Designing the perfect exterior color scheme is easy when you start with a plan. Senior Design Consultant Karen Ryan shows you how to bring it together in an eye-catching way.
Do: Have a plan.
Don’t: Overthink it.
The exterior of your home is important because it showcases your style before anyone steps through the front door. Developing the overall scheme can seem like a frightening task, but if you take a step back and start with a plan, you’ll come out with a well-deserved feeling of pride. To get ideas and see combinations that might appeal to you, drive though nearby communities that share the same style (Traditional, Farmhouse, Coastal, Victorian, etc.). Comparing alternatives on a large scale can help you narrow your choices and then visualize how it will all come together.
Do: Look at the surrounding homes.
Don’t: Select an exterior look that is too similar to your neighbors’ homes.
Whether you are building a new home or freshening up your current one, you always want to consider what is around you. When homes in a surrounding area are too similar, they can blend together and water down the overall curb appeal of each facade. Even though it is perfectly fine to choose a base color that is similar to your neighbor’s house, be sure to vary the hues on shutters, doors, and other details to help distinguish your home.
PRO TIP: Easily add curb appeal and personality with a fun pop of color on your front door. These are some of my front door color favorites this season.
Do: Try to limit the overall scheme to three colors.
Don’t: Be afraid to use color.
While it’s important to stay with three colors, be confident in using the ones you choose. When formulating your color palette, select the primary color first and then coordinate your accents. During this process, be sure to consider all of the materials on your home’s exterior. For example, do you have board and batten siding, shake shingles, paneled shutters, a metal roof, and brick or stone features? Identifying the style, type, and location of each exterior element will make it easier to add your accent colors to the palette. Looking at the three homes below, you can see that each one follows the three-color guideline in a unique way to create an eye-catching curb appeal.
PRO TIP: Have fun! No matter which color palette you decide is best for your home, remember that you can always use light fixtures, wreaths (I have one for every season and holiday), and landscaping to elevate your curb appeal.
With a deep-rooted connection to building industry and design instilled by her family, Karen Ryan has thrived as a Senior Design Consultant at Schell Brothers since 2011. During her tenure, Karen had the privilege to help design dream homes for over 1,500 homeowners.
Beyond the design studio, Karen treasures family time with husband Frank and sons Anthony and Nicholas.
