Every homeowner wants to feel as though their house is welcoming and comforting. Whether you are building a brand new home, or just renovating your existing house to better fit your style, there are many things that can help create the cozy feeling you want. One of those is the colour of your home, and the colours of the exterior details. Before you just begin picking out colours that look good on a paint chip, it’s important to keep a few basic things in mind.
The 3 Elements
The exterior of a house consists of many parts, from the material on your roof, to the type of doorknob you choose. But there are three main elements that contribute to the overall look that homeowners should keep in mind when choosing colours. These are:
- The type of material that covers the house. This could include vinyl or wood siding, stucco, stone, brick, or others. This element represents the largest part of the exterior of your home, so it’s one of the most important things you should keep in mind. If you are able to choose your own materials, you’ll want to keep in mind how much maintenance you have time to accommodate, and how the material works with the architectural style of the house.
- The next element is the openings on your home. As the next largest item that draws the eye, your windows, doors, garage opening, and any other entrances all have to be considered. The colour of the trim around these items, or the colour of the items themselves, could make a big difference in the colours you choose for other elements. Most manufacturers today offer these elements in a variety of colours and styles, so that you can achieve exactly the look you want.
- Finally, the third element is the decorative items that give your home unique character. Items like the railings, shutters, cornices, or any other decorative, architectural element should be considered. Not only do you need to consider the colour of these items, but they will also reveal the architectural style of your home, which can help you narrow down your colour choices.
Architectural Styling and Landscaping
With all three of the elements listed above, the architectural styling of your house will play a big part. Certain styles utilize specific materials and decorative elements; your doors and windows will reflect the style of the building. For example, if your home has a more classical style, such as a Colonial home, you may find that your exterior is all or part brick, which can limit you to colours that coordinate well with the shade of brick.
Some homes, like country style cottages, are much easier to match with bright, fun colours. In addition to considering your own home’s style, you may also want to consider the style of the homes around you. Your neighborhood or town may have ordinances that prevent you from choosing certain options.
Another thing that can affect what you choose for each of the three elements is your landscaping. If you have a lot of bright flowers, you may want a neutral home to provide the perfect backdrop. The orientation of the sun could be another factor for how you choose certain features, particularly your windows and garage doors.
Natural Coordination
After considering the three elements of the exterior of your home, as well as the architectural style, the landscaping, and the position of the sun, you likely have your colour options almost completely narrowed down to create an harmonious style. Neutral colours, or colours that complement the other elements of your house and property, will have the most lasting appeal. Most paint companies have website sections devoted to exteriors that can help you visualize colour combinations till you find the perfect combinations.
There’s one more thing that every homeowner should keep in mind when designing the exterior of a home: your entrances. Your front door and your garage door can be used to set the style when you just need that extra touch. Your garage door, particularly, should often be a lighter colour, because it is so large. If you have a dark garage door, you can use plants, lighting, windows, or other decorative items to reduce the heavy contrast. When the possibility of adding a row of windows to your garage door exists, make sure they coordinate with your front door. If you need help visualizing this, try using Garaga’s Design Centre to get a free quote.
By concentrating on the three elements of your home’s exterior, you can create the cozy, homey environment you’ve always envisioned. Once you are ready to choose the garage door that finishes off the look, you can contact us. We will help you make the best choice according to your tastes and budget.
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