Using Contrast Between Colors on the Exterior of a Home

Subtle changes in interior paint colors between walls and trim may be apparent, but subtle changes in exterior paint colors are less so. Bright natural light and shadows from trees, surrounding buildings and even the actual building itself, create more visible differences than the change in one shade change of color. You’ll notice in the house photo above that the darker color on the LP^® SmartSide^® Cedar Texture Lap Siding looks lighter above the garage (creating less contrast with main body color) and darker above the front porch (creating more contrast with main body color).

In order to create any kind of visible color change, it’s necessary to go two to three shades lighter or darker than another color on the exterior. Suppose you choose a light color for the body of the exterior. It is often best to keep the body and trim color the same, as trim one shade lighter than the body color is hardly worth the effort. If you want there to be any visible contrast, choose a trim that is at least two shades lighter or darker than the body. For bolder contrast, choose colors that are three to four shades lighter or darker. Remember, the same paint color reads substantially lighter on an exterior than it does on an interior.

Contrast between exterior colors - or the lack of contrast - creates certain effects that impact a home's visual appearance. Low or no contrast downplays architectural features. This may be a good choice if your home has specific features that you don't particularly want to highlight, or even if you just want the visual impact to be subtle and sophisticated. It also may be the way to go if your home is situated very close to its neighbors and to the road, as high contrast in close quarters can be visually jarring.

On the other hand, high contrast highlights architectural features that you want to stand out. Using colors several shades apart is a good choice if you want the architectural features to be noticed. This may be the way to go if your home is separated from neighbors or well off the road. With less contrast between exterior elements, the view from the road may look lackluster because passersby won't notice the more interesting architectural features of the home.

*LP SmartSide colors on lead image: Leeds Castle, Grey Garden, and Creekbottom