Painting your house exterior enhances the curb appeal making your house look brand new. However, you might have limited color choices when your home is small. Choosing light colors works best for making the tiny house look visually larger. This post provides valuable tips on selecting the best siding colors for a small house. We have you covered if you need help deciding which color to choose.
What is the most welcoming siding color for a small house?
Opt for light colors when choosing the best siding color for a small house. They have a higher light reflectance value, meaning they reflect the color at a higher rate than dark ones. Therefore your home will look visually larger. Off-white is the most popular choice for house exteriors. However, you can stick with more vibrant options like yellow, sage green, and blue. Your final choice depends on your architectural style and taste. While dark colors look modern and sophisticated, they make your house appear smaller.
Light colors bring another benefit for homeowners. The light color deters the sun’s rays, so it will keep your house cool during the hot summer months.
If you’re choosing a color that makes you happy, you can select any vivid color. However, painting a house exterior to increase resale value is different. If you plan to sell your home soon, it would be best to choose the color carefully. Go for colors that appeal to any taste, such as off-white and light gray. Also, you are advised to stick with no more than three colors for the house exterior, including the siding, trim, and door.
Another thing that dictates the color choice is the municipality rules. Make sure to contact your local municipality to find out if there are any rules regarding the house exterior before changing the color.
Tan
Tan is the best color siding for a small house if you like neutrals. This color feels natural without standing out too much, blending with the surrounding. It is a classic neutral that flatters many different architectural styles. In addition, you have plenty of freedom to experiment with the accents. Dark green shutters would stand out nicely, while brown helps create a natural color scheme.
Off white
If you’re looking for a timeless classic, be sure that off-white never goes out of fashion. Off-white refers to warm white tones that look cozy and light at the same time. An off-white house perfectly complements other warm colors for accents and natural finishes such as stone or wood. However, there is one professional rule to follow. Designers would advise you to avoid using off-white next to cool white accents. Cool white has a blue undertone, which makes the yellow undertone in off-white look more prominent. Therefore an off-white house with crisp white trim will look yellowish.
Off-white is a versatile color choice that suits different tastes. If you plan to sell your property, choose neutral and subtle options. The goal is to provide a plain space where the potential homeowner can envision their life. In addition, they want to have the chance to add their signature note to their new home. Therefore, off-white would be the safest option for those planning to sell their house.
Beige
Beige is an ideal choice if you’re going for the organic vibe. Its natural appeal and warmth make it suitable for small house siding in both modern and traditional homes. If you wish to create a neutral color scheme, pair it with tan and brown.
Taupe
Taupe combines light gray and beige with more prominent cool undertones. It is a gorgeous neutral that doesn’t feel too warm. It works nicely with a gray roof and crisp white trim. Alternatively, you can pair it with red or brown accents. It is a versatile option that suits various tastes and styles.
Light blue
If you’re a fan of colors but want to keep things subtle, go for light blue. The calming tone feels bright enough to make your house appear larger while having that generous dose of charm. A gray roof and crisp white trim create a serene exterior.
Light green
Light green is another choice that deserves to find its place on this list. It is the best siding color for a small house that blends with nature. The green color achieves visual continuity with the surrounding while tricking the eye.
Light gray
A light gray siding looks modern and sophisticated. Pairing with darker tones for h accents creates a depth of interest while keeping the monochrome color scheme. Popular paint brands like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have many light gray tones. However, you might feel overwhelmed when browsing since they tend to look similar.
When looking for the right color for your exterior, check the LRV or light reflectance value. This number indicates how light a color truly is. The LRV refers to the amount of light the color repels, expressed on a scale from 0 to 100. The closer the color is to 100, the lighter it is, and vice versa. When comparing two colors, compare their LRV to find out which is lighter.
If you’re looking for the perfect light gray, check light french Gray and Modern gray. Other possible options are Agreeable Gray and Passive Gray. While these colors look the same, they have a slight difference in terms of warmth. Some tend to be warm, while others have a cool undertone.
Light yellow
A pale yellow is an excellent choice for a small house. While the bright yellows appear too vivid, a calm tone looks more natural. Therefore it is a perfect choice if you wish to experiment with the accents. A g deep green door and crisp white trim would ideally suit a light yellow house.
How to choose the siding color
We have already explained the options for the best siding color for small houses. However, we must define a few more things to make everything easier for you.
Once you have chosen a few colors to your liking, sample them. Buying paint without sampling isn’t recommended. Don’t forget that the color won’t look the same under different light conditions. The stores have artificial lighting, so your chosen color might appear lighter or with a distinct undertone than the one you’re looking for. Therefore you might be surprised that the house siding doesn’t look the same.
Keep in mind that the amount of sunlight will dictate how the color looks on your house. If your home is in the shade, the color appears slightly darker. On the other hand, the siding paint will look lighter if your house is under direct sunlight. And, of course, let’s not forget how the sun’s positioning changes the undertone. The color will have more prominent warm undertones if the siding faces south.
Another important thing I want to pinpoint is how the combination of colors impacts the final look. Looking at one color individually isn’t the same as placing it next to other colors. And this is especially important if you’re shopping for whites. White paints come with a cool or warm undertone, depending on the effect you wish to achieve. Warm whites are more associated with traditional and rustic styles, while cool whites ideally suit modern houses.
Let’s say you’ve found your favorite warm white. You are happy with your choice and proceed to paint the siding without testing it first. As soon as you complete a few strokes with the brush, you notice how the creamy color you chose now looks yellow. How can this happen? Blame the trim painted in a cool white for that. The clashing undertone brings out the yellow tone that gives the white its creamy look. The blue undertone is cool, and the whites contrast the yellow, so this color will appear more prominent. I learned this professional trick when trying to find the perfect color for my siding when nothing worked to achieve the desired look.
Since different factors will determine the final look, it is better to sample your chosen color for your specific situation. And you aren’t required to paint patches to see how the paint looks on your siding. Check your store to see if they offer paper samples of your chosen brand. These are quite a convent and help you find the right paint for your siding. The papers are self-adhesive and can be easily stuck to the siding. Pick a few different paints and see how they look on your siding at various times. Remember that this is the best way to assess whether a siding color works for your home.
