Painting your home is a big project, and you want to get it done right the first time. When choosing the color palette for repainting your home, it’s common to try and complement your landscaping choices, as well. Your home’s exterior is an important first impression to everyone that comes to – or even drives by – your home, so it only makes sense that you’d want it to send a smooth message about your overall aesthetic.
As you’re trying to achieve this visual harmony between your landscaping choices and your home’s exterior, it’s important to make sure no stone is left unturned. Working with the right Denver painting company can give insight into potential color choices, or deliver an array of options if you already have the color scheme sorted out. Getting the right tones can complement your home and even enhance the curb appeal.
Observe Your Surroundings
The first step in coordinating your exterior paint color with your surroundings is to simply take a look around. By considering all of the colors of your surroundings, you’ll get an idea of which colors might be the best for integrating your home into the natural environment. You’ll want it to look like your home belongs in those surroundings, creating a sense of harmony and cohesion. It will make the overall view of your home more pleasing to the eye, since things like trees, flowers, shrubs and rocks will enhance the visual impact instead of detracting from it.
You should also consider how different seasons will change the overall look of your landscape. From variations in foliage colors and flowering plants to changes in lighting conditions, you’ll be able to pinpoint paint colors that look appealing in all seasons and complement the changing landscape throughout the year. This observation will also give insight into the bigger overall picture. Your home is part of a larger visual composition that includes not only the landscape, but also the neighboring properties and overall look of your street. Taking all of these surroundings into account will help make an even more informed decision on paint color.
Consider Your Home’s Architecture
Different homes have different architectural styles, which can lend themselves to certain color palettes. For example, classic colors like white or soft pastels might be more suitable for a more traditional colonial home, where bold and contrasting colors work better for modern homes. When coordinating traditional homes with landscaping, it’s important to consider colors that will enhance the timeless elegance of this kind of architecture. Soft, neutral colors will provide a great backdrop that allows the landscaping to standout.
Modern architecture will usually embrace bolder, contrasting colors, so these types of homes can use striking colors to create a dynamic, visual effect. You can also choose monochromatic color schemes that blend seamlessly with the surroundings, allowing architectural features and landscaping to command attention. Ranch and farmhouse style homes are usually characterized by simplicity, and colors like whites, beiges, or muted earth tones can evoke a sense of rustic charm and blend well with natural landscapes. These are just a few types of architecture, and your professional painting company will be able to offer insight to other styles, as well.
Understand Your Environment
Where your house is located can also impact your choices for exterior paint. Colorado is filled with a lot of sunny days, and lighter colors can help reflect some of the heat that comes with all of that sunshine. In cooler climates, darker colors can absorb warmth. Colorado also has a lot of gorgeous wooded areas, and those homeowners may want to choose colors that complement the natural tones of the trees and foliage. All of these different areas may have different needs, as the climate can impact more than just aesthetics.
Exterior paint colors that complement the climate can enhance the energy efficiency of your home, and allow for better temperature regulation. This doesn’t mean you have to step back from enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of your home, but it can help you develop a color palette that not only integrates with natural features, but also helps keep you home more comfortable. This creates a harmonious and functional living environment that also has the visual appeal you’re striving for with your home’s exterior.
Take Samples & Test Colors
To get a good look at how some colors will look on your home in relation to your landscaping, gather some samples or swatches from your local paint store. Hold them up against your home’s exterior in different lighting conditions to see how they look and interact with your landscaping. This will help you better visualize what colors are compatible with your overall vision, and make sure they don’t clash with your surroundings. These samples will also help you avoid a costly mistake of choosing the wrong color or a color that doesn’t fit in with the overall harmony of your environment.
Once you’ve got some idea as to what color you want, purchase some small samples and apply them to inconspicuous areas of your home’s exterior. Be sure to observe how the colors look throughout the day as the light changes, and pay attention to how those colors complement or clash with the surrounding landscape. This testing will give you visual confirmation as to how those colors look in a larger swatch than was provided by the samples. Knowing how they interact will help you narrow down the color choices even further.
Don’t Forget Accent Colors
Consider incorporating accent colors to highlight architectural features or add other details of visual interest. These accents can really be the perfect companion to the main color of the exterior while adding more depth and character to your home’s overall look. While commonly used to highlight specific architectural elements – like columns or window frames – accent colors can also be used to create balance. If these accents match the natural tones of things in your landscape like trees, plants, or rocks, you can get an integrated look that both highlights those features and blends seamlessly with the environment.
Accents are also a great way to personalize the look of your home and express your individual style. Whether you prefer bold and vibrant hues that make a statement, or simply want the refined look from more understated tones, these accents will enable you to customize the overall look to reflect your tastes. Well-chosen accents can also significantly enhance the curb appeal of your home, making it more attractive to passersby – and potential homebuyers.
Seek Professional Advice
If you’re unsure about what color choices would be best, or need further guidance on things like accents or how colors work with your landscape, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many painting companies can give color consultations, and their experience will be valuable during the process of exterior color selection. They should be able to take a look at your landscape and the architectural style of your home to offer specific advice tailored to your specific needs.
Professional painters possess in-depth knowledge of color theory and should be able to give insight into things like lighting conditions and neighborhood aesthetic to make sure your color choices will work in concert with all of your surroundings. They also have access to a wide range of resources to help you visualize what the final product will look like. They also are up to speed on the current design trends and styles, which can also come in handy when finalizing your decision.
Think About Future Maintenance
Another concern that should be considered is the durability and longevity of the paint colors you choose. Opting for high-quality exterior paints that are resistant to fading, peeling, and weather damage is important to ensuring your home maintaining its look for years to come. Colorado’s climate is notorious for its unpredictability, so getting high-quality exterior paint is a must. It likely won’t be the least expensive option. However, the quality and durability of those paints will be more cost effective in the long run since you won’t have to repaint as often, or apply as many coats.
When working to coordinate your exterior paint color with your landscaping, it’s important to maintain the area around the exterior, as well. Regularly prune and trim your trees, shrubs, or other elements near your home. This will prevent them from coming into contact with the exterior – which can damage the paint job. If some wear and tear comes from this contact – or from adverse weather conditions –consider doing seasonal touch-ups to address it.
Coordinating your landscape with your exterior paint color is a great way to make an impression and deliver a clean and coordinated aesthetic in your neighborhood. There are a number of things to consider, but the end product can look very sharp if done the right way. For more information on how to complement your landscape by painting the exterior of your home, reach out to the experts at Colorado Painting today.
