Dark Blue Shutters, Meet My Tan House

Like many homeowners, we purchased a beautiful tan house last year. However, over time we felt it was missing a certain visual appeal. Driving around town, we noticed how blue shutters on neutral-toned houses added striking pops of color. We decided navy blue window shutters could give our home the revitalizing facelift it needed!

We'll share the benefits we're enjoying, from enhanced curb appeal to added weather protection. You'll also discover factors to weigh when shopping for exterior shutters. Let's dive in!

Why I Chose Navy Blue Shutters for My Tan House

Our traditional two-story tan house with white trimming was handsome yet innocuous. We adored small architectural flourishes, like the decorative woodwork framing every window. But the overall effect blended into the neighborhood a bit too much for our liking.

Driving past a tiny Cape Cod-style cottage, we were wowed by its vibrant royal blue window shutters against pale yellow siding. The eye-catching combo looked modern yet classic. Instantly smitten, we questioned if our tan home could also handle such a bold shade without appearing gaudy. After researching, we realized rich navy blue could offer that spectacular pop of color while still feeling timeless. We were sold!

Draws Attention to Architectural Details

Our house's layout spotlights beautiful large windows across both floors. Yet their wood detailing and glass often went unnoticed. Navy blue shutters create a striking contrast, immediately drawing the eye to these features. Now the windows themselves feel like intentional design statements. The dark color also emphasizes other beloved exterior elements, like the brick chimney and entryway archway.

Makes Our House Stand Out

While we once appreciated fitting cohesively into our neighborhood's aesthetic, we now want our home to stand apart. Surrounded by other tan and white houses, including a nearly identical floor plan next door, we feared ours was becoming forgettable. Vibrant navy blue shutters juxtapose elegantly against the neutral background. Their rich hue feels elevated and modern compared to the warm, earthy tan palette. Our home captivates attention as visitors approach, making it instantly recognizable.

The Benefits of Blue Shutters on Tan Houses

Enhances Curb Appeal

We adore our home's interior but realized its exterior wasn't aligning with current design trends or our personal style. The light tan siding and white trim seemed washed out and outdated. Navy window shutters inject a burst of saturated color into the neutral mix. Against tans inspired by natural elements like sand, wood, and clay, the electric blue pops brightly. Now when we pull into our driveway, our house seems warmly welcoming and cheerful.

Vibrant blue also accentuates other existing exterior features. Our classic black front door looks richly polished beside its dynamic new neighbor shutters. And vivid white trimming seems crisper bordered by the midnight shades. The complementary color scheme feels purposeful and elegant. Tying varied elements together harmoniously has elevated curb appeal substantially.

Creates Illusion of Added Space

While stunning, our two-story 1930s traditional layout did initially seem boxier and smaller than some neighboring properties. We'd focused interior decorating efforts on opening up floor plans through strategically placed mirrors. Why not try this optical illusion trick on our home's exterior too?

Darker-toned navy blue recedes visually, making exterior dimensions appear expanded. This effect draws attention vertically up and across architectural elements. The eye now effortlessly flows from bold shutters to tall second-story windows. Negative spaces between features seem stretched. Surfaces bathed in shadows also hide actual size. Our formerly squat, boxy facade now reads as sleekly elongated. It was a subtle change reaping dramatic visual impacts!

Provides UV Ray Protection

Initially, we hadn't considered functional benefits choosing exterior shutter shades. Beyond aesthetics, rich blues reflect more sunlight, blocking damage-causing ultraviolet rays. Over years of exposure, factors like extreme heat and moisture deteriorate exterior building materials. We'd noticed neighbors frequently repainting or replacing weathered window trimmings and sills prematurely.

Now, our navy shutters shield underlying wood and weatherproof coatings from harshest sunlight all day. They'll help surfaces avoid splintering, sun rot, discoloration and paint cracking/chipping longer term. That means less exterior maintenance for us. We're also wasting less energy cooling interiors too, avoiding direct glare heating through windows. Our once "decorative" shutters serve vital protective purposes!

Factors To Consider When Selecting Blue Shutters

While infatuated with the drama navy blue shutters brought our tan house initially, we still carefully weighed several variables first. Home features impact how bright or neutral shades interact. Personal preferences steer aesthetics too. Consider the following before taking an exterior color risk!

House Size and Architecture Style

Our two-story traditional home's generous square footage can support bolder shutter shades without overwhelming. Single-story cottages or diminutive Cape Cods shouldn't overextend darker hues where shadows may shrink already limited dimensions even more. Additionally, certain architectural styles inherently draw focus to doors and windows as intentional design statements. Craftsman bungalows highlight horizontal lines while Victorians spotlight ornate detailing. Play up these features with contrasting blue shutters!

Surrounding Environment

Farms often opt for quintessential red barns and white fencing with good reason. These shades provide maximum contrast against lush green fields, looking iconic. Similarly, forested lakefront properties should consider cooler-toned greenish blues to harmonize with natural landscapes. Our tightly spaced neighborhood lacks much variability beyond other houses. But we still contemplated how vibrant navy played against tanned siding nearby. Complement, don't compete, with mother nature!

Personal Style and Taste

Above all, exterior paint decisions come down to personal preferences. Are you traditionalists seeking timeless and tasteful combinations? Or bold risk-takers unafraid of attention-grabbing palettes? For resale value, mainstream neutral brown shutters offer safe future-proofing. We personally adore contemporary color blocking trends. Vibrant blues in myriad shades suit our young family's lively personalities too. We confidently balanced tasteful restraint with vibrant joy!

The Best Blue Shades for Tan Houses

Looking to add blue shutters to your tan house as well? Here are a few stunning shades we considered before deciding on classic navy!

Soothing Light Blue

• Robin Egg Blue: This pale pastel teal shade evokes serene spa aesthetics. Its grayish undertone flatters tans inspired by stones or concrete.
• Baby Blue: For traditional homemakers desiring an optimistic color palette, this gentle robin's egg alternative links timeless femininity with playful youthfulness.
• Sky Blue: Earthy beiges find beautiful balance beside these light shades reminiscent of peaceful, cloudless horizons overhead. The mutual warmth shared between tones makes both seem richer.

Classic Mid-range Blues

Patriotic Navy: Saluting red brick houses nearby, this regal midnight blue with hints of purple sophistication effortlessly channels East Coast heritage for historians.

Denim Blue: Reminiscent of favorite broken-in jeans, these relaxed Workwear-inspired hues blend gracefully into every environment. Their flexibility ensures comfortable confidence on any home exterior.

Cadet Blue: Crisp yet soothingly peaceful simultaneously, these lighter tones add modern lavender coolness beside yellowish beiges inspired by vanilla sands or wheat fields bathed in late afternoon golden glows.

Royal Navy Blue: For seaside properties, connect aquatic blues harkening mighty frigates patrolling Atlantic waves with fortress-like Victorian architecture standing sentinel beside neighborhoods.

Midnight Blue: Mysterious, substantial black-tinted window frames contrast commandingly against fair beige or sand exteriors, creating an elegant facade masking interior secrets.

Ultramarine Blue: Pigments traditionally crafted from precious lapis lazuli gemstones, these jewel-toned shutters link antiquity with modern minimalism through vibrant intensity. Radiating beside pale earth tones, this hue channels avant-garde runways.

Which brilliant blue hue would you paint on your tan house? Hopefully the stunning options shared here illustrated how this unexpected color combo delights aesthetically while serving very functional purposes too. As our journey choosing navy blue shutters for our home demonstrated, small updates reap dramatically transformative and positive results. Just take the color risk confidently - you may love the effects!