Contemporary Exterior Colors

Color Trends

• The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute publishes its color trends and predictions every year. For 2010, it states that "trends for 2010 take inspiration from a variety of social and economic influences." These colors include pale gold, coral and yellow paired with mineral gray, or simple, classic hues that increase curb appeal for home sellers.

Geographical Influences

• Match a color to the environment or style of your home. For instance, while earth tones are a perennial favorite in Seattle, according to a Seattle Times article, choosing deep versions of those earth tones and using complementary colors can make them more contemporary. Try deep plum with mossy green, or gold and gray-green. If you live in the sunny Southwest where lighter, brighter colors are more common, put a modern twist on traditional terracotta tan and paint your stucco home fresh salmon paired with sky-blue trim.

Colors With a Twist

• You may live in a neighborhood where you're restricted to neutral colors, but that doesn't mean you can't spice them up a little. Look through a stack of paint swatches and you'll see that there's no such thing as truly "basic beige." All colors, even neutral ones, have underlying tones making them redder or golder, cooler or warmer, darker or lighter. Choose a warm yellow-hued beige for your siding, and instead of dark brown trim, use a cool complementary color, such as charcoal gray or muted sage green.

Accents

• Architectural details, such as shutters, wrought iron, and unique front doors can pop with contemporary and surprising color, even if the rest of your home is painted with neutral or traditional hues. If you have wrought iron railings, paint them navy blue or deep green instead of traditional black. Choose a fresh color for your front door---celery green or pumpkin orange. Accentuate shutters with a twist on classic colors by choosing pastel shades of traditional dark painted shutters.

Take Cues from Hue

• Paint company Benjamin Moore awards architects and color designers with the Hue award for skill in choosing contemporary and exciting colors and color combinations. Recent winners have included residencies with shades of gold siding paired with white, plum and light brown trim, sage green with shades of plum trim, and chocolate brown siding with creamy white woodwork and deep orange accents.