Provided by:
Most houses use at least three different colors: one for the siding, and two or more for trim and accents such as doors, railings, and window sashes. Darker colors are great for accenting recess spaces and window sashes. Lighter colors will highlight details that project from the wall's surface.
You may think that you only had to pick colors. Sorry, in addition, you'll also have to decide on the sheen of your paint. Glossy, semi or soft gloss, or flat. Many opt to use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes as glossy surfaces are easy to clean.
A well-chosen selection of contrasting trim and accent colors can draw attention to architectural details and disguise design flaws. A poor selection can make a house seem flat and featureless -- or so garish that the color overwhelms the architecture.
Choose colors that coordinate with buildings around you. The colors you've used for interior room may suggest ideas for colors outside your house. Depending on the size and complexity of your home, you may be choosing two, three or as many as six colors. In addition to the color you select for siding, you'll want to select accent colors for trim and details such as shutters, moldings and columns. This can be tricky, because too many colors will overwhelm your house and too few will make it seem two dimensional. The color of your furnishings will guide you in the selection of your interior paint colors, and your interior paint colors will influence the colors you use outside.
Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. That's why lighter colors last longer and fade less than dark colors. And because dark colors fade faster, they are more difficult to touch up.
If you're painting an older home, you may want to select colors from a historic color chart. Or you can try to find out what colors were used on your house originally.
Click here for more information about paint