Cape Cod-style houses originated in New England during the 1600s, and were designed to withstand the tough winters along the North Atlantic coastline. They generally have a simple, one-and-a-half story frame, a steep roof with end gables and a chimney at the center of the roof. The 1950s Cape Cod has these typical design elements but often includes dormers and shutters. Cape Cod houses look best in neutral shades.
Shades of White
You can't go wrong by painting your Cape Cod-style house in tones of white. White and off-white are traditional colors for this style home, and each will nicely contrast with a dark-gray or deep-green roof. If you have shutters, consider painting them brick red or a putty green.
Gray
The color of the Atlantic Ocean in winter is a storm-tossed gray. Consider a light shade of gray for your Cape Cod house to deepen the New England feel. Paint the shutters off-white, and try a darker shade of gray for the trim around window frames or porches.
Sand
Try the color of pale sand on your Cape Cod home. This is a good neutral color to combine with a rust-colored and off-white trim. For example, if you have dormers and shutters, paint them a rust color, and trim the windows in off-white. Build a brick pathway to your front door to match the rust-colored shutters.
Experiment
Visit a home improvement store and purchase some paint samples. These small cans of paint cost just a few dollars. Apply a coat or two of sample paint to a piece of scrap lumber to get an idea of how the shade really looks in the light of day. Or, if samples are not available, bring home a group of paint chips and attach them to the side of your house to get a better idea of whether the color choice is right.
Online Tools
Try one of the online paint color tools to get a general idea of what will work best. These tools provide a collection of architectural styles to choose from, including Cape Cod houses. Choose the house style, and try out different house color palettes with a variety of trim and base color variations. See Resources for more information.
Related posts
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...
Guide to Choosing Paint Color for House TrimWhether you want to paint indoor or outdoor trim, color is important. The color of your trim in conjunction with the color of your house or walls can cr...
Paint Color Ideas for My HouseDon't be overwhelmed by choosing from the thousands of paint colors for your house. Decide whether you want to go light or dark, which colors appeal to you most, then...
Select a paint color for your home.Painting your home is a major investment, and color choices are important. The color of your home can affect how you feel as you pull into your driveway. It can...
Getting colors you'll love is important.Deciding what color scheme to go with in your house is never easy. After all, it's a decision you'll have to live with for some time. Also, there are so man...
