Painting Your House — Increase Your Curb Appeal


Definition of Curb Appeal: the visual attractiveness of a house as seen from the street


Potential home buyers WILL decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal. They’ll make a decision if they even want to see it, from how it looks on the outside.


One of the most important things you can do to enhance curb appeal is to make the outside sure the paint looks good and is appealing.


When deciding on what colors to paint your house, keep the following in mind:





Neighborhood Context
Make sure that your colors are compatible with the houses next door

Existing Colors
New paint doesn’t need to match existing colors, but it should harmonize.

Is there mortar or other siding that will not be painted? Do you have brick or stones on parts of the house?

Will doors and railings remain their existing colors?

Accents
Select accent colors for trim and details such as shutters, moldings and columns.

Too many colors will overwhelm your house and too few will make it seem two dimensional.

Dark and Light Colors
Light colors will make your house seem larger.

Lighter tones will highlight details which project from the wall surface.

Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller

Darker shades are best for accenting recesses,

Harmony and Contrast, and Balance

Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details.



Extreme contrasts will clash and actually detract from details.

A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance.

Strive to balance colors over the entire building.

Durability
The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade.

Dark colors also pose more maintenance problems.

Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades.

Dark paint fades, it’s difficult to touch up.

Sheen
Glossier surfaces show imperfections, brush strokes and touch up marks.

Glossy surfaces are easier to clean.

Preview your Color
Many paint stores and computer programs offer computer imaging to give you an idea of how a particular color will look

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