How to Choose Exterior Paint Colors for a Home in Spokane, WA
Choosing exterior paint colors is one of the biggest decisions you'll make when updating the outside of your home. The right colors can complement your home's architecture, highlight its best features, and create a welcoming appearance that fits naturally into the surrounding neighborhood.
For homeowners in Spokane, WA and the surrounding Inland Northwest, choosing exterior colors also means considering our unique combination of bright summer sun, snowy winters, natural landscapes, and the distinctive character of the region.
Whether you're planning to repaint an older Spokane home, updating a newer home, or simply looking for inspiration, these tips can help you choose an exterior color palette you'll enjoy for years to come.
Consider Your Home's Architecture
Before choosing a paint color, look at the style and architectural features of your home.
A traditional Craftsman may look great with earthy greens, warm grays, creams, or deeper accent colors. A modern farmhouse might work well with a combination of light neutrals, darker trim, and a contrasting front door. Contemporary homes often lend themselves to clean neutrals and simple, understated color combinations.
Your home's architecture doesn't necessarily dictate your colors, but it can help narrow down choices that feel cohesive.
Pay attention to features such as:
Siding
Trim
Shutters
Garage doors
Front doors
Porches and railings
Stone or brick
Roof color
The goal is to create a palette where all of these elements work together rather than compete with one another.
Look at the Spokane Landscape
Spokane and the surrounding area have a beautiful natural landscape, with evergreen trees, mountains, lakes, open spaces, and changing seasonal colors.
Exterior colors inspired by the Pacific Northwest can complement this environment particularly well. Consider earthy colors such as:
Sage and muted greens
Warm grays
Taupe
Cream
Soft white
Charcoal
Deep blue
Muted brown
These colors can help a home feel connected to its surroundings without making the exterior look dated.
For homes near areas such as Loon Lake, Deer Park, Chewelah, and the Spokane area, the surrounding landscape can be especially important when selecting an exterior palette.
Think About How Natural Light Changes Your Color
One of the most important things to remember when selecting exterior paint is that paint colors can look very different outside than they do on a small color card.
The amount and direction of sunlight can change how a color appears throughout the day. A color that looks warm in the morning may appear brighter in direct afternoon sunlight. Shaded areas can also make colors appear darker or cooler.
That's why we recommend looking at large samples on the actual exterior of your home whenever possible.
Observe the color:
In direct sunlight
In the shade
In the morning
In the afternoon
Next to your existing roof and stonework
Taking time to see how a color behaves in different lighting conditions can prevent surprises once the entire house is painted.
Don't Forget About the Roof
Your roof is a major part of your home's exterior and should be considered when choosing paint colors.
If your roof is staying in place, choose exterior colors that complement it rather than clash with it.
For example, a dark roof can pair nicely with lighter siding colors, while a brown or weathered roof may work well with warm neutrals and earthy colors.
You don't need the roof and siding to match. Instead, think about creating a balanced combination between the roof, siding, trim, and accent colors.
Choose a Main Color, Trim Color, and Accent Color
A simple way to build an exterior palette is to start with three colors:
Main color: The primary color used on the siding or exterior walls.
Trim color: Used around windows, doors, fascia, corners, and other architectural details.
Accent color: Used sparingly on areas such as the front door, shutters, garage door, or other features you want to highlight.
These colors don't have to be dramatically different. In fact, using variations of related colors can create a sophisticated and timeless appearance.
For example, a muted green exterior paired with a warm off-white trim and a dark charcoal front door can create a classic Pacific Northwest-inspired palette.
Don't Be Afraid of Dark Exterior Colors
Dark exterior colors have become increasingly popular, and they can look especially striking on homes with strong architectural lines.
Deep greens, charcoal grays, dark blues, and nearly-black colors can create a dramatic appearance when balanced with lighter trim or natural materials.
However, dark colors can also make architectural imperfections more noticeable and may absorb more heat from direct sunlight. The condition and material of the siding should therefore be considered before committing to a very dark color.
Using a dark color as an accent can also provide the look you're after without covering the entire house in a deep shade.
Consider the Neighborhood
Your home should reflect your personal style, but it's also worth considering the surrounding neighborhood.
Look at nearby homes and identify what you like—and what you don't like—about their exterior colors.
You don't need to choose the same colors as your neighbors. Instead, use the surrounding homes as a reference for understanding what looks appropriate in the area.
For some neighborhoods, traditional and understated colors may feel most natural. Other areas may provide more freedom to experiment with modern or distinctive color combinations.
Test Your Colors Before Painting
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is choosing an exterior color based solely on a small paint chip.
Before committing to a color, test a larger sample on the home.
Look at the sample from different distances and at different times of day. Make sure you're also viewing it next to the trim, roof, stone, brick, or other permanent features.
A color that looks perfect on a tiny sample may look significantly different when it covers hundreds of square feet.
Think About Longevity
Exterior paint is a significant investment, so it's worth considering how you'll feel about your color choice several years from now.
Trendy colors can be appealing, but classic colors often have greater staying power. That doesn't mean you need to choose a boring neutral. Muted greens, warm whites, sophisticated grays, and earthy tones can provide personality while remaining relatively timeless.
If you want to experiment with a bolder color, consider using it on the front door or another smaller architectural feature.
Need Help Choosing Exterior Paint Colors?
Choosing the right exterior paint colors can be challenging, especially when you're trying to visualize how several colors will work together on your actual home.
At Davis Painting, we help homeowners throughout Spokane, Deer Park, Loon Lake, Chewelah, and surrounding Northeast Washington communities with professional exterior painting and color updates.
From surface preparation to the final coat of paint, our goal is to provide a quality exterior finish that looks great and stands up to the Pacific Northwest climate.
If you're considering a new exterior paint color for your Spokane-area home, contact Davis Painting to schedule an estimate and start planning your next painting project.
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