Tan House Exterior Color Schemes That Complement and Enhance

Choosing exterior paint colors for a tan house can be a fun yet challenging endeavor for homeowners. The right color scheme can highlight a home's best features, add visual interest, and even increase curb appeal and resale value. When it comes to tan houses specifically, the neutral tan hue provides a versatile base for selecting complementary colors that will really make your home stand out.

We'll look at factors to consider when picking colors, go over common mistakes to avoid, and provide tips for hiring a pro or taking a DIY approach. With a thoughtful, cohesive scheme, you can transform the exterior of your tan house into a welcoming showcase.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Tan House Exterior Color Schemes

There are several key factors to keep in mind when selecting exterior colors for a tan house:

• Architectural Style: Color choices should complement the home's architectural style. For example, craftsman bungalows look great with earthy tones like sage green or rust red accents.
• Geographic Location: Consider the typical color palettes used in the area. Avoid stark contrasts with neighboring homes.
• Direction House Faces: North-facing houses need warm colors to offset cool light. South-facing homes can get away with cooler tones.
• Landscaping: coordinate colors with plants, trees and hardscaping materials around the house.

Additionally, factor the size of the home, roof color, exterior features like brick or stone, and personal preferences. Drive around neighborhoods with similar style homes to get design inspiration.

Popular Color Schemes for Tan House Exteriors

When paired thoughtfully with tan, virtually any color can look great, but here are some of the most popular schemes:

Neutral Tones

Sticking with neutral tans, beiges, grays, and whites creates a calm, understated look. Vary shades and textures for subtle interest. Crisp white trim pops against tan siding.

Earth Tones

Deep greens, browns, and terra cotta blend seamlessly with tan's natural hue. Sage green shutters and a russet door bring an organic feel.

Bright Accents

Punctuate neutral tan with bold door and shutter colors like cobalt blue, cherry red, or neon yellow. This creates visual contrast and excitement.

Monochromatic

Use a single color palette in varying shades and tones. For example, tan siding, biscuit trim, and sand-colored stone accents. Adds subtle depth.

Analogous

Analogous schemes use hues next to each other on the color wheel, like tan paired with muted yellow shutters and light sage door. Creates a harmonious look.

Complementary

Complementary color pairings provide strong contrast, like tan walls with navy blue shutters and a maroon front door. Makes a vibrant statement.

Combining Tans with Other Colors

Here are some classic color combinations that look great with a tan house exterior:

Tan and White

A timeless pairing, white trim and accents makes tans pop. Looks crisp and clean.

Tan and Brown

Shades of brown from beige to chocolate complement tan's inherent warmth. Feels natural and earthy.

Tan and Green

Sage greens connect tan exteriors to landscaping and offer great versatility. Very soothing combo.

Tan and Blue

From light sky blue to bold navy, blue's cooling tones contrast nicely with tan's warmth. Adds vibrant personality.

Tan and Red

Red doors and shutters lend tan homes classic curb appeal. Terra cotta and brick red work well.

Tan and Yellow

Buttery yellows and golds bring brightness to tan. Mustard yellow doors or lemon shutters create cheery contrast.

Accent Features to Highlight

When painting a tan house, use color to draw the eye to special details:

• Front Door: Paint the door a bold complementary hue.
• Shutters: Colorful shutters frame windows with contrast.
• Trim: White or black trim pops against tan siding.
• Porch Rails: Match railings to the door or shutters.
• Flower Boxes: Vivid colors complement greenery.

Matching the garage door and accenting the home's numbers or kickplate are fun touches too.

Schemes for Specific Tan House Styles

Certain color combinations work especially well with popular tan house styles:

Craftsman

Earth tones like sage green, dark red, and brown complement Craftsman bungalows. Black or white trim and accents add contrast.

Colonial

White or black shutters suit Colonial-style tan homes. Red, blue, and sage green doors inject classic charm.

Farmhouse

Soft blue, minty green, and pale yellow give Farmhouse tan homes a cheery feel. Crisp white trim plays up simplicity.

Mediterranean

Vibrant terra cotta, salmon pink, and cobalt blue reflect the Mediterranean vibe. Wrought iron accents tie together.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

When selecting exterior colors, it helps to recognize potential pitfalls:

• Too Little Contrast: Insufficient color variation looks flat and dull.
• Too Many Colors: Stick to 3 colors max for a cohesive look.
• Forgetting Accent Details: Don't overlook opportunities to add colorful flair.

Also, beware of colors that clash with the roof, landscaping, or neighborhood surroundings. Drive-by the home at different times of day to see colors in varied lighting.

Enhancing Curb Appeal

Beyond paint, improving other exterior features boosts curb appeal:

• Landscaping with flowers, plants and trees with seasonal interest
• Exterior lighting to highlight architectural details
• House numbers and decorative mailbox
• Front walkway using pavers or colored concrete

A freshly sealed driveway, new overhead garage door, and potted plants also lend color, texture and personality.

Maintaining the Exterior

To keep exterior paint looking its best:

• Power wash siding annually to remove grime
• Plan to repaint every 5-7 years
• Watch for faded spots and re-paint as needed
• Seal any cracks and repair weathering damage

Checking for damage after major storms helps prevent costly repairs later. Keep trees and bushes trimmed back from the house.

Hiring a Pro vs DIY

Painting a home's exterior requires significant time and labor. While a DIY approach costs less upfront, pros provide experience, specialized tools, and techniques that improve quality and longevity.

Pros include:

• Knowledge of optimal paints and finishes for surfaces
• Proper equipment for safely reaching high areas
• Efficiency from years of experience painting
• Ability to deliver a consistent, professional-quality finish

Cons include higher costs and scheduling around the pro's availability. Get multiple quotes and check reviews to choose the best value.

Choosing paint schemes for a tan house can be difficult. Focus on choosing colors that complement the architecture, reflect the home's style, and coordinate with surrounding landscape features. Look to neighboring homes for ideas. Drive-by at different times of day to visualize colors in varied lighting. Stick to two or three colors maximum for a coherent look. Accentuate special details like the front door and window shutters with bold hues. And don't forget the finishing touches of exterior lighting, landscaping, house numbers, and front walkway treatments to boost curb appeal. With a thoughtful, well-executed paint scheme, you can transform the exterior of your tan house into an inviting showpiece.