If you happen to live in an area where there are no specific rules or restrictions when it comes to painting your home’s exterior, lucky you! Freedom of choice is nothing but a fantastic thing, though can at the same time make it tricky to know where to start.

Ask any Arlington VA painting company and they’ll tell you the same – choosing the color to paint your home’s exterior really is a huge decision. Of course, the single most important thing is that it makes you happy…everything else takes a backseat. But at the same team, the paint you choose must not only protect your home adequately, but also appeal to those you may be looking to sell the place to in the future.

And of course, you might want to bear in mind what the neighbors might think! The truth is, the color you choose for the exterior of your home can have an impact on the entire street. This doesn’t mean you have to go dull and boring with it all, but rather remain mindful and thoughtful when making your final selection. A reputable painting company can certainly give you some pointers, but ultimately it all comes down to you. It is, after all, your home!

So as far as the experts are concerned, how can the average homeowner make the process of choosing an exterior paint color that little bit easier?

Think About What You Won’t Be Changing

Well, first of all it’s worth bearing in mind that you are looking to create a single cohesive look and feel around the home itself and its exterior living spaces. There will, inevitably, be plenty of elements around the home that you will not be changing, when going about the process of painting your home. Your driveways, pathways, patios, stonework, tiles, shingles and so on – chances are that all of these will be remaining exactly the same. As such, a good place to start is by considering the colors and shades of these elements, in order to narrow down your options to those that will work well with them. This is crucial for creating a sense of harmony around the home.

Consider the Property’s Era and Style

Whether you’re living in a classic bungalow, a country cottage or an ultra-modern ranch, there will be certain colors and palettes that are traditionally associated with the type and era of property you live in. Of course, it’s not to say you can’t go your own way with something a little radical, but it can make your life so much easier if you focus on the historically accurate color selections offered by leading paint brands. Once again, professional advice from a leading Arlington VA painting company can help point you in the right direction and open your eyes to the options available to you.

Consider Your Intended Effect

Ask yourself – do you want your home to stand out boldly, or blend seamlessly into the natural assets around it. Choosing a darker color for the exterior of a home will usually result in it receding somewhat, becoming a part of its surroundings and remaining rather discreet. By contrast, bold colors can ensure that the property stands out from the crowd and doesn’t escape the eye. There’s no right or wrong option to choose – it all comes down to your preference and priorities.

Think in Three Dimensions

Painting a home’s exterior generally consists of three elements or dimensions, which call for three different colors or shades. First of all, there’s the color that dominates the home and covers most of the larger surfaces, known as the field color. Next, there’s the color you use for smaller areas like shutters, doors and so on, known as the accent color. Last up comes the trim color, which is used for much smaller accents like railings, edgings, frames, casings and so on. More often than not, the very best finish can be achieved by ensuring that the color chosen for the trim contrasts sharply with the field color. There’s plenty of room for experimentation and you do not necessarily have to limit yourself to three colors – choose as many as you’re comfortable with. Most leading paint brands will offer their own color palettes that go perfectly with one another, in order to make things that little bit easier for you.

Use Technology

Invest in a decent mobile app or use your own Photoshop skills to gain a much better impression of how your home will look when the paint has been applied. Paint chips are all well and good, as too is a tiny pot of paint to try out on a small area of your home. But until you see the finished article in full, you can’t be sure what to expect. It’s simply a case of taking a shot of your home’s exterior, before getting busy with the experimentation. Try out as many different colors and color combinations as you like, before taking the final picture you’re happy with to your local paint supplier. Or better yet, a leading Arlington VA painting company to get the job done for you!

Ask the Experts

Last but not least, it’s a point we’ve driven home a few times here already, it’s critical not to overlook the importance of expert input. If you’re struggling for inspiration or worries about clashing colors of any kind, ask the experts before going ahead and avoid what could prove to be a killer headache later on!