When we think about the exterior colors for our home – the mind tends to gravitate towards the most notable aspect of home exteriors. The shingles, the siding, the trim, and the front door come to mind. We think it’s time to make your mailbox an accent piece, or play around with fun fence stain colors.
There are many not-so-obvious opportunities to add exterior color details to help your home look its most expressive and best! It’s time to add some delightful color inspiration in the form of accent colors to your home’s exterior!
In this article, we are going to cover some of the best places to add some unexpected color details that will leave you smiling.
Color Opportunities in New Places
Gen Z and millennials like to make statements with their color choices, and rightly so, want to be expressive with their spaces. Truthfully though, I share these color tips for anyone of any age to be inspired!
As I had suggested earlier, some places may not be the most obvious area to add color, but these less-than-obvious exterior spaces such as the fence, mailbox, trees and landscaping are great places to express yourself!
Don’t Feel “Fenced In” by the Same Old Options
So, you’ve just installed a new fence, and the wood is just beautiful – the vigor and sheen of the freshly cut cedar, cypress, or redwood is glowing in the sunlight. It’s simply perfect the way it is.
Well, unfortunately, the outdoor environment is less than forgiving and wood fences must be treated as to not suffer greatly from rain, snow, sun, mold, dirt and whatever else can be thrown at it.
Fence Stain Colors
Luckily, fence stain colors are available in all sorts of varieties to match your tastes. Wood stain is best for textured fence woods that have a desirable look to the grain.
Paint would not be advisable for that type of wood, as it would require more priming, coats and maintenance to get it to a uniform tone of color.
Modern fence stain colors can range from clear to dark, and all of these stains will work with your fence’s natural wood tones to bring out more life and color from the natural lumber. If you want the neutral wood color of your fence to pop, staining is the best option.
Fence Paint Colors
It’s 2020, and we no longer just have to paint our exterior fences the same shade of white to match our neighbor’s fence (unless there’s some color ordinance in an association).
Yes, color variety is the spice of life, and you shouldn’t feel that you must paint your fence white because generations before you have. White is admittedly a time-tested and beautiful color for traditionalist residential fences, but it’s not the only option you have.
In recent years, modern homes have opted for blue or black painted fences and the results are stunning. If you’re the type of person that loves making a statement, a light yellow is another color that can be a friendly and inviting option for a fence color.
As you can see in the photo above, even a subtle on your fence color will make a big difference. In the case of the fence in the photo, the soft lavender color allows the yellow and white flowers to really stand out more than ever!
It’s best to match the tone and style of your home’s colors with your fence, but don’t feel limited in your options. Consult with a color expert for the best recommendations based on your tastes.
You may have heard the generalized rule that you should stain wood that is horizontal (underfoot) and paint wood that is vertical. This may not always be the case, but it does make sense to keep painted wood out of high-traffic areas to avoid discoloration and general wear and tear.
Your new wood fence is a great place to add color, make it a color that outlines your property perfectly and makes your heart sing!
Mailbox Colors – Fun with Functional Elements
If you have a curbside mailbox at your home, there’s an opportunity to add some accent color to the overall color scheme of your home.
Believe it or not, the USPS does have some minor color requirements, but these are mostly to ensure that the color of the mailbox does not match the color of the carrier flag and that the flag is visible for the mail servicemen and women.
The color of the mailbox itself is entirely up to you. Instead of going with a matte black metal or a generic gray, you could go with polished nickel or even a brilliant red or lime green!
The size of the household mailbox is small but as an accent color, it can have a BIG impact.
Your house number is an opportunity to create some color synergy with your mailbox! Try picking colors that match or work together to create some color chemistry.
Either way, mailbox colors don’t need to be boring by any means, use the element to your design advantage!
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Trees, Plants and Decorations, Oh My!
Just as plants & greenery can bring color-inspiration, comfort and appreciation for nature into the home, arranging different trees, plants and even seasonal decorations can help add color detail to the exterior of your home. You can see in the photo, that the black eyed susans and white daisies, in a brilliant yellow and black and white, add strong colors to the exterior of this home.
Larger and more ornate trees and plants may be a long term investment but they add a priceless element of natural color and beauty to your home’s exterior. An example may be a cherry blossom tree in the spring, adding beautiful pink, white and green hues to contrast against your New England colonial.
Or, a palm accenting your ocean-inspired pastel color choices on the gulf in the late summer. Trees and other large flora are excellent places to add accent colors to your property.
Not all plant and decorative elements need to be large and cost-heavy. An easy place to add some color detail to your home’s exterior is colorful ceramic glazed or painted plant pots!
A simple decorative choice is selecting some plant pots that work in conjunction with your exterior color choices and maybe even add some additional color flare!
A new wreath for fall, laced with orange and yellow harvest hues would look amazing and bring seasonal style to the home.
The Unexpected Brings Awesome Inspiration!
A fresh paint job of your window shutters, new fence stain colors or even a mint-green rocking chair on your enclosed patio can all make a huge difference in the aesthetic of your home.
Color inspiration is in endless supply when you look in some unexpected places!
Still struggling to identify where and how to add some color to your home’s exterior and/or interior?
To learn more about exterior color and design choices, please get in touch. I’d be happy to set up an online paint color consultation to help you choose the best options for your home.
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I love the idea of unexpected color on mailboxes or fences – they are an important part of the whole picture! As are the colors of landscape elements and plants! Great ideas, Amy!
Thanks Janet, every color palette offers several opportunities to make it personal, I am so glad you enjoyed these unique ideas!
Great ideas, especially mailboxes!!
Thanks Christie, It’s fun to add color in new places!
A little color can go a long way on exteriors to give it that pop. Great to read about the exterior stain usage. The best color is that found in nature, and I adore the bright plant pots idea!
Thanks Denise, I hope you are inspired to add color to your own home!
yes, Amy, adding colors to our exteriors is for all generations, especially when it comes to not so permanent elements as mailboxes and pots.
what great perspective as always on exterior color options to give a joyful visual outside our spaces even in fence stains.
Thanks Mitzi, I am so glad you enjoyed my blog post. It’s fun to try color in new places, giving a home that personal touch!
Wonderful ideas. So much fun to be had with unexpected colors outside!!
I too love the idea of unexpected colour. I’ve been taking my time with our new flower gardens (since we had them designed and created this year) and will spend more time on the exterior of our home next spring. Over the winter, I’ll be working on my plan and having unexpected colour, after reading your blog, is something I will make sure I do!
Thanks Sheri, I am thrilled that you are inspired by the blog post, I look forward to seeing photos of your projects once you are working on them next year!
I am all for unexpected colors on mailboxes and fences. I always have fun reading your posts and following you on social media. So delightful!
Sincerest thanks Robin, I am so glad you are enjoying my blog and social media posts! I certainly try to keep them interesting 🙂
I love the mailbox Idea. My grandparents lived in a neighborhood where every house had a creative mailbox. From birdbath themes, to wooden carving housing. Definitely an underrated paint location!
Grant – Do you need a painter?