The Complete Guide to House and Shutter Color Pairings
Choosing the right exterior house and shutter colors can transform the entire look and feel of your home. The colors you select should work cohesively to create an attractive color scheme that enhances your house style and exterior features. With so many potential color combinations, the process can feel overwhelming. This complete guide covers everything you need to know for picking winning house and shutter color pairings.
Why Choosing Complementary Colors Matters
Most people want their home's exterior to look appealing. While factors like landscaping and architectural details contribute to aesthetics, color plays an especially pivotal role. Without a cohesive color scheme, a house can appear mismatched or bland. Coordinating house and shutter colors creates visual harmony. Complementary colors also highlight a home's best features instead of competing with them. Ultimately, color selections offer a simple way to boost curb appeal and showcase personality.
Key Factors When Selecting Exterior Color Combinations
Keep the following guidelines in mind when putting together exterior color schemes:
- Choose colors that play to your home's style - a Craftsman bungalow suits deeper hues than a white-washed beach cottage
- Consider surrounding landscape and hardscape colors - tailor your palette to flatter, not fight, what already exists
- Account for architectural details you wish to accentuate - contrasting shutter and trim colors nicely frame windows
Overview of Popular House and Shutter Color Schemes
Some tried-and-true exterior color combinations include:
- White or light gray house body with black shutters and charcoal gray roof
- Tan or light brown house with dark green shutters and red front door
- Navy blue house paired with crisp white trim and white railings
Matching Your Home's Style and Surroundings
When selecting exterior paint colors, you want shades that complement your house itself as well as its environment...
Color Considerations for Different Architectural Styles
The hues you choose should align with your home's architectural style for a cohesive look. Here are some examples...
Exploring Surrounding Environment and Landscape
Take note of existing colors in yard features, vegetation and hardscapes so your house doesn't end up clashing...
Tips for Colors Based on Region and Climate
Certain color palettes suit specific regions and climates better than others...
Creating Color Harmonies
Beyond just choosing colors you like, pay attention to color relationships and interaction between tones...
Balancing Warm and Cool Undertones
Mixing warm and cool shades creates depth and visual interest. For example...
Mixing and Matching Tones, Tints, and Shades
Vary tones, tints and shades of colors for subtle variation. Consider the following ideas...
Using Accents for Pops of Contrasting Color
Strategically incorporate contrasting colors as accents against neutral backdrops for an eye-catching statement...
House Color and Shutter Color Relationships
Specifically focus on how your shutter color complements the main house color through various color schemes...
Contrasting Light and Dark Colors
Playing opposites with light and dark colors creates striking visual impact...
Complementary Color Combinations
Pair colors from opposite sides of the color wheel for vibrant contrast...
Analogous Color Harmonies
Use hues adjacent on the color wheel for subtle, elegant combinations like...
Monochromatic Color Flow
Monochromatic palettes using different tints, tones and shades of one color provide a clean, elegant look...
Enhancing Specific Exterior Features
Beyond house and shutter combinations, use color to accentuate other exterior elements...
Siding, Trim, Window, Door Color Considerations
Tie together siding, trim, windows and doors into a complete color story...
Highlighting Architectural Details
Draw attention to special architectural elements with contrasting or matching colors...
Tying Together Disparate Exterior Features
Find colors that create unity among exterior components that might otherwise feel disconnected...
House Color Psychology and Impressions
Color choice also impacts the vibe and emotions your home conveys...
What Different Color Palettes Communicate
Learn how your exterior color scheme influences impressions and perceptions...
Suiting Personal Style and Preferences
Incorporate signature colors that reflect your personality and design aesthetic...
Eliciting Specific Responses
Choose palettes designed to evoke particular reactions from those viewing your home...
Developing Your Custom Exterior Color Scheme
Ultimately, the process involves experimentation using visualization tools and real-life paint tests...
Experimenting With Paint Color Visualizers
Take advantage of AR visualizers from retailers to mix and match color combos...
Trying Test Paint Patches
Paint swatches directly on home exterior surfaces reveal actual, accurate colors...
Viewing Example Schemes on Inspiration Sites
Browse color combination ideas on design sites and blogs tailored to your home style...
Choosing exterior paint colors that work in harmony is all about balancing house style, architecture, surroundings and personal taste. While the process involves some trial and error, the end result of the perfect custom color scheme makes the effort worthwhile. Use this guide as a starting point as you explore palette possibilities for your own home.
Remember - well-coordinated house and shutter colors can make a tremendous impact on curb appeal and exterior aesthetics. Take your time playing with colors and have fun making a statement!