Take curb appeal to the next level by choosing colors that will harmonize with the neighborhood while keeping you a step ahead.
In this modern era where we can input a new address or new route to our destination in our cellular phones, landmarks have become obsolete. Or have they? There are still spots around the world that require a little help in addition to Bing and Google maps. Years ago I was riding around with my uncle in pursuit of my new accountant and oh how many “make a U-turn redirections” we encountered from Lola. (a knock off version compared to Robin Williams’ RV version) Our ignorance of the town and the actual names of the abbreviate number routes combined with dead ends led to a two hour trip that under technology free methods would have only taken twenty minutes. But don’t laugh too hard, as there are many who have driven into the water because their TomTom or Garmin directed them thus.
This is one of many reasons it’s worth making your house stand out. To create curb appeal with landmark quality that should your global positioning system fail you, or the address not exist in the world wide web, you can tell newcomers, “I’m the one with the blue door!”
As you approach new colors for the exterior of your home, there are a few things to take into consideration to create a bigger impact and effect for your directional landmark.
Your Neighborhood
If you are contracted with a HOA (Home Owner’s Associate) you have to check with them if you can change your color. Many communities activate a neutral color policy with only several shades to choose from for the exterior painting of your home. Adhere to the policy set before you and talk to the board to find creative ways to work around some of the guideline so you can express your small land plot with some popping color.
Your Yard
White picket fence? Wildflower bed? Shrubbery? These structures and plant life will help determine the color you choose. A white picket fence is a charming part that won’t mesh with a modern paint theme.
Your House Style
Colonial, Cape Cod, Rancher, Log, Manor, Bay and Gable, Conch, Bungalow, Storybook, Cottage, these are the prefixes to your home. Take time to make sure the color personality, house personality and your personality are on the same page. Some stereotypes are accurate and exist for a reason.
Your House Color
Painting your shutters, window frames and your door are a much easier task than tackling the three stories of siding that cover and protect your house. If you feel the need to update the tone and language of your home with some color, and can forego the entire structure, try going for just the door or other accent elements. This way you can paint the door, and unscrew the shutters and paint them on a sawhorse.
Your Personality
Don’t be the house with the blue door, just to be the house with the blue door. Maybe purple or red are more to your liking and the character traits that so many associate you with. This is your home and should reflect that as much as possible in order to live up to your Pinterest cushion pin, “Home Sweet Home.”
Your Statement
What do you want your door to say other than, “I’m blue?” Just like your interior is full of elements that speak to your friends and family in ways of country, casual, industrial, etc., the same should be said of your out of doors.
Once you have successfully check marked off each item, and you want to proceed with utmost caution than you can spreadsheet them all into an organized manor that will help you decide if lemon yellow, tangerine, plumb purple, grass green or just blue is the perfect match. If I’m ever in your area, I’ll be looking for the house with the blue door!
