-Consider the components of the exterior of your house that you can’t really change that much- stuff like your roof and any brick or stonework. These are generally permanent, or really hard to change. Coordinate your wall and trim colors so that they’ll complement, not compete with these items. Use the color of your roof/brick/stone to guide your color choice, pick a color that’s in the same color family.

-Think about your landscaping, as well as the neighborhood you’re living in. If you have a lush, tropical yard you may want a more subdued color. Also, take a look at the houses around yours. Choose a color that will look nice next to your neighbor’s house. Some communities even have rules about the color that a house can be painted.

-The style that the house is built in is also important. A Victorian or other traditional home needs a different color palette than a home built with modern architecture.

-A quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive way to brighten up the exterior of your home is to change the colors of shutters, doors, and trim.

-Remember, the color of your exterior doesn’t necessarily have to match the inside. If your home has historical significance, you may want to keep a color connection between interior and exterior. A lot of people take an “anything goes” attitude when it comes to choosing interior paint colors.

-Color coordinating is a common dilemma. Save money and frustration by going to your local paint store, where you’ll find color palettes that will give you a good frame of reference, and you’ll also find out which colors go well together and which ones don’t. A lot of paint stores offer an online service, that lets you experiment with different colors- all without the mess and hassle.

-When you’ve decided what colors you’re going to use, get a quart of each color and apply a bit so that you can compare them in the environment where they’ll be used. If you have textured siding or stucco, don’t apply a large sample because it will show through when the wall is painted with its final color. Paint will seep into the porous surface, making the coating uneven. Apply a patch to a piece of scrap wood and hold it up next to the trim to compare the colors.

You should definitely choose your colors before you hire your painter. Many homeowners rush into painting their home, and end up with a color that they don’t really like. Planning is everything, and it will definitely cut down on the amount of stress you go through.