Curb appeal
by
Sarah Parker
+18
We wanted to give our house an update and changed the wood trim from brown to grey. We feel it looks clean but boring. 1) We have window shutters for the windows about the garage. Should they go back on and in which colour ?2) Totally overwhelmed with choosing a new door and color for it.3) Should we paint the bricks, if yes which colour ?4) The soffit is clear lack. What color should we use for it ?Thank you :)
16 answers
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I really like gray with creamy yellow. I'd paint the brick and soffits with a medium to dark gray. And the same color for your shutters. I'm not real wild about red doors but I bet you get a lot of suggestions for it. I might actually look good with this color combination. Maybe a front door with smaller windows up high like the garage doors would be nice. I'd put an awning over the bay window. Something simple and not too deep, but the whole width of that trim board above it. Paint it the dark gray like the shutters. Use light gray for the roof next time you need shingles.
Lindcurt
on Jun 15, 2015
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You have a pretty home. Here are my 2 cents worth: What ever else you do, please paint your garage doors. I know people seem to think white garage doors are sacred, but painting them will make them blend in with your house--I suggest the same color that you use on the brick. I agree with lindcurt about a dark gray & use this for shutters also. Because the brick & the garage doors are on the lower portions of your house, the dark color will help anchor your house. Choose a medium gray shade for the soffits. A dark rich teal with gray undertones for your front door would be beautiful with both the yellow & the gray. If you're really adventurous, a very dark eggplant on the door would also be pretty.
Debi53
on Jun 15, 2015
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I agree the color scheme is not showing off your home. But there's not much you need to do to up your curb appeal. To give you the most helpful advice, can you add some details? Were you thinking light, medium or dark gray? Green gray, blue gray or brown gray? We need to keep your brown roof in mind as well. If you know the brand & color name/number for the paint color that's on the house, that would be great. I can't tell if it's ivory or pale yellow. Also, what colors are in the brick? Tell me at least 2 of your favorite colors. Look in ur closet or interior decor but whichever one makes you smile. Do you like similar color schemes or striking contrast? Do you want to leave or paint the garage doors? I love picking paint combos. I just did one for my sisters bathroom using Ben Moore Guilford green as the wall color and Blue Danube on her vanity. It tied in her floor tile & made her woodwork look fantastic! A print fabric with both colors made an impressive roman shade from her old blinds. So its key to pick colors that will work with what you already have. I do know your struggle though. I need to pick a front door color now before I list my home for sale. It's tough trying to figure out what will appeal to others! I'm excited to hear back. But for sure, put the shutters up, and add them to the picture window as well. I would also consider adding wrought iron flower boxes under the windows with a fresh coat of black on your railing. I'd also put large black house numbers over the garage doors. If hiring an electrician to install is possible, change the porch light to a large hanging pendant with black trim. I think with a few changes, you will be happy every time you pull in the driveway. I have a few in mind. Please comment on the teal or eggplant colors mentioned in the comments (both excellent choices by the way.)
Sharon
on Jun 16, 2015
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I am not sure you really need to change the paint colors. It is a beautiful home. I definintely would put the shutters back on, use one of the darker colors in your stonework for the shutters. Window boxes at the bigger windows would add some character and color. A trellis over the garage doors with a climbing flowering vine would add a lot of personality and maybe paint the garage doors the same as the window trim. Large house numbers that can be easily seen from the street would add some character--maybe coming down the left of the front door. Some decorative grasses and flowers in the front would also add some life. Good luck!
Susan
on Jun 16, 2015
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I would put the shutters back up. Maybe a few shades darker than the trim. But definitely don't paint the brick. It is just the contrast you need. More flowers or shrubbery.
Carol Guthrie
on Jun 16, 2015
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Maybe if you paint the front door and shutters a deep brown, and put window boxes under the windows, and also paint the garage doors deep woodsy brown, you'd have a swiss village home.
Me
on Jun 16, 2015
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I too suggest you paint the garage doors the same as the house. Right now the focal point of your house is the garage door, when it should be the front door. I would choose a "greige" -a grey with a brown undertone. Then paint the front door a much darker color like a deep charcoal in a high gloss. I would replace the shutters as long as they are large enough to look like they could actually cover the window. The shutters can be painted a shade between the trim and the front door. I would leave the brick as is. I suggest you either drastically prune the greenery in the border or replace it with something that stays more compact. Also replace the outdoor light fixture with one grander in scale and add house numbers, unless they are located elsewhere on your property.
Julies1949
on Jun 16, 2015
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Susan gave u some good suggestions ... I would leave the garage doors the same color as the house bc a contrasting color would make the house look smaller & cause more focus on the garage instead of the house. I think the lattice might b a little too much. I might install a coach lamp & the shutters & flower box will warm it up a bit. It's a great looking house.
Mary Heery
on Jun 16, 2015
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I think the shutters, front door and window boxes would look great in a very woodsy green.....not forest but the more olivey greens that you see in trees. It would make a good statement but not be too bright.
Bill Croley
on Jun 16, 2015
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I think the shutters would look lovely. I'd give the shutters and the door (if you're going to keep the current one) a deep, warm, stain– something like Minwax's Jacobean perhaps? Also, I would absolutely leave the brick as it is. The various tones add that special something to the façade, and they would pop even more with dark stained shutters!
Megan Louise
on Jun 16, 2015
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Your lovely home has certain "Craftsman" styled elements. If you google "Craftsman style split level home" you will get lots of ideas for how to play that up, if you like that style. :)
FionaE
on Jun 17, 2015
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Eggplant. What a great front door color. I love to wear that color. Like someone suggested go into your closet and see what color is in there. That's usually the color that you will be most comfortable living with. So now I'm thinking about painting my door eggplant.
Lindcurt
on Jun 17, 2015
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Yes to the shutters, NO to painting the brick. I would go to the paint store & get a pamphlet with paint colors, bring it home & look at them against the brick. I would also paint the panels of the garage door, maybe the same as the front door. Hope this helps. Blessings
Sandi Ragland
on Jun 19, 2015
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Your home is beautiful! Love the suggestion of egg plant for door. A shade complimenting the brick may make you love the brick as is. Shutters: "Experts" say be sure any shutters appear functional. Wonder about the very white garage doors. Perhaps go a shade or two deeper and richer? Also, shrubs in front of windows in the brick look a bit leggy. Maybe relocate and plant something lower? My 2 cents.
Elaine Postley
on Aug 29, 2015
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Yes to the shutters; no to painting the brick. Paint garage doors and front doors. I'd take the photo of your house to Sherwin Williams, or Lowes; Home Depot and get some suggestions at their paint counter. They have lots of brochures with paint colors and you may find a color you didn't even think of. Good luck!
Espie Tamayo
on Nov 14, 2015
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I agree with Sandi. Go to a paint store or paint department and with the pull a color pamphlet for exterior paint. You would be surprised with the color combinations. Do not paint the brick. Go to a paint store and ask for their color fan. They charge $10-20 but the fans will be invaluable. Once you have the fan, take it yo your bricks and pick matching colors to your bricks. This can also be your color palette. I did the same with my front for color. basically you have 3 sections to your home front side. Entrance, garage and 2nd story. A color palette can be used in all three or just 2. Also if there is an art school near you, request student inputs on your color choices.
Stephanie corley
on Sep 22, 2016
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