Choosing the right exterior colour scheme for your home is both an exciting and practical decision – one that plays a vital role in setting first impressions and protecting your property against the elements.
In Ireland, where we experience frequent rainfall, high humidity, and fluctuating temperatures throughout the year, it’s essential to select exterior weather paint that is not only visually appealing but also built to withstand our unique climate. From misty mornings on the coast to harsh winter winds inland, the Irish environment demands durable, breathable paints and a considered approach to colour.
That’s why we’ve collaborated with our expert colour consultants to bring you a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect outdoor paint combinations for your exterior project. Whether you’re refreshing a country cottage, modernising a city townhouse, or planning a full façade transformation, our consultants share their favourite weatherproof paint palettes, timeless combinations, and practical tips to help you achieve a long-lasting, beautiful finish that performs just as well as it looks.
Take your surroundings into consideration, is there a lot of greenery around your house? do you live close by a neighbour who has a specific colour scheme? or do you have brickwork, wood panels or fencing that you may want to pull a colour/ tone from. Choosing a complimentary colour to these features can be a great way to create continuity through your exterior colour scheme.
When choosing a scheme do you want to have a contrast with your colours? You may choose to do the main walls in a lighter colour & choose a complimentary darker tone for the plinth & windowsills or vice versa choose a darker tone for the main walls and lighter for the plinth & windowsills.
Can you change your main door colour? If so, The Front door can be a great way to add a vibrant or rich pop of colour to your exterior colour scheme!
Although there is no exact rule of thumb for how many colours can be used, I would recommend 3 / 4 at most to create your scheme, this could be through Main walls, Windowsills, Window reveals, Window frames or Doors.
Most importantly your colour scheme should reflect your colour style & preferences that you’ll be happy to come home day after day.
If you want to embrace the gorgeous greenery surrounding your house. “Ha’penny white “by Colourtrend, A Cool, flat white with a taupe tone which in some lights can offer a slight green undertone, can offer a soft neutral palette for your home. Paired with “Standing Tall” by Colourtrend, a Saturated grey with sage undertones which gives a natural hint of colour to your exterior scheme. If you’re looking for a pop of colour on the front door add “Raglan Road “also by Colourtrend which offers a Rich, Deep purple with brown undertones to compliment and complete your scheme.
Whether you are choosing for a modern new build, a terraced house or perhaps the façade of your business – colour will enhance your kerb appeal.
For a modern new build with deep coloured window frames, using a brilliant white on the exterior can give a sharp contrast to the deeper windows. By softening the tone to perhaps Arctic Blonde by Colourtrend or Wevet No.273 by Farrow & Ball, you get your clean modern white without it having a harsh appearance.
A terraced house could be a soft inviting green like Levrett from Colourtrend with Foxmount, a burnt orange on the front door. Or you could choose a bolder choice, perhaps Source from Colourtrend paired with Pink Chocolate for the front door. If you have a red bricked, or stone house your front door is the place to introduce colour. For red brick houses, deep greens and blues will always sit well. Consider options like Basalt no.221 from Little Greene, Sweet Caper from Colourtrend or Quarter To from Curator as excellent starting points.
The colour chosen for the Façade of your business can enhance your brand and give identity when surrounded by others looking for customer attention. By using a complementary colour to your signage colour, it will make your branding pop. By using an analogous colour, you make your ‘pop’ more subtle. The psychology of colour can be an excellent tool when it comes to commercial properties.
For me personally, exterior colour should embrace your personality – never choose a colour that’s ‘On Trend’, choose a colour that appeals to you and then have fun finding the right shade of that colour.
Finding the perfect exterior colour scheme can feel like a challenge, especially when you're trying to balance personal style with the practical demands of the Irish climate. If you're feeling stuck or unsure where to start, our in-store Colour Consultants are here to guide you. With expert advice, product know-how, and an eye for timeless combinations, we’ll help bring your vision to life. Whether it's a full home transformation or a simple front door refresh, book a one-on-one consultation and take the guesswork out of your exterior project.
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