A good exterior colour scheme has three parts: a body colour for the walls, a trim colour for the window frames, fascias and barges, and one accent, usually the front door. It has to suit things you are not repainting, such as the roof, the brick, the paving and the garden. This page walks through choosing each colour, how Auckland's strong light changes them, the limits on dark colours, and how to test before you commit. For what is popular right now, see modern colour trends for Auckland homes.
- Start with what stays. The roof, brick, stone and paving set the base tone.
- Choose the body colour. The largest area, so the safest choice.
- Pick the trim. Usually lighter or darker than the body, never the same.
- Add an accent, then test. A stronger colour on the front door, and large samples on two sides of the house, seen at three times of day.
How do you choose an exterior colour scheme?
Start with the parts of the house that are not being painted: the roof, any brick or stone, the paving and the fences. Choose a body colour that sits well with those, then a trim that contrasts with the body, then one accent for the front door. Look at houses on your street with similar roofs, and test your shortlist on the house itself before you buy.
Warm roofs, such as terracotta tiles or red iron, suit creams, warm whites and taupes. Grey and charcoal roofs suit cooler whites, pale greys and grey-blues. Resene's round-up notes metal roofs in grey shades such as Bokara Grey and Ironsand being paired with white and off-white homes.
Why does a colour look different on the house?
Outdoor light is much stronger than indoor light, so a colour almost always looks lighter and brighter on the house than on a small card. A pale grey can turn almost white in midday sun and blue in shade. Large areas also make colour look stronger. That is why paint makers recommend testing with testpots or large printed swatches outside.
Resene's advice is to try your choices with testpots or A4 drawdown swatches before you buy the paint. Paint samples on a sunny side and a shady side, and look at them in the morning, at midday and in the evening.
What is LRV and why does it matter for dark colours?
Light reflectance value, or LRV, measures how much light a colour reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for white. Paint makers use it to set limits on dark colours on some surfaces, because dark colours absorb heat and can make timber and some cladding move. Resene points out that LRV describes how a colour looks, not how hot it gets.
That is why Resene's CoolColour versions of dark shades can be accepted where a standard dark colour is not: they look the same but reflect more of the sun's heat. Resene recommends care with dark colours on old previously painted timber and in exposed spots. Your painter checks the limit for your surface and product.
Schemes that suit a villa or bungalow
- Cream or warm white body
- Off-white or contrast trims picking out the detail
- Muted green, classic red or deep blue front door
- Traditional palettes, softer than a modern scheme
Schemes that suit a modern home
- White, pale grey or charcoal body
- Black or dark grey window frames
- Natural or black-stained timber
- One or two colours, very little contrast trim
Do you need permission to change the colour of your house?
Usually not, but some Auckland properties have heritage controls or are in special character areas, and changes to the outside of the house can need approval. Auckland Council has an online check for heritage controls on a property. Look your address up before you change the colour scheme of a villa or bungalow.
Can someone help choose the colours?
Yes. Resene runs colour consultations for interior or exterior schemes, either in a ColorShop or as a visit to your house, and offers a free virtual consultation where no consultant is nearby. Your painter can also paint test samples on the house before the job starts, which is the surest way to see a colour in your own light.
FAQs
What exterior colours make a house look expensive?
Calm, simple schemes usually look the most expensive: a warm white, soft grey or deep charcoal body, a crisp contrasting trim, and one strong accent on the door. Too many colours make a house look busy. Good preparation and an even finish matter as much as the colours, because patchy paint looks cheap in any shade.
What colour is not recommended for exterior use?
Very dark colours on old painted timber are the main caution, because they hold heat and can make the timber move and the paint crack. Paint makers set limits by LRV for some surfaces. Very bright colours fade faster in strong sun. Resene's CoolColour versions are an option if you want a dark look.
Should the trim be lighter or darker than the walls?
Either works, as long as there is enough contrast. A light trim on a darker body is the classic look on villas. A dark trim on a light body looks modern. The same colour on walls and trims flattens the house, so most schemes keep at least a step of difference.
What white is best for a house exterior?
It depends on the roof and the light. Warm whites with a touch of cream suit terracotta roofs and brick, and cooler whites suit grey and charcoal roofs. Resene lists Alabaster, Black White, Sea Fog and Villa White among the whites being used outside. Test two or three whites side by side on the house.