House Color Selection in the Northwest

Choosing the right paint color is one of the most crucial things you can do for the curb appeal and value of your home. If you are considering putting your house on the market, getting the exterior painted could provide a great return on investment.

In many ways, exterior painting is one of our favorite things to do because of the reaction that a change in color evokes from the owner at the end of the day.

---

One of the ways we help our customers as professional house painters is by assisting with color selection. Through our contacts and experience, we can help in all aspects of choosing which color and brand to use on your home. Get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a free estimate for your job!

---

3 Tips for Choosing Your Exterior Paint Colors

Curb Appeal Tip #1: Find Your House’s Vogue  

Whether you have Tudor architecture, American Foursquare, or Pacific Lodge, your outside paint scheme will be most impactive if it suits the style. Imagine an American Colonial painted mint green. Unsettling, right?

Many modern paint companies offer sets of historically accurate paint schemes, which are based off of colors of the appropriate time period. These collections can be a great jumping-off point for your design; it might also be a good idea to speak with a professional who specializes in historical architecture or painting.  Of course, you do not have to adhere to strict guidelines unless your town or HOA has a strict policy. But remember, classics are classics for a reason.  

Curb Appeal Tip #2: Put On Some Shades  

At its core, an exterior paint scheme has three major parts. The dominating, or field color, covers most of the exterior of the home. The accent color(s) are used for the doors, shutters, and other small areas, while the trim color(s) are used for roof edges, door and window casings, trim, and railings.  

To get the most pop out of your color scheme, the trim should strongly contrast against the field color, although some people prefer a more modern monochromatic look. These types of homes typically usually only feature one or two muted colors. 

If you like dark colors, perhaps a classic white or pale trim would be right for you. Conversely, a light field color with dark trim gives your home a crisp, dramatic effect that is a real eye-catcher. Bold accent colors are encouraged but, remember, everything in moderation. A brightly painted door can give just the right degree of pizzazz but using the same color on the trim or shutters might be too much. Do not be afraid to go with your instincts – and maybe get a second opinion.

Curb Appeal Tip #3: Get Painting!  

It is a well-known fact, a painted wall looks very different from a swatch or chip. Since you have a whole house to tackle and not one small room, you are going to want to get the shade correct the first time. Buy a quart of paint in the shade that you like and test it in an inconspicuous area on the exterior of your house.  Let it dry and check it at different intervals throughout the day.  Check it through varying weather conditions and with changing light conditions. If you are not happy, just do the same thing with another color.  This way of testing is the only sure-fire method to make sure that you will be happy with your final exterior paint decision.  

Bonus Tip: Consider Your Surroundings

As a homeowner, you should recognize the relationship of your home to the street and its surroundings. Does it sit amongst many other houses or away from the street? You might want to try a darker color to make it look more recessive or a lighter color to make it stand out. 

---

4 Things You Need to Know About Exterior Painting

Is exterior painting one of the big projects on your to-do list for the coming year? Here are 4 things you need to know about exterior house painting.

1. Paint with the Rain in Mind

When it rains, it pours – at least in Oregon during the rainy season. Oregon City, for example, receives almost 40 inches of rain between October and May alone.

It’s important to paint with the local climate in mind. That means using a house paint that is durable against water. For wood decks and surfaces, using a quality stain is crucial.

The climate can also dictate when you’ll do your exterior painting projects. Summertime can be the best time to do exterior house painting – but it’s also the busy season. Be sure to book your professional exterior paint services as far in advance as possible.

2. Prepping Is Key

If last winter did a number on the exterior of your house, you’ll want to get ready for some necessary prep work.

Paint doesn’t stick to rough, chipped, and dirty surfaces. Before painting, you’ll want to sand down your home’s exterior. You should scrape away any peeling paint, as well.

Painting over rotting wood will only prove pointless over time. The wood and siding will continue to rot. So, it’s best to replace them or apply a wood filler before painting.

Be sure to fill any holes and cracks with spackle and calk the trims. Apply a pressure washer if the exterior has built-up dirt and grime. 

Of course, professional painters should be expected to do all or much of this for you as part of the job.

3. Choose Quality Colors

Are you planning to put your house up for sale in the next couple of years? If so, you’ll want to choose colors that add value. 

Think of color contrasts in terms of the surrounding area. For example, if you live near lush trees, go for olive green and white. If you live in a suburban neighborhood, try gray and white.

Focus on timeless colors that will be in style for years to come. In a place like Oregon, there are lots of beautiful neutral tones to draw inspiration from.

4. Exterior Painting is Harder than it Might Look

You may have many home improvement projects in the works. But if painting is not your forte, leave it to the experts. In terms of time, resources, and results, the job turns out better when done by experienced house painters.

Now is the time to get a free quote on painting your house. Contact us today to learn more.

---

How Interior and Exterior House Paint Colors Can Affect the Value of Your Home

Did you know that a fresh coat of paint on your exterior walls can boost your home value and attract more potential buyers?

If you’re planning to sell your home, consider color psychology before you begin staging it for the real estate market. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to completely change the look of your home is to give it a new coat of paint.

Blue is one the colors that will increase the sales value almost instantly. Beige and taupe work best for living room walls, while light grey is a great option for the exterior walls. Read on to discover how the right house colors can help you increase the value of your home and help you sell it faster.

Blue Can Add Thousands of Dollars in Value

Blue is among the most used colors that sell houses because it can be used on both interior and exterior walls. It can add thousands of dollars in value, especially if it’s well-blended with the rest of the house. Painting your front door in dark or navy blue can help you sell your home faster.

Paint the Living Room Walls in Oatmeal

Beige, light cream and oatmeal are all safe choices for the house color inside, especially in the living room.

Warm colors attract more buyers who are ready to pay top dollar for a neutral interior wall. The light shades are easy to combine with almost every other color in the interior.

Use “Greige” for the Exterior Walls

If you’re wondering what color house sells the best, the answer is “greige”. It’s a mix of grey and beige and the best exterior color to paint any house which is up for sale.

Your house exterior is the first thing prospective buyers see. Make sure the paint is relatively recent in order to look attractive to the eye. If it’s older or of lower quality, people will notice cracks and unequal coverage.

Paint the Front Door

Painting your front door blue or grey can help you ask for a bigger price. Combine it with similar exterior house colors to avoid clashing, and stay away from pure white or dark color choices.

Your House Colors Can Boost Its Selling Price

If your home is listed for sale, staging can only do so much. Choosing specific house colors both inside and outside can help you close the deal much faster, and for more money.

Ready to paint the exterior of your house? Contact us today to get a free quote on our painting services and we’ll reach out soon!