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An outdoor space with dining table, paved area and wicker elements
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.

Outside of a modern home with plants in front.

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

Outside of a weatherboard home with various plants and decor displayed.

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.

Outside of terrace style home with black and white paint job.

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.

Outdoor pool area with decking, furniture, plants.

Start painting

You can check out the full Dulux exterior range available at your local Bunnings.

 

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.