We’ve all seen them, the houses that make you gasp when you walk or drive by. You immediately blurt out, “What in the world were they thinking? Did they do a color test first?” The neighbors must be horrified or downright angry especially if they plan on putting their house on the market in the next few years. There is definitely a way to avoid this mistake with your own home or investment property.
If you are in a neighborhood that has an HOA, they typically have a list of acceptable color palates available to you. Otherwise, you will need to take your color choice to the HOA and have them approve the color. The goal is to keep the neighborhood consistent and clean.
If you don’t have an HOA that governs the area, you will just have to use your best judgment. Drive around your neighborhood and look at the different houses. Decide on which colors you like. Once you find a few that you like, head on over to your local paint store and grab a few swatches. It’s important to remember that a color can look truly different in the sun than it does when it’s cloudy outside. Portland has many cloudy days so sticking with a northwest color palette is a safe move.
Just remember that color makes a first impression and can enhance curb appeal and even resale value. You can highlight your home’s architectural detail by selecting a great contrasting or accent color for the trim, shutters and front door/entryway. Keep in mind that some colors can not be changed like the roof so do your best to select a color that compliments your roofs color. Also, your color should neither match nor clash with your neighbor’s homes.
Many paint stores offer computer imaging so you can get an idea of how your house would look using the colors you like. There are also some fabulous online tools available to you that can help you select the colors for your home. Benjaminmoore.com and Sherwin-Williams.com are just a couple of great online resources.
A fresh coat of paint can add new life to your home and really enhance your home’s value and curb appeal. Just make sure to take your time and don’t rush to a decision. It’s an expensive mistake to fix!! But most of all have fun!!
Tags: Fixers, Home Improvement
