How To Choose The Right Exterior Color For Your Home (What To Consider)

Do you ever walk outside your home, look at your exterior, and feel a sense of discontent? If so, this could be a sign it’s time to upgrade your exterior with a new coat of paint. 

Painting your home’s exterior is one of the best ways to elevate your home, boost curb appeal, and scratch that itch for change that’s been bothering you. 

But, with virtually endless options available, how do you pick the right color for your home? 

Lucky for you, we’re here to help. 

Southwest Exteriors has been a trusted exterior remodeling company in San Antonio since 1989. We offer premium exterior painting services using the highest quality products and installation practices to ensure a long-lasting outcome. 

We also offer a complimentary color consultation with a color specialist to help you choose the best colors that fit your home perfectly. 

However, whether you work with us or not, we want you to have the right tools for a successful project. 

Because choosing a color can be overwhelming and difficult, this article will provide seven things to consider to help you choose the right colors for your home’s exterior. 

7 Things To Consider To Choose The Best Exterior Paint Color For Your Home 

Before starting any remodeling project, outlining your wants, goals, and needs is the first step. This helps you envision the outcome and consider what you need to get there, including the right products and services. 

When choosing a new color for your home’s exterior, knowing what to consider, like the exterior's undertones, the home's aesthetic, and HOA guidelines, will help you narrow your options and make the right choice. 

Let’s look at seven things to consider when choosing an exterior paint color for your home to ensure you choose the right color to fit your home. 

1. What is your current exterior paint color?

When choosing a new exterior color, the first thing to consider is looking at your current color and analyzing your thoughts on it. 

What do you like about the color? What don’t you like about the color? Do you want a color similar to it or completely different? 

Just like when choosing to get rid of an old shirt in your closet, you weigh the pros and cons and think about why you want to get rid of it. 

Looking at your current paint color and outlining what you like and don’t like about it will help get the gears turning on why you want to change your home’s exterior and envision what you want it to look like in the future. 

2. What is the landscaping and decor like around your home’s exterior?

Considering your landscaping, outdoor decor, and other permanent structures around your home, like the mailbox and roofing, is essential. You want to look at what shades and tones are around your home to ensure the new color you choose will match seamlessly.

The last thing you want is to choose a new paint color that does not match the rest of your home. 

For example, if you have a lot of bright landscaping with colorful flowers and foliage, you may want to choose a lighter paint color to accentuate the landscaping and bring it all together. A darker black, gray, or blue may throw off the overall aesthetic of your home. 

If you have adobe-colored tile roofing, you may want a color with warmer tones as opposed to cool tones. 

Looking at existing elements of your home’s exterior will bring clarity to the tones and shades that will match your home and help you find a new color that will elevate your home, not lower its aesthetics.

3. What is the architectural style of your home?  

Before shopping around for the right color for your home, take a step back and look at its architectural style. This can also help you determine what color will best suit your home.

Traditional-style homes can be more flexible to a variety of colors, from vibrant blues to muted beige. Bright blues, yellows, and pastels fit coastal-style homes but may not fit a colonial-style home.

Considering the architecture of your home can help you research specific colors that complement the style of your home.

4. Do you want a similar color or a drastic change? 

Once you’ve considered the style of your home and exterior elements, now you want to think about your vision for your home. 

You’ve thought about what you like and don’t like about the current color of your home. This sparks the next question: Do you want to choose a similar color or a drastic change? 

If all rules and regulations were removed, what color would you want your home to be? 

Without considering your landscaping, permanent features on your home, or societal standards, think about what color you really want to paint your home. 

If you find yourself gravitating towards a bright and vibrant color but don’t want to bring down the sophistication of your home, perhaps choosing a muted yet colorful hue will suit you. 

Or, if you like the current color of your home but just want a slight change, then you know to look at colors similar to what you already have. This will make the decision process much easier. 

Considering your wants for the future look of your home (without feeling the pressure of abiding by any rules) will help you determine what color you truly want on your home and help move your project forward. 

5. What is the climate like in your area? 

After looking at the outside of your home and the aesthetics, let’s consider a more technical element: the weather. The climate in which you live can heavily influence the color you choose for your exterior. 

If you live in an area where clouds and rain are more common than sunshine, then maybe you want to choose a bright color to lighten up your home and bring vibrancy to the exterior. Or maybe you want a darker hue to match the climate.

If you live in an area with intense sunlight, like San Antonio, choosing dark colors may not be your best option. Constant sunlight can cause darker colors to fade quickly, which may not be ideal for southern homes. 

Consulting a local professional familiar with exterior color performance in your area will help you choose the right color that will look great on your home and last. 

6. Do you have any Homeowners Association guidelines to follow?

One important thing you must consider when thinking about starting any home remodeling project is your homeowners association (HOA). 

If you live in a residential neighborhood with an HOA, it’s important to check the rules and guidelines for any remodeling restrictions. Regarding exterior painting, most HOAs have rules regarding specific colors that are and are not allowed in the neighborhood. 

While HOAs cannot enforce these rules, they can fine you for not following them. 

So, unless you want to pay the price to go against the rules, following your HOA guidelines is helpful in choosing the right exterior color. 

These colors are typically neutrals and similar to what is already on your home. This means you can still give your exterior the refresh it deserves without stepping too far outside the box. 

7. Do you plan to sell your home anytime soon? 

Before picking a paint color and getting to work, you also want to consider if you plan to sell your home within a few years. Why is this important? 

Think about it. If you were shopping for a new home, would you be more attracted to one with a standard, neutral, and chic color or a bright color that sticks out like a sore thumb? 

If you want to paint your home’s exterior but know you plan to sell in the near future, sticking to neutral colors will help maintain your exterior as well as keep it hot on the market. 

A home with bright colors that aren’t typically seen can be less attractive to a potential buyer who won’t want to have to pay to repaint the exterior once they buy the home. 

This is important to remember if you want to sell your home in a few years. Choosing a popular neutral color that matches your home and the neighborhood will make your home look fabulous and more attractive to shoppers. 

Choosing The Best Exterior Color For Your Home

Now that you know seven important things to consider when choosing a new paint color for your home’s exterior, you have the right knowledge in place to narrow down your options and find the best color to compliment your home. 

Choosing the right color for your exterior all depends on your wants and goals for your home. Do you want to keep the color neutral or vibrant? Do you have any HOA guidelines? Do you plan to sell your home soon? 

Remember to consider these seven things to better help you choose the right color for your home: 

• Your current exterior paint color
• The landscaping and decor outside your home
• Your home’s architectural style
• Whether you want a similar color or a drastic change
• The climate in your area
• HOA guidelines
• If you plan to sell your home soon 

Considering these factors will help you better outline your goals and wants for the exterior of your home and allow you to choose the right color for your exterior. 

At Southwest Exteriors, we offer a complimentary color consultation with an expert colorist to help you choose the best color for your home and elevate your exterior. 

However, we want you to have the right knowledge and tools in place to make the best decisions for your project, whether you work with us or not. 

To better help you find the right color for your home, check out this article that outlines 24 of the hottest Sherwin-Williams exterior paint colors for 2024, from vibrant blues to neutral grays. Then, you can get more inspiration for your home’s new color and take the next steps in finding the right solution for you.