Posted on: April 17, 2008
Outward Opportunity
Sometimes it’s true: what’s on the outside counts. Boost your home’s worth by stirring up the color scheme with these simple suggestions
By Michelle Taute
CTW Features
Image courtesy iStockphoto
Architectural color consultant James Martin believes passionately that a pleasing exterior color scheme is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to add value to a home.
“Homeowners often overlook the simple and effective changes that a color scheme can create and instead spend tens of thousands of dollars on renovations,” says Martin, whose Denver firm works with homeowners across the country.
He sums up his advice and that of other experts with the following tips for selecting colors for a home’s exterior:
-Remember: If you have any plans of selling your home in the near future, buyers don’t want homes with trendy colors – they want colors that will enrich their living experience.
-Choose a main exterior color that blends with the house’s elements that can't be changed. For example, if the roof is brown and the brick is red-brown, the best color for the home's middle will tend toward yellow, red or brown. Failing to do that could make your house look like a fancy dessert with stripes of color that fail to unify its appearance.
-Blend the trim with those colors that surround it. For example, if you have a brown roof and red brick, you should consider a trim that resembles cream rather than stark white.
-Use a low-sheen, semi-gloss or satin finish paint for the body of your house. They tend to make colors look richer and add character to a home no matter how modest it is. A flat finish, by contrast, can look dull and lifeless, and its grain can collect dirt. Glossier finishes repel dirt.
-Add personality to your home by painting the door and trimming a “punch” color with high-gloss paint. The front door is the place to play with the color of the season. The sheen adds a depth to the color, which brings it to life. It’s also easier to clean than flatter paints.
-Test the colors you’ve chosen by painting an area and letting it sit for a few days. That way you can see how it looks under all kinds of light conditions – in bright sunlight, on a cloudy day and at both morning and evening.