5 of the Best Exterior House Paint Colors for Spring
Goodbye, dark, primary shades — hello coastal colors and soft neutrals!
Does your house need a facelift this spring? There's nothing like a fresh coat of paint for instant curb appeal. Of course, a home's exterior should reflect the style of the inhabitant (you!), but there are a few paint colors that are particularly pretty this time of year.
"It's important to note that exterior paint color trends don't shift as often as interior trends colors — exterior paint colors typically are chosen based on architectural style and geography," says Dee Schlotter, senior color marketing manager at PPG Paints.
With that said, today's homeowners seem to be ditching dark, primary hues in favor of cool coastal colors and soft neutrals that complement natural materials. Gray in particular is having a major moment because of its ability to blend into any setting, while still seeming sophisticated. First, a few things to consider when painting your house:
•The architecture. "When selecting color for the exterior of a home, rather than focus on what is 'in' or 'out,' look to colors that are appropriate for the architecture of the home and take into consideration the building materials used on the home," says Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore color and design expert.
•The surrounding houses. "I do recommend homeowners consider the neighborhood's color palette to harmonize best with the environment," says Sue Kim, Valspar color expert. "It's best not to choose colors that are extreme, bright and bold to ensure they have a timeless exterior."
•The power of neutrals. "When applied to exteriors, neutral color palettes can give a home a look of maturity, timelessness and integrity," Schlotter says. Look for shades that are not too warm and not too cool.
Read on for five paint colors we're loving this spring.
White with Bold Accents
You can't go wrong with a classic. "To bring in accents of color that reflect your personal style or to add some personality to the exterior, use the front door as a colorful focal point," Magno says. "Painting a house is a large project, so look to working on a smaller scale by painting a front door, which offers up the opportunity bring in a dash a color that can go a long way."
Details: Benjamin Moore White Diamond OC-61, accented with Caliente AF-290 door and Harbor Haze 2136-60 shutters
Buttery Yellow
"Subtle yellows have the ability to breathe life into a home and can convey a friendly environment to guests," Schlotter says. "A warm house is often perceived as more welcoming and family-oriented." This buttery yellow will make guests feel instantly at home before they even step in the door. For contrast, opt for black shutters and white trim. But steer clear of overly bright yellows or neon shades, as they can easily clash or come off as aggressive and overpowering.
Details: PPG Paints Barely Butter PPG1205-3 house, accented with PPG Paints Blackhearth PPG1003-7 shutters and PPG Paints Sugar Soap PPG1084-1 trim
Sky Blue
"Working with colors inspired by the natural landscape creates an instant connection to the exterior of the home is always a good route to take, plus these colors will endure for years," Magno says. "Also, the exterior of a house is a much larger scale than painting one room, so think about how a large amount of a color will look to avoid choosing a color that will be overly bright for the neighborhood." Inspired by and named for the horizon, this pretty pastel blue (on the right) hits just the right now.
Details: Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53 (right)
Warm Gray and Green
Gray is here to stay, Kim says. "I've noticed homeowners desire gray colors that complement their current exterior materials, such as stone or brick. I've seen a strong push for warm grays like 5006-2A Wet Pavement, which help balance the natural materials, as well as colorful neutrals like 5002-1B Smoke Infusion, which has a sense of sophistication."
Details: Valspar 5002-1B Smoke Infusion, accented with 5008-3B Spearmint Shale and 7006-1 Wispy White trim
Moody Gray
Don't be afraid to go to the dark side, either. Just keep the trim and surrounding landscaping light and airy, as seen here.
Details: Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain 2134-30 accented with Secret AF-710 trim
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