You’ll be amazed at how much the right color combo boosts your curb appeal
When homeowners pick a paint color for the outside of their abode, they often overlook one important element: their roof. Though it’s easy to forget, roof color plays an enormous role in a property’s overall palate, which can end in clashing colors if you’re not thoughtful about your choice.
The best way to create a harmonious display is to work with what you have. The following siding and roof color combinations will help you find a perfect fit for whatever you already have in place—and give you some inspiration if you’ve already budgeted to do a complete overhaul.
Though white and gray are basic on their own, the two together are a sight to behold. Plus, there are so many variations within this classic duo. You could try bright white and dark gray, off-white and light gray, and even white siding with a tint of gray undertones to highlight your shingles further.
If you dream of a small cabin tucked in the woods, this combo will give your property this vibe no matter where in the world it might be. Choose muted yet vibrant reds like scarlet and cherry, and consider adding touches of exterior trim paint colors like green or blue to bring balance and little pops of color to your home.
While a light-colored roof may not be ideal for colder climates—or anywhere heavy rain or snowfall may leave noticeable stains—consider it if you live where the sun shines year-round. Try pairing your cream-colored shingles with moss or mint green siding. The two go together like two scoops of ice cream and give your cozy corner of the world the refreshing vibe of a desert hideaway.
A good rule of thumb: If one element of your home is dark, choose a light color for another feature to counterbalance it. In this case, wine-dark blue siding steps into the spotlight with the help of light, subdued, gray shingles. As a bonus, a dark shade like navy eliminates the need for tricky procedures like sandblasting to remove paint already there—you can just paint over it.
This is another great example of the dark-to-light rule. If your roof is dark, like black or deep gray, pairing it with aqua-blue siding will help your home jump out of the background. Plus, a black roof will do wonders at trapping heat for your home when colder weather starts.
Much like gray and white, black and white always look good together, especially on a home’s exterior. For the best results, choose a white with few to no undertones to make the most of the contrast between these two shades. You can still add vibrant hues, albeit to a lesser degree, through your soffit and fascia color combinations.
Have a classic red brick home that you wouldn’t dream of changing but aren’t a fan of the current color palette on display? Change the hue of your roof to a deep, dark brown like chestnut or oak-colored shingles. These browns have hints of red that will highlight your majestic masonry.
Stone siding is another feature you may not be willing to paint over, but it goes with many colors. In particular, a dark gray roof will give a not-so-subtle nod to the shade of your masonry without overpowering its natural beauty.
If you already have tan siding in place—or stucco with a tan stain—and you’re at a loss for what to pair it with, it’s hard to go wrong with a cedar roof. This cross between brown and red will make a bland shade like tan look like the peak of luxury.
A home with dark wood siding—or that appears that way with painted vinyl siding—will benefit greatly from the addition of rich, jewel-toned shingles. Consider paint colors like emerald and, if that’s too flashy for you, forest green instead to get the same appeal in a more toned-down way.
If you don’t mind stepping outside the box, a color combination like this one will make your home the one all your neighbors can’t stop talking about (in a good way!). With its subtle blue undertones, slate siding is the perfect pairing to subdue vibrant, burnt orange shingles.
Painting your siding yellow is the fastest way to make your abode brighter and more inviting, but the shade can quickly become too much if paired with the wrong color. A light, gray roof will ensure that doesn’t happen and give your home the spirit of a glorious, partly cloudy day.
