If it is time to spruce up the paint job on your home, you should be careful in selecting the colors you use. Everyone has seen a house that was painted an unusual color. Many times we ask ourselves, “Why in the world did they paint that house that color?” You don’t want your house to be the one they are referring to.

When choosing new exterior paint colors for your home, you should be aware of four basic types of color schemes. Monochromatic is the term used when you use one color, but use a variety of different shades. Monochromatic schemes are sophisticated and subtle. They work very well in neighborhoods where bold colors are not welcome.

Complementary exterior paint combinations involve colors that are opposite on the color wheel. For example, a home with a base color of cream might have trim in purple. These types of color schemes contrast with each other to present a home that is full of life and energy.

If you have a great deal of exterior home painting experience, you might consider a triadic color scheme. In this instance, three colors are used. For best results these colors are the same distance apart on the color wheel. It takes an experienced eye and careful planning to ensure that the colors are not too overbearing.

Adjacent color schemes are exactly what they sound like. The color pallette is selected by choosing colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Generally two to three colors are used in adjacent color schemes. Typically, you will choose one color to be the base and the others are used as accents.

Choosing exterior paint colors for your home may be daunting. It doesn’t have to be, especially if you use one of the four basic color schemes to get started. With just a little time and preparation, you can create a home that is worthy of being seen in Better Homes and Gardens.