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How to Select An Exterior Color For Your New Home

Choosing the right exterior colors for your home is a crucial decision that can enhance curb appeal and reflect your personal style. Here’s a quick guide for you to consider when selecting the right color for the exterior of your custom luxury home.

Understand Your Home’s Architecture
– Certain color schemes work best with specific architectural styles. For example, Victorian homes often feature rich, bold palettes, while modern homes look great with minimalist, neutral tones.

Consider the Surrounding Environment
– Neighborhood Aesthetics: Take note of nearby homes and contact your neighborhood associate for a list of approved colors, if this applies. While you don’t have to match exactly, staying in harmony with the neighborhood’s overall look can increase the visual appeal.
– Natural Surroundings: Homes in wooded areas may look great with earthy tones, while coastal homes might suit lighter, breezy colors like blues and whites.

Choose a Main Color
– The main color covers the largest surface area. Popular choices include neutral tones (gray, beige, white) because they’re timeless, luxurious and versatile. Bolder choices like navy or olive green can add character and add a pop of pizazz to the exterior of your home.

Look at Trends, But Don’t Overcommit
The Sherwin-Williams Color trend palette for 2025 has been released. This guide can be helpful as you evaluate what exterior color is best for your home. Locally, Paul Gray Homes is seeing a shift from the grays to a balance between nature-inspired tones, bold statements, and modernized neutrals in 2025. Trendy colors can be inspiring, but it’s best to pick timeless shades that won’t look outdated quickly.  Shades like airy blues, woodsy greens, and earthy grays are gaining traction. These colors evoke calm and are inspired by lakeside and forest aesthetics. They pair well with natural materials like stone and wood. Modern Neutrals like Greige (a mix of gray and beige) and soft gray remain popular for their versatility. These tones offer a contemporary twist on classic neutrals and blend seamlessly with both traditional and modern architectural styles.

Get Inspired
– Browse photos online, drive through neighborhoods, or consult design magazines for ideas. If you’re unsure, professional color consultants can help you decide. We also encourage you to check out our design gallery.

Select Accent Colors
– Accent colors highlight smaller areas like shutters, doors, and trim. These should complement, not clash with, the main color. For example, if your main color is light, darker accent colors like charcoal or navy can create a balanced contrast.

Don’t Forget the Roof
– The color of your roof also plays a significant role in your home’s curb appeal. A warm-colored roof (red or brown tones) pairs well with warm shades, while a slate or black roof is versatile and works with a broader palette.

Think About Lighting
– Colors can appear different depending on the lighting. Test samples of your chosen palette on different sides of your house to see how they look throughout the day.

Factor in Materials
– Consider any exposed brick, stone, or wood. These elements have natural hues that can either be complemented or contrasted with your color choices.

Virtually Test the Palette
– Use exterior design tools or paint apps to visualize the colors on your home. Many paint brands also offer sample pots to test small areas.

Choosing the right color for the exterior of your custom luxury home, can be a daunting process. We encourage you to contact a professional interior designer or Paul Gray Homes design experts to help you select the color that is right for you. To get started building your custom luxury home, contact us today!