Instead of jet black shutters, try using a dark shade of green.
Exterior paint color can mean the difference between a home that is warm, inviting and visually exciting and a home that is garish or otherwise unattractive. The exterior walls are some of the first elements that guests, neighbors and passersby notice when they look at a home, and for that reason it is important to put some time and thought into the colors you choose. If you are considering painting the exterior of your home in the near future, several ideas can help.
Neutral
According to Bob Vila, neutral colors like white and beige are the safest options when it comes to painting the siding---or other main surface areas---on your home. These colors, which also include light brown, khaki, light gray and off-white shades like cream are unobtrusive and give your home a light-hearted feel. For best results, pair your neutral siding with dark-colored exterior accents.
Black
While a home with an entirely black exterior might appear foreboding and unwelcoming, using black paint is still a good idea when it comes to exterior elements such as trim and shutters. As This Old House notes, black accents are the perfect finishing touches for light-colored walls and create a distinguished bow tie-like effect. Instead of using pure or jet black paint, a slightly more colorful alternative is to use a dark shade of brown or green.
Red
Like black, red is a color to use for supporting elements as opposed to broad surfaces. While an entirely red exterior may appear too bold or overwhelming, red accents help add warmth to otherwise drab color schemes. As This Old House shows, a red door and red decorative trim work help spice up gloomy gray and off-white facades.
Blue
According to This Old House, blue is a risky color to use on a home's exterior. For best results, stick with a grayish shade of blue, and complement it with white trim to help create a fresh and tranquil look for your home's exterior.
Monochromatic Scheme
Whatever color you decide on for the main portion of your house, try sticking with it throughout the rest of your exterior color scheme. As Bob Vila notes, while this monochromatic style employs just one color, it makes use of several shades. For example, if you paint the siding on your house light brown, you can use a slightly darker brown for the door and trim work and an even darker shade of brown for the shutters.
Complementary
An alternative to the monochromatic scheme is to use a complementary scheme wherein you choose two colors that are opposite from one another on the color wheel. These include yellow and violet, blue and orange and red and green. Instead of using incredibly bright, flashy shades of these colors on your home's exterior, tone them down by cutting them with gray.
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