Why Color Placement Matters

Color placement on the exterior of the home is as important as the actual colors themselves. Applying an exterior color palette in different ways can make a big difference in the overall effect. You could choose to paint out the entire exterior – both trim and body – in the same color, and only use an accent color on doors and/or shutters.

Rather than painting the body out in one color, you could instead define certain portions of the body to give the varying elevations further dimension by using contrasting color to make them stand out.

The key here is to be sure to repeat each color a few times on the exterior and to spread the color around so that it doesn't just occur on one portion of the home, which could create a lop-sided visual effect. You'll notice that the copper-colored shake siding is not just on one section of the house. It occurs on both the left and the right side, and is then repeated again on the garage door.

When working with a high contrast color palette, many people default to applying the lighter color to the trim and the darker color to the body. This will give you a fresh, clean look that will fit into most traditional neighborhoods.

Applying the darker color instead to the trim and the lighter to the body gives you a whole different look, even within the same color scheme. Darker trim can give a more masculine effect, which can be pleasing on a contemporary, Tudor-style or Mission-style exterior.

Get Inspired

Let LP@ SmartSide@ Trim & Siding help you find color inspiration for your home's exterior.