If you want to spruce up your home and give it some curb appeal, painting the exterior a new colour can really add value. Whether you're just looking for a change or preparing to sell, Andrea from Dulux has some advice on how to choose the right colour.
The right paint for the job
When painting the outside of your home, it's important that you use exterior paint. It's different from interior paint because it includes UV protection, moisture barriers and features stronger pigments, which prevent the colours from fading.
Consider the surface
There are many different types of exterior surfaces that you can paint, and they all need to be treated differently. Whether you want to paint brick, rendered masonry, corrugated iron, weatherboard, cladding or timber surfaces, check what kind of paint is recommended as well as the best way to apply it. A good spray gun will make painting some of these surfaces really easy
The three-colour rule
A good rule of thumb when considering colours for your home's exterior is to limit it to three colours. Try one neutral colour for the main walls, a contrasting colour for accents and a third for the roof trim.
Neutrals and whites
“Warm neutrals and soft whites are versatile enough to use on any style of home,” says Andrea. A good tip is to take a look around your local neighbourhood at the colour schemes of similar houses to see which shade suits your style of house.
Greys
Andrea says that “cool greys and crisp whites are a good choice for modern homes. They are ideal for architectural accents like gutters, downpipes, door and window trims, shutters and brackets around your home.”
Contrasting colours
If your walls are a neutral colour, then you may want to add some contrasting colours to your outdoors to make an impact. For example, you can create a focal point by adding some colour to your front door or even consider painting your roof.
Add a texture
Using textured paint can add a different look to your home. You could opt for the Tuscan soft washed look on your walls or a subtle rock finish for a modern home. Whichever colour you choose, the textured finish is sure to impress.
Start painting
You can check out the full Dulux exterior range available at your local Bunnings.