These outdoor painting ideas have been on my home to-do list since we first laid eyes on our home almost 5 years ago. These quick and simple updates will make a huge impact on the curb appeal of our house!
OK, so I’m kind of embarrassed that it’s taken me so long to tackle these projects. And actually I haven’t even done them yet, just made a tiny baby step in the right direction. Yay me!!
But don’t give me too much credit. It may have been forced on me.
I’m not proud of my lack of attention to the outside of my home. Sure we’ve improved some of the landscape, but let’s be honest. I never have really loved the outside of my house. Red brick and forest green shutters just don’t call out my name. #merrychristmasallyearlong
And that front door looks like a dark hole. My wreaths get lost on the cavern-like alcove.
But here’s the thing. We have an HOA and I have to submit a request for anything we want to change. #wompwomp
It’s stumped me, because I like to test out at least two colors for any paint project I do. And they are wanting me to choose my colors without testing them and then stick with one choice?? How in the world?! What if I change my mind? What if I want to test out 5 different colors and none of them work out?
Blerg! The dilemma of a home enthusiast, backed into the corner by the home owner’s association.
See how debilitating this HOA business can be? It’s truly throwing a wrench into my “never regret a paint color choice” decision making strategy.
OK, back to the forced thing. We have been receiving several suggestive letters from said HOA to update the color of our fence. Yes, it’s old and worn and in major need of repair and a new coat of stain, but it wasn’t high on my priority list.
Then then HOA sent us a letter saying, “fix your fence or else.” (“Or else” meant a possible, smallish fine.)
So guess what? A fire has been lit, my friend.
And this week, on my way home from dropping Baby G off at preschool, I swung my car into the Sherwin Williams store. My HOA already has an approved color picked out for all fences in our neighborhood. And I went into the store knowing I would hate it.
Lo and behold, I actually really like it! It’s Sand Castle SW-3006, and I’m pretty sure it will look lovely.
On my drive home, I stalked the fences in our neighborhood and think I’ve found several that already have this color. It looks lighter than the swatch in person, but still a greige color. It looks really good with a variety of home colors, which is probably why it’s the preferred choice.
While I’m fixing up the outside, I am going to also paint my shutters and front door! YAY!!
I’ve gone back and forth about choosing the same color for the shutters and door, but in the end I’m going to go with my gut. I have always, always, always wanted a Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore) front door.
This IS The Turquoise Home after all. #iftheshoefits
It’s a super popular color, so I’ve shied away from using it. I didn’t want to be too trendy, but I don’t care anymore. It’s probably way past its prime now anyway. I have the color in my dining room and I have never grown tired of it. I think it will look great!
For the shutters, I’m going to paint them Anonymous SW-7046 (Sherwin Williams).
It’s a darker green-gray compared to Sand Castle, but the shutters are such a small part of the house, I think they will look great together.
And I’ll let you in on a little secret. I tested out a small spot before I submitted my HOA request. I had to, y’all. I’m like a giddy school girl when I get home from the paint store with a new color. I just have to test it out immediately!
I did not, however, test out a sample on the front door. I’m 99.9% sure I’ll love it, although I’ve been wrong before. We’ll see!
What do you think of my color choices?
I’m sending the request form off to the HOA tomorrow! Wish me luck!
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Beth Guernsey says
Love those color choices! Where did you get the yellow planters?
Laura says
Hi Beth, that’s not my photo, so I’m not sure where they came from. Sorry! 🙂 Laura
Juju says
I love the door color. It reminds of the “haint blue” that people in the South Carolina coastal “low country” traditionally painted their porch ceilings to discourage “haints”–ghosts–from haunting their homes. In fact, I’ve been planning to use something very like it on the ceiling of the porte-cochere of my new home (well, new to me). Y’know, for the tradition of it–not that I’m actually afraid of haints. Or am I? Come to think of it, I DID have to sign a document when I bought the house agreeing that I couldn’t back out of the purchase if I found out the house was haunted. Wha….? :0
I like the shutter color, too, though I might’ve been tempted to go a smidge darker to come closer to matching the mortar color.
Laura says
I love the “haunt blue” porch ceilings here in the south. If I had a nicer porch, I’d do that, too! I am still waiting on the HOA to decide, but I hope it’s soon, because I’m ready to paint! 😋
Chris Pyle says
LOVE the Wythe Blue for the door. I think the shutter color looks good against the brick and it is a nice transition from fence to house.
I can not imagine living with an HOA set of rules. Not with my crazy color brain going on. Admiring your patience and willingness to work with others color ideas. Especially when you have such a beautiful sense of color yourself.
I will have to paint my house next year. UGH . Would love to do it in bright turquoise with white trim and fuchsia accents. But I will probably settle for Navajo White and Jade green trim. I do not have shutters but might by next year. Not sure I can fit them in here or afford them. And how to attach them?? Cement board siding. I think they really do add to the charming look of the house. Fall is approaching way too fast I am out of time to start a big out door painting project. AND I will need some one to paint the gable ends for me. They are way too high for me to go up on a ladder. I am terrified of heights and also have vertigo not to mention I am 67 and will be 68 by the time I will be painting. Friend has a bucket truck I could use for the front of the house but I can not get it in to do the back of the house. So thankful hubby had the garage/shop clad in metal so only the walk through door trim needs painting. And the carport posts. Did all of that last spring.
Off to work for me hoping to finish my guest room studio switcheroo today. I am tired of looking at the huge mess I have created. Well I doubt I will get the last bit of painting done but really hoping to finally get all the furniture placed. Then just a wee bit of painting in the doorway entrance to the room. Ran out of paint and bought it in town yesterday. All done by myself. Me and my bestest friend dolly ,straps and skid rugs. Almost sounds a bit kinky.
Laura says
😋 I love reading your comments, Chris! 🙂 The jade green and navajo white sounds beautiful! Just be careful. And I think you definitely go with shutters, but I have no idea how to attach them. I’d be googling that one. Thanks for sharing your life with me! 😘
Teri says
I like your choices!
Laura says
Thank you, Teri!!
Dana says
I like your color choices and think it will look great! Good luck!
Laura says
Thank you so much, Dana!
Angela says
Love the colour of the door, but not keen on the shutter colour with the red brick? I would paint the shutters either black, or the same colour as the door?
Laura says
Thanks for your input! I’m not a big fan of black, but I think the turquoise would be too much. We’ll see if the HOA approves it. They still haven’t!