Paint Color Combinations to Enhance Your Home's Exterior

When it comes to a remodeling project, one of the first concerns homeowners have is paint color. With a plethora of color options and everchanging color trends, picking the right color to accentuate your home's exterior can be quite a daunting task. Because picking the right paint colors can be the difference between good and great, we're taking a deep dive into the color trends of today.

To get a professional's perspective, we spoke with Sarah Caperton, LP® SmartSide® product manager. She's an expert in color combinations and knows what pairings that are most popular amongst homeowners.

"There are several color combinations that work with nearly every architectural style-from craftsman to colonial. White is one of the more popular siding options, paired with matte black trim. It looks spectacular on everything from farm houses to ranches."

Beyond the popular white siding and black trim combination, Caperton says it's wise to stick to the basics. "Another popular color combination that looks wonderful on nearly every style of home is a nice dark navy siding with a more subtle trim tone. There are a number of trim colors that complement navy, including Snowscape White, Quarry Gray and Sand Dunes."

In terms of mixing LP® SmartSide® trim with other types of building materials like brick, stucco and stone, Caperton says, “Sand dune is the most universal trim color. Its neutral tone extenuates a variety of building materials.”

Though these are the most general trends, color considerations should also speak to you (and your home's) personality. First think about the “temperature” of colors you're drawn to. For instance, warm tones evoke a comfy, welcoming feel and cool palettes are generally relaxing and calming. Next, think about your home's architecture and seek color combinations that match its style. Here's a list of specific LP® SmartSide® paint color combinations that may help spark ideas:

• Cape Cod – Warm Palette: Choose Redwood Red and Tundra Gray. For a neutral palette, look at Desert Stone and Prairie Clay.

• Colonial – Light Palette: Quarry Gray and Sand Dunes. For a warmer feel, try Canyon Brown with Sand Dunes.

• Craftsman – Warm Palette: Choose Redwood Red and Tundra Gray. For a cooler palette, choose Marshland Moss and Summit Blue or Rapids Blue with Quarry Gray.

• Ranch – Neutral Palette: Snowscape White and Desert Stone. For a cool palette, consider Summit Blue with Timberland Suede or Marshland Moss with Timberland Suede.

• Tudor – Natural Palette: Terra Brown and Desert Stone. For a cooler palette, choose Quarry Gray and Marshland Moss.

For more inspiration on colors that bring out the beauty of your home, be sure to visit the LP Inspiration Gallery and LP Home Visualizer.