How Exterior Sunlight and Shade Affect Exterior Paint Colors

Key Takeaways about exterior paint color matching:

• Exterior paint colors look different in every yard due to the sunlight and shade differences between the two homes.
• If you like a neighbor’s paint color, start with a close shade, paint large color samples and then adjust for the shade/sun in your yard.
• Determine which time of day you like your neighbor’s exterior paint color – If it’s later in the day, you will have to ensure your paint color looks as dark and deep.
• Use a local designer (CertaPro offers this service for free) to drive by your neighbor’s home and then help you come up with a paint color that will look the same in your yard.  It is well worth the time spent to get this right.

Choosing an exterior paint color may seem as simple as asking your neighbor what they used and picking up the same shade. However, lighting conditions, including sunlight exposure, shade from trees, and the orientation of your home, can dramatically alter how an exterior paint color appears. 

Surely, you can use your neighbor’s color as a starting point, but you need to consider the following factors before you make your final exterior paint color choice.

Sunlight Brightens and Lightens Exterior Paint Colors

Natural sunlight intensifies colors, making them appear brighter and often a shade or two lighter than they do on a paint swatch. If your house receives full sun throughout the day, colors may look significantly more vivid than expected. A deep blue-gray on your neighbor’s shaded house might turn into a much lighter and washed-out shade on your sun-exposed facade.

Solution: Always test paint samples in direct sunlight and consider going a shade darker than your preferred swatch to compensate for light reflection.  And consider hiring a designer to help you get this right.  It won’t take much more than an hour of their time and the result will be well worth the time and expense (about $120+/- per hour).

Shade Can Deepen and Cool Tones

If your home is surrounded by large trees, covered porches, or sits in a naturally shady location, your exterior paint color will likely appear darker and cooler than intended. Even warm tones like beige or taupe can take on a grayish cast in full shade.

Solution: Opt for colors with slightly warmer undertones to counteract the cooling effect of shade. Test swatches in different parts of your home that receive varying amounts of light throughout the day.  Again, hiring a designer can help you get this right.

Morning vs. Evening Light Changes Exteror Paint Color

The direction your home faces plays a role in how light affects paint colors. North-facing homes receive cooler, bluish light, which can make warm tones look more subdued. South-facing homes get warmer, golden light, which can make cooler tones appear less crisp.

Solution: Observe color swatches at different times of the day to see how the light shifts the hue. This ensures you won’t be surprised by how the color looks in the morning versus late afternoon.

If your neighbor’s home sits in a different direction, you will have to adjust the colors to a warmer or cooler tone to get the same look.

Nearby Structures and Landscaping Influence Color Reflection

Colors from surrounding elements, such as a red brick house next door or a lush green lawn, can reflect onto your home and alter the perceived color of your paint. A gray paint color might pick up a greenish tint if surrounded by heavy landscaping, while beige can look pinkish next to red brick.

Solution: Take note of surrounding colors and select a paint with neutral or complementary undertones to avoid unwanted color shifts.  If your neighbor’s home has any of these elements, be sure to adjust the paint color for your home to ensure you get the color you want.

The Importance of Large Paint Samples

Many homeowners make the mistake of selecting an exterior color based on a small paint chip. However, larger test samples provide a much better representation of how light and shade will interact with the exterior paint color on your home.

Solution: Paint a 2×2 foot test area on different sides of your home and observe it in various lighting conditions before finalizing your choice.

Make sure you like the exterior paint color at all of these junctions:

• Driving up the driveway at a slow speed
• Driving past your home at the speed limit
• Walking past your home
• At different times of day – morning, evening, afternoon, even in the darkness

Taking the extra step to consider how exterior light affects exterior paint colors you’re considering can mean the difference between a house looks like the gray you’re expecting and an exterior that looks lavender because of the lighting around your home.