Identifying Undertones in Exterior Paint Colors

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If you’re planning to paint the exterior of your home, you can’t just pick a random color out of a fan deck –  you need to know about the ever-present undertones in exterior paint colors, so you can make a good design decision.

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After all, your home consists of more than just the surfaces you’re probably going to paint.  Let’s say you’re wanting to paint your house’s siding (stucco or wood) and trim (fascia, soffits, and doors and windows).  These are all visually connected to other elements on your house.  The roof, the color of the mullions on your vinyl windows, and any decorative accents such as brick or stone will all be seen right next to your house’s main body color (and trim color), and can’t be ignored. Therefore, your exterior paint color needs to coordinate with all these elements!  (This is one of the 4 main points in our post about picking exterior paint colors, which goes into this more thoroughly.)  Becoming familiar with the undertones in any paint colors you’re considering, and getting comfortable with identifying them, will help you make the right choice for a beautiful home.