First Home! Need help with Exterior Color and Architecture.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We just purchased our first home! The interior is great, mostly updated and just needing our finishing touches. The exterior on the other hand... needs some love. I’m thinking of changing the exterior colors. The garage door is a must. Possibly stain the brick? Change color of the siding? We will be replacing the current wood boards on the upper level with siding. Roof is only 5 years old so I’m having a hard time picking exterior colors that will go well the color of the shingles (brighter photo is a more accurate representation of shingle color). I would also LOVE to move the front door out of that “cubby hole” to face the street. Any architecture ideas for that would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

mjlb

7 years ago

Since no one has photoshopped colors for you, you might try it yourself. I think both Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore on their websites allow you to upload your photo and change paint colors.

Usually when selecting exterior colors, you consider the roof, the siding, trim, and door color. In your case, the door is hidden, so you may want to add an accent color in an alternative fashion. I'm not sure what that might be, but perhaps a plant or oversize house numbers.

You mentioned changing the siding. What will the new siding be - horizontal clapboard, or board and batten? It looks like the windows may be white vinyl, so I am guessing that the window trim should remain white.

It looks (from google image search) that your neighborhood has many houses with color schemes similar to your current peachy sand color. If you want to blend in, I would select a neutral taupe color - i.e. trending toward gray, not peach. However, it might be more interesting to paint a deeper color - whatever appeals to you. I'd consider painting or liming or whitewashing the brick if its color does not coordinate.

You might post in the landscape design forum too, as landscaping can really enhance the exterior of your home. Congratulations on your first home purchase!

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Comments (7)

erinspiration7
Original Author
7 years ago
Bump. Anyone?
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PRO
Legacy Pre-Finishing, Inc.
7 years ago
I agree with mjlb - use the color tool from Sherwin Williams and play around with the colors a bit. If you're not going to do anything with the brick, make sure that the siding color will compliment the color tones and the color of the roof. Too many colors on the house will make it look really busy. A designer from Sherwin Williams or Ben Moore maybe able to steer you in the right direction as well.
User
7 years ago
I like the "cubby hole." Without it, you'd be exposed to the elements while entering. Moving the door to the front, if you plan to use it frequently, would require an overhang or porch, which would be difficult to integrate into the architecture.

Replacing the siding on the second floor won't affect the look of the house much, if at all. If it's worn out, replace it. If it's in good shape, paint it.

You mention the garage door as a priority for painting. Don't paint it a contrasting color, let it blend in. Don't make it stand out like a billboard advertisement.

Paint colors? I'd go with slightly darker, warmer tones.

My pet peeve is foundation plantings. I'd remove the shrubs next to the house and put in a few trees out by the sidewalk.
erinspiration7
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions! I’m going to hire a color consultant and go from there. We’ll be tackling the exterior colors and the landscaping in the Spring.
Denita
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Looks like the front door is a bit barricaded by bushes right now.

Open up the landscaping so you can see the entry. Adding a walkway so the entrance is more visible will help greatly.

Paint the door an accent color rather than the dark color. The dark color visually diminishes the front door. It is more effective IMO to have the garage door darker so it recedes or blends and the front door a brighter color so it 'pops' a bit. To illustrate the point see the pic below - even though this style home isn't your home's style, the door garage door and lighter/brighter front door with a walkway showcase the point IMO.

Gibson Drive · More Info
Denita
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
In the insp pic below the landscaping is pulled back from the front entry and the walkway is a lighter, brighter color to draw your eye to the front entry. It is adjacent to the driveway but clearly pulls the attention to the front entry simply using a color change and change of materials in the walkway. This front door is even a little bit dark, but the plants and walkway give enough focus to make it work.
Front entrance - Thornhill · More Info