If you’re considering selling your home or are ready to improve your curb appeal, there’s plenty you can do to make your home beautiful. A major change could be changing the color of your home.

However, it’s not a decision you’ll want to make lightly. An exterior paint job is an investment that can change the entire look of your home for good. Choosing the right colors can sometimes be the most difficult part of any paint project. To help, here are a few suggestions on the best exterior house colors.

Exterior Paint Elements

While you may see your home as one whole item, when it comes to painting, there are many separate items to be considered. If it was all painted one color, your home would look very dull. It’s a good idea to have a house color and an accent color or two to make it stand out. Here are a few elements to consider:

• Siding: Should be your main color focal point.
• Window & Door Trim: Neutral accent colors work best here.
• Front Door: Make your front door pop with color.
• Railings & Spindles: Another area you can play with an accent color or neutral.
• Shutters: While neutral accents work best, some homeowners like to coordinate with their door or trim color here.

1. Gray

Trending both inside and out is gray in all shades. Depending on what you choose for your siding, it can be complemented by different accent colors. A light gray home looks great with black and white accents, making it a look that will never go out of style. While dark gray really pops with white accents on your trim and shutters, with a yellow or blue front door. This is a hot color scheme that will be in style for a long time.

2. Beige

If you’re looking to stay neutral, beige is a great exterior home color. This can be paired with white accents along with the trim, shutters and front door for a clean look. It’s a look that will never go out of style and is great if you’re looking to sell your home.

However, if you’d like to add a little color to your home’s exterior, red makes a great accent color for the front door, railings and more.

3. Brown

Dark brown is often associated with a rustic home look. It’s warm and inviting, with the right colors. Against a dark brown, a tan or light brown works well as an accent neutral. For an accent hue, dark green or deep red make great choices here as well. However, stained wood front doors, railings and other exterior elements will really help complete this rustic look.

4. White

Some homeowners tend to shy away from white as an exterior home color because it can get dirty. However, it actually gives off a clean and elegant style for your home. Accent colors can be fun to play with here because white makes for the perfect canvas for anything to stand out. Black and white are always a combination that will go together but, have you considered a black, white and gray home?

On a white home, the color of your front door will really stand out from the rest. So, if you like to play with color, this could be the perfect color for your exterior siding.

5. Green

Light, sage green is the new up-and-coming color for home exteriors. If you’re looking for a non-neutral but not ready to take a bold step into one of the brighter hues, this is the color for you. Paired with gray and white, it’s a great color scheme to introduce to your home.

6. Navy Blue

Another bold color look that’s becoming more popular is navy blue. Paired with a white accent and for a bit of a bolder look, a red front door, it is sure to make your home stand out in a wonderful way on your block.

7. Red

For homeowners who want a bold look, red is the way to go. Of course, it should be complimented by plenty of accent neutrals to even out the look. White and dark gray perfectly compliment a red home to make it warm and welcoming.

Cost To Paint A House

If you’ve found your color scheme and are ready to get started on your exterior paint job, it’s a good idea to budget for the project before purchasing all the paint. Much of the costs will be based on the size of your home and what you’ll be painting. If you’ll only be updating the color of your trim or shutters, the costs could be less than painting the exterior siding of your home. The average cost to paint a home exterior is $2,490, with most homeowners spending between $1,926 and $2,837.

Conclusion

The choice of exterior house paint is one that can change the curb appeal of your home. While it should express your individual style, you should also take into account the ROI you will see when it comes time to sell. Keep an eye on current exterior paint color trends to see what the best fit might be for your home.