Cottage Exterior Paint Color Schemes
Nestled in lush greenery with climbing vines and flower boxes adorning weathered wood siding, the charming cottage beckons with its whimsical exterior paint colors. From pale pastels to bold primaries, the options for exterior cottage paint colors are endless. Choosing the perfect palette can be an exciting creative endeavor to refresh your home's curb appeal.
When selecting exterior paint colors for a cottage, it's helpful to consider the style and surroundings. Cottage homes often have a playful, relaxed aesthetic that allows for more freedom. While a stately brick manor may require subdued grays or neutrals, a quaint cottage in the countryside can handle brighter, cheerier hues. The goal is to complement the home's unique architecture and natural landscape.
Popular Exterior Cottage Paint Color Trends
While personal preference always rules, some tried-and-true shade trends lend themselves well to cottage exteriors.
Soft Pastels
Delicate pastel shades like mint, lavender, or peach instantly evoke images of garden cottages. These sweet hues add a touch of femininity and old-world charm. Pastels also give the illusion of added space, making small cottages appear larger. Softer colors work well for siding, with bolder accents on the door and trim.
Neutral Grays & Tans
For a more modern cottage look, consider neutral grays or tans like Revere Pewter or Accessible Beige. These flexible shades don't distract from the home's architecture and seamlessly blend into natural surroundings. Go for a lighter neutral on the siding with a bold navy or black front door for striking contrast.
Vibrant Accent Colors
While keeping the main siding a neutral hue, don't be afraid to add a pop of color on the front door, shutters, or window boxes. Bright corals, cobalt blues, cherry red and golden yellow provide a fun, playful accent. Green shades like Sagebrush also work nicely to compliment surrounding foliage.
Choosing Cottage Exterior Paint Colors
When deciding on exterior paint colors for your cottage, here are some helpful tips to get the look just right:
Consider the Roof & Trim
Choose siding colors that complement existing rooflines and trim. For example, opt for lighter neutrals if you have a dark roof or darker siding colors if your trim is white. Avoid matching similar shades too closely.
Take Note of Surroundings
Observe how the light hits your home at different times of day. Cooler north-facing sides can handle deeper hues while warmer southern exposures may require lighter shades. Also look at nearby foliage, stonework, and neighboring buildings. Using inspired colors from your landscape ties everything together.
Mind the Size & Scale
Bigger homes can handle bold, saturated shades while smaller cottages look best with softer muted colors. Darker colors also make spaces appear smaller. For large cottages, create contrast with light and dark tones. For small cottages use all light colors.
Don't Forget the Front Door
Even if you choose neutral siding, color your front door a bright complementary hue. Red, yellow, green and blue doors become a focal point. Use surrounding colors to inspire your door shade.
Add Contrasting Accents
Try painting exterior window boxes, shutters, rails, and trim in a contrasting color. Black, navy or white accents make colors like gray, brown, and green pop.
Popular Cottage Exterior Color Scheme Ideas
All White Cottage
White exterior paint is a classic choice for cottages. It provides a clean, timeless look and brightens small dark spaces. Add black shutters and trim for contrast and define details.
Sage Green and White
For an earthy organic look, pair soft sage green siding with crisp white accents on windows, rails and trim. The green ties in with surrounding plants and trees.
Robin's Egg Blue with White
A light pastel blue like Benjamin Moore's Plymouth Blue is perfect for a cottage facade. Contrast with white trim, railing, windows and black shutters for a fresh coastal appeal.
Pale Yellow and Navy Blue
Buttery yellow evokes sunshine and cheer. Navy blue doors, shutters and accents pop against the yellow background. Gray roof shingles tie the scheme together.
Red Brick and Tan
For an English countryside cottage, opt for traditional red brick on the front facade with neutral tan siding on the sides and back. Add bright white trim and dark green shutters.
Preparing and Painting the Cottage Exterior
Once you've selected the perfect exterior paint colors for your cottage, proper prep and application are key to achieving long-lasting results. Here are some best practices when painting the exterior:
Repair and Replace
Inspect all surfaces and repair cracks, holes, rotted wood and other damage. Replace severely worn siding and trim pieces. Proper prep prevents future issues.
Wash and Degrease
Use an exterior cleaning solution and power washer to remove dirt, mildew and chalky paint residues from existing surfaces. Let the facade dry completely before priming and painting.
Scuff Glossy Surfaces
For surfaces with glossy enamel paint, scuff them up with sandpaper to degloss and ensure proper adhesion. Focus on any trimmed areas.
Caulk Gaps
Seal all seams, joints, windows and doors with exterior-grade caulk. This provides a smoother finished surface.
Prime Bare Wood
On new wood that's never been painted, apply an oil-based wood primer. For repaints, spot prime patched areas only.
Use Quality Exterior Paints
Invest in exterior-grade acrylic latex paint. Look for mildew-resistant formulas. Flat finishes hide imperfections while semi-gloss makes trim pop.
Follow manufacturer instructions for dry time between coats. Cool, humid conditions require longer dry times. Rushing can ruin that fresh paint job.
Your home will go from drab to Fab with a well-executed exterior paint job. That welcoming facade nestled in the countryside will become a sweet retreat you love coming home to.