Choosing the right colors for your home's exterior can really make a difference in how it looks. Opting for the wrong color can be a costly and very visible mistake. Taking a few factors into consideration can help you with the decision.

Use Multiple Colors

While it might be tempting to just paint everything a single color, recent trends in residential exterior painting include using multiple colors. It's typical to use three colors, although these don't have to be three different colors but could instead be three shades of a single color. The main part of the house is one color, the shutters and trim are another and the door is a third (and usually brighter or darker) color. Some people take this trend even further and make the garage door and the porch or deck each a different color as well. 

Take Surroundings Into Consideration

It isn't a good idea to pick exterior paint colors without considering the surroundings. For example, you don't want your home to clash with the neighbor's home or fade into the background because you choose a green that blends in too much with all the trees and plants surrounding the home. Also, don't forget to take into consideration the colors of the parts of the home that can't change, such as any stone, brick, metal or roofing materials. The paint colors you choose should go well with these colors.

Consider Traditional Color Options

Although there are a wide variety of popular color choices, people who are planning to sell their homes may want to stick with more traditional color choices that will be likely to attract the widest range of people. According to Bob Vila, these include forest green, sable brown, wheat, cypress green, white, lighthouse red, blue gray, light blue, yellow, putty, gray, taupe and off-white. These types of colors can be combined to come up with particularly inviting mixes. For example, an ivory home with white trim and an aqua door or a light yellow home with white trim and a cinnamon door. Taupe, putty and green look nice together as well.

Check for Local Regulations

People living in certain neighborhoods may be limited by homeowner's or neighborhood associations to which colors they're allowed to use. The same is true for certain historic homes. Historically accurate colors often look better on more historic homes as well, as they can help to enhance the style of the architecture.

Talk to a residential exterior painting company for more ideas.