Look at the Big Picture

• Define your needs. The color you choose if you plan on selling your house may be different than the one you'd choose if you plan on staying for many years. Prospective buyers may be charmed by a deep red door, but they won't be so charmed if all of the trim on your house is cherry red. For better curb appeal, choose neutral colors.
  
  Consider your surroundings. Bright, modern colors may be suitable for urban settings, while country homes often look better in muted earth tones. Also consider the architectural style of your house. Plantation-style colonial homes, with their columns and shutters, are typically painted in classical colors like white, gray and taupe. A modern Southwestern adobe home can look fantastic in bright pastel shades like sun-washed pink and blue.
  
  Homes in suburban subdivisions are best kept fairly understated if you want to remain on speaking terms with your neighbors. Look around your neighborhood and take note of what you find appealing.
  
  

Add Detail

• Let your creativity and sense of fun shine in the details. Even if you're constrained to neutral colors, make your front door a welcoming focal point with a rich color. Red doors are classic, but celery green, sky blue or vivid plum can add whimsy. If you have floral plantings, try matching the door color to the blooms.
  
  Window trim, gutters and fascia define architectural details and outline the shape of your house. To accentuate attractive or interesting detail, use a high-contrasting color. For instance, if your home is taupe, use a dark complementary brown for the trim. For a more subtle look, paint the trim just a shade or two away from the main color.
  
  Features like porch railings, wrought-iron accents or the front steps can be painted a third accent color. If your home is an ornate Victorian with intricate scroll work and wood detail, you have virtually no limit on color choices.
  
  

Practical Considerations

• Take into account the color of your roof. While most are neutral grays and tans, roofs come in many materials and colors, like green composition tile or red clay tile. Beware of using a pink-toned beige or orange tones with a green roof.
  
  Color can affect the longevity of your paint and even the integrity of your siding. Dark colors will make the underlying surface very hot in the sun. Not only will heated paint fail sooner, vinyl and aluminum siding can be stressed and warped by the extreme surface temperature changes.
  
  In hot climates, choosing lighter colors will keep your house from absorbing the heat, thus keeping energy bills down. Conversely, in a cold, sunny climate, dark colors may lower bills by absorbing the heat.