First Impressions Are Everything

First impressions are everything; your home is no exception. Think of your home’s colour palette as an important backdrop, but picking the right paint is a topic that causes frustration for many. Paint is relatively simple to apply or change, but it is still important to remember that the wrong colour inside or out can ruin the rest of the ambiance. To prevent this, many real estate professionals recommend painting your home in neutral colours.

Does that mean you’re stuck inside a bland, beige nightmare? Not necessarily. Remember, the term “neutral colours” doesn’t limit you to shades of white and beige. With a little pre-planning and a sense for the effect colour has on the human brain, you can use browns, greens and even bolder colours to highlight your home.

Painting the exterior can also update a home’s appearance, but be careful. While no one would think twice about painting a house in Florida peach or turquoise, chances are these colours would turn off potential buyers in a suburban Toronto neighbourhood.

White with Bold Accents
There’s nothing wrong with a classic. Accents of colour can reflect your personal style or add some personality to the exterior. The front door is a common colourful focal point. If you don’t want to take on the massive undertaking that painting your whole house can be, start there – a little colour can go a long way.

Mellow Yellow
Subtle yellows can convey a friendly environment to guests. Warm colours are often perceived as more welcoming and family-oriented. Buttery yellows paired with black shutters and white trim can provide visual interest. Remember how we talked about subtle? Be careful to steer clear of anything overly bright or neon, colours in those families can come off as aggressive and clash with almost everything.

Sky blue
Working with colours inspired by natural landscapes is rarely a bad idea. This colour has been popular for years and shows no sign of changing anytime soon. Avoid choosing a colour too bright for the neighbourhood – pastels are your friend here.

Warm Grey and Green
Colours that complement the current exterior materials of your home, such as stone or brick, are extremely popular. There has been a strong push toward warm tones which help balance natural materials, and colourful neutrals bring a sense of sophistication.

Moody Grey
Don’t be afraid to go to the dark side, either. Just keep the trim and surrounding landscaping light and airy.

Source: Homservice Club of Canada