Old Exterior Home Colors

For resale value, it helps to keep in mind a house's design when choosing the color for exterior siding, trim and door colors. A homeowner might actually devalue a house by making the wrong choices. Although exterior home color is a personal choice, certain color schemes are historically correct for a particular house design.

• For an Ornamental Cottage, the color Renwick Golden Oak, a medium tan color, is ideal for the siding. A darker color, such as Status Bronze will make the door and trim stand out. The gable over the porch and the windows will look sparkly clean painted a lighter color Burlap.  


• When choosing colors for a Gothic Revival style house, consider choosing both warm and cool colors. If a homeowner chooses a dark color for the siding, the trim should be a medium shade and accents should be a lighter shade. The opposite is true for a lighter siding choice; a darker choice should be made for the accents. An example would be Dormer Brown for the siding, Burnished Brandy for the trim and perhaps Portabello for the accents.


• Baguette is an ideal neutral color option for siding for a Late Victorian Italianate. Trim the Baguette siding color with Pier trim paint and Sturdy Brown accents for this house to remain historically correct. An Early Victorian Italianate might be better suited in Pepper Gray siding, Mink trim and Chocolate Brown for the accents. 


• The Barber Villa allows for additional color choices if a homeowner desires. The floor of the porch and door trim might be painted the same color to bridge the colors from the door and the lighter wall. It is acceptable to paint the shutters a separate color. If a homeowner chooses Olive Grove as the siding color, a French Roast color for the door, Bosc Pear for the windows then a Galliant Gold color for the shutters would be an excellent additional color choice.