Exterior paint colors, Recommendations please

I wanted to do a little research in providing some assistance here. I know that the simplest way from your standpoint, Thom, would be to just provide some paint color tones, but I think that might be an oversimplification. As such, I went to a Sherwin Williams forum to see what their recommendations are, and here are the two most valuable pieces of information I obtained there:

Q: What are the most common mistakes homeowners make when choosing exterior paint colors?

A:Assuming that a colorful and imaginative color scheme will cost a great deal more for product and labor. Unless the scheme is a "painted lady" with numerous colors, this is rarely the case.

Accenting unattractive elements such as gutters, downspouts, a protruding garage door, air conditioning units, unevenly placed windows, etc.

Ignoring neighboring houses: your color scheme choice should not clash with the neighbor's house — it's a lose-lose situation. Choose a scheme that blends with the neighborhood or stands out in a subtle, unobtrusive manner.

Landscaping counts: consider tress that change color, flowering shrubs, flower gardens when selection colors, for compatibility. Heavily wooded lots will make colors look darker due to shade; also could camouflage homes, so attention to detail is needed. Greens are not a good choice in this situation.

The second piece of information is as follows:
Traditionally, white and light colors were perceived to be safe choices. However, as consumers have gained more confidence with color, and as a broader spectrum of colors have been made available for exterior use, those "traditional" approaches are changing. Today, tinted neutrals that play off landscaping and other building materials are increasingly being used, as are midtone values of neutrals.

So, in summary, look at the neighborhood and the landscaping, then choose tinted neutrals in the light to midtone range that do not clash with the neighborhood, with possible tasteful accents of attractive features of the home.

Hi Coach thanks, Jim

I was going to say neutrals, but don't clash with the neighborhood! Dark Greys are becoming quite popular, but then again, you have to compare, maybe use as only a trim color.

Dallin covered it nicely. I would just like to add one thing. As stated, it’s very important to scan the neighborhood and see what the general palate is. You don’t want to be the purple house in a yellow neighborhood. Once you have the color you plan to paint, choose a deep, rich accent color. Paint the trim and highlight unique features of your home with tasteful, rich, complimentary colors. This will help your house stand out, and draw the buyer’s attention to those architectural details of your home.

Thanks to all for your additional comments.

I got thinking more about colors based on Cory's comments above, which are, as always, spot on. What we are trying to create is curb appeal. As a definition of curb appeal, let's use the terms tasteful and striking.

I'd like to make sure that we are all clear that curb appeal does not mean curb attack. If your color selection assaults the average set of eyes, you will find buyers driving by without even stopping.

To find some exterior or interior color combinations that work well together, try going to some of the paint companies' websites. I was impressed that www.benjaminmoore.com has areas that show color combinations and provide actual paint chip numbers for reference, and sherwin williams site has some of the same, even regionalized to some degree.

Hey there Thom, I too have just finished fixing a home that is currently on the market and will be sold soon. I live in south Florida so some features in exterior preferences may be similar, since we both live in tropical areas. I chose a light neutral light yellow color with white trim for mine. But i think its very important to think about what the landscaping will look like when you are done.

For instance, if you are going to add a lot of color with your landscaping, such as fresh sod and plants, you don't really have to worry about adding too much color with the paint. On the flip side, if your paint color is going to be bold, then make sure that landscaping doesn't clash with the exterior paint colors, you want landscaping to enhance the appeal, not take away from it.

Also, here are two tricks that I used before going with my final color (my final color was the 3rd one i tried):
-Go to your local paint store and buy a small pint size sample of the color you like and paint a small part of your exterior with this color. If you don't like it, you did't waste a whole lot of money and you can go back and get more of the color you really like.

-Drive through some similar neighborhoods that compare with your rehab home location. Pic some nice homes that appeal to you and take a snapshot of the home (you may want to ask the homeowner's permission), then ask the homeowner if they remember what color they used. If that doesn't help, ask your sub contractor is he or she can match the color in the snapshot.

This should work well since you'll know what the end result will be before you waste money painting and then don't like the color.

Hope it all goes well,
Sarah H.

Great feedback from everyone, Really appreciate all the advice, Thank you! This house was a mess with flaking paint that needed to be scraped, sanded, and grinded before paint. This was a rental property and not a retail sale. Its now rented and cash flowing so onto the next!

To all our success, lets keep moving forward!

Thom