color.
Live with your test swatches for at least a week before making a decision. What looks perfect on day one may feel too bold or too dull after a few days of living with it.
Free Color Consultation
Choosing exterior colors is one of the most consequential design decisions you will make for your home. Fridenmaker Painting offers complimentary color consultations to help you navigate the options and land on a palette you will love for years. Reach out to schedule yours.
