Whether it’s 50 shades of white or 50 shades of grey you’re faced with, picking colours for your home can send you in a spin. If you’re sick of going round in circles; here are a few tips.
Firstly, there’s no hard and fast rule about what looks good on a home. Of course lighter colours make things appear larger generally, and darker colours make things appear smaller, but don’t let those concepts guide you too much for your exterior renovation.
The main things to consider are;
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1) The style you’re aiming for: If you want Hamptons coastal, then a dark grey isn’t going to cut the mustard. But if you want a contemporary bachelor pad, then dark grey could be the perfect choice. Have a look on Pinterest for some ideas.
2) Existing/remaining colours; What parts of your exterior are you changing and which are you leaving as is? It’s important to work with the colours you have. For example, if you have cream windows that you’re not planning to change, then consider a creamier based light grey or cream/white colour to go alongside. A bright white will only highlight the yellowness of the cream. If you have warm colours already, stick to warm colours. If cool colours, stay with cool colours.
3) Climate; If you live in the Northern Territories, then a dark roof is simply a dumb idea! But if you’re in Tasmania, then a dark roof could be a great idea. Same goes for the wall colours.
4) Location; As I write this, I’m working on a façade design in Toowoomba where there is red dirt everywhere. My client likes the idea of a light coloured house, but this is just too impractical. My solution? A light coloured house with a slightly darker coloured stone cladding along the base. This makes it practical and also helps us achieve the modern farmhouse aesthetic my client is also keen on. Win-win!
There are literally thousands of colour options out there. To make sure you’re using the right one for your home; talk to a colour consultant or grab some test pots and paint at least a 2×2 metre area before spending mega-bucks on the wrong colour.
Jane Eyles-Bennett x
P.S If you want my help to transform the front of your home, send me an enquiry here and I’ll see if I can help.