Regardless of the tint one chooses to paint their home, it is likely to remain the same tone for several years. The following tips for choosing a good exterior house color can help homeowners to select a color that they will be happy with for many years.

Avoid common mistakes when choosing good exterior house paint

• Many homeowners assume that selecting an imaginative or colorful scheme is more expensive for both labor and materials. Without the homeowner chooses numerous paints, this is rarely true.
• Homeowners should avoid accenting elements of the home that are unattractive, such as unevenly placed windows, air conditioning units, protruding garage doors, gutters and downspouts.
• Homeowners should take into consideration the shade of the neighbor's homes. Selections should blend or stand out in a way that is unobtrusive and subtle.
• Consider the landscaping, such as the fall foliage on tress and flowering shrubs. If the lot is heavily wooded, avoid greens that tend to camouflage the home.

Do not miss the opportunities color can offer.

• Use tones for a good first impression. The right selection enhances curve appeal and can make the home more valuable. Creative use of paint is an excellent way to allow the house to shine.
• Use accent or contrasting color to bring out architectural details.
• Unless there is structural work needed, painting is a cost effective way to change a home's appearance.
• Paint can define the entrance to the lodging and welcome guests.
• Use of color around windows can give the building character.

Follow the rules of thumb for color placement

• White or light neutral shades make large homes on small lots seem even larger and the home even smaller. Darker colors can make the home look smaller.

• Choose two colors that are on the same color strip. Use one for the body of the home and the second for the trim. A third contrasting color is usually a good choice for the front door. Porches should be lighter colors as this makes the home seem more welcoming.

• If the structure is disproportionately tall, the upper porting can be painted a darker tone and the bottom a lighter color to scale down the height. If the landscaping is still young, use this trick to improve the looks as well.

• Paint windowsills white to reflect the light and heat of the sun. Light paints will pop out while darker paintings will hide. If the home is some distance from the street, a lighter tone makes it appear closer to the street.

• Only use accent colors to accentuate the home's positive aspects.

Use of light colors and white

• While light colors and white have been used for many years as a safe color choice, consumers are becoming more confident using colors. Many tented neutrals are very popular today. These colors can pick up colors from landscaping and roofing that are more difficult to change.

When it is time to paint a house, keep these tips in mind when choosing an exterior house colors to ensure that the selection will make the home occupants as happy five to ten years down the road as it does today.

Article originally published at Source by Matt Given