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Color Harmony: How to Choose Exterior House Colors

Color Harmony: How to Choose Exterior House Colors

Color not only affects the way you think, act and feel, it can add value and substantial personality to your house. So, even though making decisions about which colors to use for your siding and trim feels overwhelming now, it’s all going to pay off in the end. 

So, how do you use color to differentiate your house? The following guide lays out some of the basic principles of color theory, answers our customers’ most frequently asked questions, and shares some tricks from the pros.

The Color Wheel

Understanding the basics is essential to choosing colors, so here’s a little Color Theory 101. Divided in 12 sections, the color wheel is a great tool for finding color combinations that are balanced and pleasing to the eye. Here are the most effective and frequently used color harmonies on the color wheel:

Analogous colors are colors right next to each other on the color wheel. Most commonly used in a combination of three on a house’s exterior, they work well together when you want to limit contrast and create a calm, serene color scheme. 

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. They involve two colors, such as red and green. Together, they generate the most contrast, especially when used in their purest, most vibrant form.

A triad is when you select a color and instead of using its complement, you use the two colors on either side of the complementary color, resulting in a three-color combination with low contrast.

Tip: Keep in mind that not all colors should be used in equal amounts; one color should take the leading role, with the others playing a supporting role.

Warm vs. Cool Colors

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Tip: If you're afraid of making a color mistake, use a variation of your existing color. The carefully curated James Hardie ColorPlus® Technology color palette is an easy starting point—browse the gorgeous options now.
Colors are separated into warm and cool tones, based on their position within the color spectrum. Reds, yellows and oranges make up the warm side of the spectrum, whereas blues, purples and greens are cooler tones.

Warm colors evoke excitement. When juxtaposed with their cooler counterparts, warm colors appear larger, more prominent and easier to view.

Cool colors are relaxing and calming. Cooler tones are used more often in northern areas of the country, while warmer colors are more prominent in the south.

Commonly Asked Questions

If your home has no natural way to divide colors, don't force it. Go for a less complex color combination. For inspiration for your home browse the James Hardie ColorPlus® Technology color palette
How many colors should I use on my home?
The number of colors used in an exterior color scheme depends on the home and how many details there are to highlight. Typically, traditional homes have three colors: body, trim and accent.
 
Newer architectural styles (and occasionally larger houses) can benefit from more than three colors. By adding a second body or trim color, you can make your home more visually appealing. These additional colors should be close to each other on the color wheel, with a slight change in value.

If your home has no natural way to divide colors, don't force it. Go for a less complex color combination.

Tip: Don’t forget your roof. If it’s in good shape and you like it, then make sure the color of your siding goes with it. If you plan on replacing it soon, then don’t worry too much; choose colors you love, and your roof will follow suit.
 
Should my trim be a lighter or darker color than the body of my home?
Lighter trim colors are usually the best choice, since the eye goes to the lightest color in a combination first and, in most cases, you are using trim to emphasize your house’s most interesting architectural features. (This technique of guiding the eye from light to dark was often employed on Victorian houses, making one color look like a shadow of the other.) Keep in mind that not all trim has to be the same color.

If you have horizontal or vertical banding, you may want to choose it in a different color than the trim surrounding your windows. You may also want your soffits and eaves to be a different color than your window trim. See our photo showcase for inspiration.

Will a dark body color make my home look smaller?
A house looks smaller as a result of strong contrast in colors or using light and dark colors together. This is not always a bad thing and can actually enhance design.

If you like deeper colors and don’t want your house to look smaller, then don't use white trim; instead use a mid-tone-color trim to make the main color look brighter.
 

What if I don’t want to use color—am I being too boring?
As much as color can add to a house, sometimes it looks best not to use any at all. Don't be afraid to have an all-white house. White reflects light and will actually appear to vary in tone throughout the day. Plus, you can always play with the color of your door and other visual elements such as landscaping or porch furniture that come together to create the overall look.

Should my garage door be the same color as my front door or trim?
In most cases, no! It only draws attention to the least attractive part of your home. Also, an accent color can throw off your house’s balance, making the garage look larger than it actually is. To help it blend in, select colors that are either the same as the body color, or slightly lighter or darker.

Tricks of the Trade

  • Use a lighter trim color to draw attention to the trim
  • Use a soft contrast between body and trim colors to make your home appear larger
  • Use deeper body colors for a warm, cozy feeling
  • Look for colors that align with your neighborhood or environment
  • Use a third color for special details that you want to highlight
  • Switch up body colors in horizontal bands, not vertical stripes.