There are so many different colors to choose from for painting the exterior of your Long Island home. Choosing from a dark or light shade and ensuring it will pair well with other exterior features of your home are just a couple of things to consider. It can be challenging to make a final decision on the right one. You want your new exterior paint color to match your home's style, after all.
Benjamin Moore offers a superior selection of top exterior colors that will allow you to find the perfect color not only to suit your home but your style preferences, as well.
Choosing the shade of exterior paint is the first decision in making an overall satisfying selection. When you envision your home, do you see it with light colors, mid-tones or dark colors? If you have trouble deciding, you are not alone. While some people already have an exact idea of how light or dark they would like the exterior of their home to be, others need a little more guidance.
To make the process fun, exciting and practical, follow these tips on how to choose exterior paint colors.
Your home is your own, so you choose the style you like the most. At the same time, looking around your neighborhood is an excellent source of inspiration.
Start by checking out your neighbors' houses. You might find a color that complements theirs and is a good look for you. You can also evaluate what you like about what they do and use that to guide your decisions. Next, move on to the rest of the homes in your neighborhood. You may find that the light-colored house two doors down is more visually appealing to you than the dark house across the street.
It is important to remember that your home does not have to blend in with the rest of the neighborhood. It can be as unique as you like. However, by exploring different looks, you may come across a lovely combination of shades and colors that you would never have considered before.
Choosing the right exterior paint colors means also thinking about the other colors on your home, even the ones you may not be painting. Every home has different features, such as gutters, shutters, window trim, brick, stone, roofing color and more. Believe it or not, these are all important to evaluate when selecting the right paint color combination without clashing. Refer to some of these tips for choosing exterior paint colors to ensure your final choice has curb appeal.
From the tinted shingles on your roof to the stone at the entranceway, you should account for every accent color on the exterior of your home. Use the tints of color within these features to help find a color that will pair nicely.
Roofs with red undertones are easily matched with neutral colors, while those sporting green or blue undertones have a little more color freedom. When choosing colors to match stone or brick, pick out one shade within that feature and use that to guide exterior paint color decisions.
Unless you plan on making a significant renovation to your roof or the stones that wrap your home, it will be in your best interest to go with the flow of the colors they provide rather than try to fight against them. Embracing the accent colors your home already has can be a big help.
There is an infinite amount of inspiration and ideas you can find on the internet. Use your house's style and design as a starting point for searching images. For instance, if your home is a 'Colonial' or a 'Cape,' you could research either of these words to get a visual idea of what your home could look like in a variety of shades. Doing this could help you comfortably decide between a light, dark or in-between shade as well as the best ways to complement your home's architectural style.
The most important tip when using the internet is to be wary of trends. The latest and greatest trend might sound appealing, but they tend to go out of fashion quickly.
The color wheel rule is a great way to test and narrow down your house paint colors. Using a color wheel for exterior painting will help you find the perfect match.
If complementary colors have you confused, you can also refer to a color wheel and use its general rules as a guideline. It is easy to find colors that complement one another on a color wheel. Find a color you like and look at the one right across from it to find its complementary match.
A color wheel will also allow you to compare different hues and shades to find groups that appeal to you the most. This could be an excellent place to start before diving into dozens of paint chip samples without knowing where to begin.
As always, neutral shades such as beige and brown are always a safe choice if you are unsure of any other colors to make a permanent part of your home.
Monochromatic exterior paint themes where you paint everything all in one color can look modernized and elegant on a home with attractive architectural design when done in off-white. A black and charcoal gray theme can add drama. It all depends on the tone you want to set.
The location of the sun and how much sunlight parts of your home receive can help a lot in choosing exterior paint. Sunlight intensifies the colors that it shines on.
A tip to keep in mind is that you should opt for color at least 2-3 times warmer than the initial color you chose for your perfect exterior color. The sun's rays can make exterior paints have a green or blue hue, and not necessarily the kind you are looking for. Choosing a warmer color will help achieve a balance and get you the perfect color you envision for your home.
This rule especially applies to white, as some colors of white can cast a bright blue hue that may not be desirable.
Shade, on the other hand, subdues hues. If your home sits in the shadows of a cluster of trees, a brighter and lighter color can help make a difference and allow your home to stand out.
Paint sheen or gloss is an important part of a home's exterior. Sheen refers to the appearance and durability of your exterior house paint. The outside of your home is exposed to sun, rain, snow and wear and tear — and this is where paint sheen matters.
The performance, strength and appearance of your home's paint is greatly affected by the paint sheen you choose. Make sure this vital factor is a part of your decision-making process.
A glossy paint sheen shines and reflects light, while a matte paint sheen is dull and absorbs light. These are the two opposite ends of the spectrum, with several options in between.
Matte paint is non-reflective with an almost chalky and rough feel. Being non-reflective makes it great at hiding dents, bumps and scratches in your paint, plus it gives your house a modern, contemporary look.
The downsides are that matte paint is trickier to clean, and it's easy to notice when the sheen flakes and chips off and must be repainted frequently. Even so, matte types of paint dry quickly, so repainting is a little easier.
Gloss and semi-gloss sheens make exterior paint colors for houses more durable and longer-lasting. This type of paint is easy to clean and repels dirt, debris and stains. At the same time, a glossy sheen is tricky to overlap properly, and it makes imperfections and bumps more visible.
Satin, eggshell and low lustre finishes are the middle points between flat and glossy sheens. These paints have the best of both worlds. They're long-lasting, smooth and easy to clean. At the same time, lap marks are visible, and the sheen can be uneven. Re-mixing and touch-ups are also routinely required.
The beauty of selecting exterior paint colors is the ability to test samples before you invest in the final color. Benjamin Moore makes some of the finest exterior house paint options to help you find and test the colors you're considering.
While paint chip samples can give an approximate idea of what paint colors look like on average, it is not a 100% guarantee. Paint cards can not properly simulate the color on certain materials or under specific amounts of sunlight. Taking some paint samples home is the best way to test a color or two and get accurate results to examine.
Apply sample paint to a large spot on your home. It is typically recommended that a 4" x 4" area with a double-coat is ideal. Allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before deciding, as wet paint looks different when it dries. This will allow you to see what it will look like.
You should also see if there are any weird hues you do not like that may be seen throughout the day as the sunlight changes. Checking for these things will help you decide whether or not you need to adjust your color selection.
Additionally, some paints apply better and have a more excellent final color on only certain surfaces. When choosing your paint, consider the texture of what you will be painting. You may need heavy-duty paint, or a color that provides better coverage may be necessary. Testing paint and applying it directly to the area will allow you to see how well your chosen paint will work for its intended application.
Not everything has to blend seamlessly together. It is a lot more exciting and appealing to the eye when a home has color variation. One of the best ways to achieve this is through the application of light and dark colors. If you have a darker roof, go for a lighter shade of exterior paint. If the home is made of red brick, select a contrasting color for the trim.
However, it is possible to have too many colors going on at once. When choosing the right exterior paint colors for your doors, shutters and other features, it is essential to remember that less is more. Sticking with one primary trim color to accompany the body color will help all of the details of your home stand out without getting lost or looking entirely chaotic.
For example, a darker green-colored home with natural details, such as stone, can be beautifully complemented with white hues for the trim to lighten up the entire look. You can compliment lighter-colored homes with darker colors of accent features such as a darkly colored door that can make a statement.
A tip for choosing the best contrasting color is to select colors from the same sample color strip. When you look at a multi-colored paint sample strip, colors range from the lightest shade to the darkest shade of that one particular color. It typically works out well when choosing contrasting shades to select one of the most delicate and one of the darkest because those colors already complement one another.
At Aboff's Paints, we have over 90 years of paint expertise. The #1 retailer of Benjamin Moore on Long Island, we provide our customers with superior-quality paints. Whether you are looking to do a personal home project or are seeking supplies to complete a contracting job, we have what you need to get the job done right.
Discover our selection of exterior Benjamin Moore paints including the following:
We understand the importance of finding the perfect color the first time around. That is why Benjamin Moore paint color samples are available for purchase in-store and online to help you make the final decision. With paints available in many colors and a variety of finishes, we are sure you will find the best color for your vision with us.
Whether you are shopping in one of our 32 stores located on Long Island or shopping with us online, our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to help you find the right exterior paint for your project. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us today. We will be happy to help you!
