Deciding to makeover the exterior of your home is a big decision, it’s a complex process that requires careful planning and it all begins with color. The colors you choose are an expression of your home’s architecture, character, surroundings as well as a reflection of your personal style. With many options for exterior siding products available, one of the most popular is vinyl siding. With such a wide array of shades, ranging from muted tones to dark, brooding hues, it’s easy to see why. Selecting that perfect color along with accent colors can be a daunting task, here are a few tips to help you make the right vinyl siding color choices:
Work with the elements you can’t change
Unless you are completely redoing your whole house, chances are your roof, stonework and walkway will remain unchanged. Take the colors of these elements in to consideration when choosing your color scheme. If the main colors are earth tones think of selecting a shade that will tie all together. If your home has a dramatic stone facade, choosing a vinyl siding hue that mimics a shade found in the stone will help create a cohesive look without being too distracting.
Mix it up with textures and finishes
Create depth and dimension by using contrasting finishes on your home. This is quite a popular trend at the moment. Using different textures in certain sections of your home can really elevate the overall look, especially if you are opting for the same shades on the whole exterior.
Play up your home’s architecture
The architectural style of your home be it a craftsman, a ranch or contemporary modern, will help dictate the color palette that best suits it. A modern home will shine clad in dark, cool tones which will further emphasize its sleekness. On the other side, a traditional house will crave wonderfully rich, warm tones. But don’t be afraid to try something new! We recently saw a beautiful Victorian home go from a muted, pastel yellow to a dramatic charcoal. The effect was simply stunning!
Show off your personal style
Let’s face it, siding is not an emotional buy but our home is full of emotion! You want your house to reflect who you are, choose a color scheme that you love. If you are attracted to the contemporary look, choose colors that have darker undertones and anchor the palette with an element in black (could be your front door or even the existing roof shingles). If you love adventure, why not add a pop of bright color to your home. Maybe that vivid orange is too bold for your entire home but placed in the gables as an accent will add a touch of flair.
Look at the big picture
When you have narrowed down your choices, don’t rely on a small color swatch to solidify your choice. Experts suggest obtaining a few pieces (preferably a foot long) to get a better sense of the shade. Another thing to keep in mind, exterior colors shift depending on how the light hits them which can dramatically change them. Make sure to look at your colors during different times of the day.
Transforming your home can be overwhelming but with the right tools and tips, it can be fun as well. Look at Houzz, Pinterest as well as other social media platforms for inspiration. Once you have your favorites, try them on tools that can bring your vision to life such as KP’s Home Designer 2.0. HD 2.0 will enable you to upload your home and choose your colors.