How to Find the Best Colors for the Exterior of My House

Walk around your neighborhood, and examine the exterior color of the homes. Select colors for your home that blend in with the houses of your neighbors. Take note of any attractive color schemes.

Keep in mind you need to select colors for three parts of your home's exterior: the main body, the trim and the accents.

Choose a color for the main body of the house that blends with the roof shingles. Remember that light color schemes make a house look larger and dark color schemes make a house look smaller.

Select a color for the trim such as the soffits and window casings. Choose a color that contrasts with the main body color if you want to highlight the trim, and use the main body color if you want to deemphasize the trim. For a compromise between highlighting and deemphasizing, select a different shade of the main body color.

Select a color for the accents such as entry doors. You can choose a color that contrasts with the main body color or complements it.

Go to the paint store, and purchase small samples of the various colors you have selected. Test the paint colors on small sections of the house. Determine if these colors are your final choices.