Pick the Perfect House Color

1. Look Around the Neighborhood

There's often a consistent color scheme running throughout. Look for complementary colors and intensities that'll blend right in.

2. What's Your Style?
Do you live in an old Victorian, midcentury modern or Spanish colonial home? That can really dictate your color scheme. For example, a Victorian lends itself to pastels, like pink, mint green or baby blue. Those colors wouldn't work for a midcentury modern or Spanish colonial, which are typically in more muted and neutral tones.

3. Think About What Can't Be Changed
Walk around your house and look at the large structural elements that can't be altered, such as the color of your stonework or roof shingles. Make sure that your new paint color will complement them. Also remember that if you have any brickwork, such as a chimney or foundation, it can be painted.

4. Color Evokes Moods
Think about the overall impact that you're hoping to create. Do you want the house to appear bright and cheerful? Use light colors, such as cream, light gray or white exterior paint. Or do you want it to feel more impressive and substantial? Consider using deeper colors, like dark gray, chocolate brown or navy.

5. Consider Your Surroundings
Are you surrounded by a lush landscape with lots of trees and flowers? Steer clear of painting your home green or it will just blend right in. Think about architectural elements, plants, flowers and trees when selecting the right hue for your home.

6. What Are You Trying to Hide?
Are there any architectural details, like gutters or an A/C unit, that you'd like to de-emphasize? Surround an A/C unit with paneling that's painted the same color as the house or paint gutters to blend in. And the reverse is true: If you have beautiful windows that you'd like to emphasize, paint them a contrasting color so that they'll stand out.

7. Do Your Homework
Drive around different neighborhoods and take pictures of the color combinations that appeal to you. Check the paint displays at your local Lowe's. They often have brochures with house color combinations that can inspire you. Start surfing the internet. Check real estate websites and see what you like. You can also search sites like Pinterest, and start a board to collect your favorites. More than likely, you'll start to see a recurring theme.

8. Be Bold — but Not Too Bold
Unless you're 100% certain of a bold color pattern, consider painting your house in a neutral tone. Then use pops of color on your front door or shutters. If you ever tire of that bright red or canary yellow door, it's a cheap and easy weekend fix.

9. Don't Skimp on Quality
Buy the best paint you can afford. A high-quality paint will hold up better to the elements and save you money in the long run.

Looking for green exterior paint colors or gray exterior paint ideas? Curious about exterior black paint? Start by using the Lowe’s Virtual Paint Desk.

• Try various color chips from your preferred palette or browse colors online and purchase paint samples.
• Pick your top four base colors and a couple for the door and/or shutters, and have sample pots made.
• In an inconspicuous area, paint a 2-foot-by-2-foot square of each sample on the side of your house. Paint these base colors next to one another. Then paint the corresponding shutter or door color above them. Colors will vary according to the type of light being cast, so it’s a good idea to observe them at various times of the day.
• If you’re not thrilled with the samples, start looking at other paint colors you find appealing and have a custom color created.