There's nothing quite as exquisite as pulling up to your own home and admiring its stunning curb appeal. Imagine pristine landscaping, your driveway a beautiful result of design and planning, and the house itself...well, you can finish this masterpiece by choosing just the right exterior paint colours. Should you follow current trends or trust a mainstream colour scheme? Let's explore.

Black 

No one would have ever expected black to be an ideal choice for an exterior home colour. After all, we have associated black with funerals and mourning in the past. However, this ultra rich tone is also known for its elegance and unpresumptuous nature. Black as an exterior colour can make your home look devastatingly posh. 

Contrasted with sharp, white trim work, or even matching black, your home will be the talk of the street. If you're afraid an all-black home will look boring or uninteresting (we did say "liven" up your home), perfectly placed plants, trees, and shrubs can brighten up the look. The bright green hues of plant life will illuminate the prestige of your home's design.

Grey 

Another seemingly boring colour, when applied in the right way, makes your home look positively elegant. Use a mid-tone grey with slight brown undertones, combined with a dark grey charcoal for trim, and your home will stand out on the street. Use back iron metal features such as lighting, railings, or decorative pieces on your elevation to finish off this noteworthy look.

Dark Tones with Natural Wood 

Using a darker tone like navy or army green, combined with natural wood textures, gives your home charming appeal. Using wooden brackets, shakes, or shutters warms the look of the home, and when combined with a matching natural wood door, it completes this style. Tie the front yard into the design of your home by placing a bench painted the colour of your home next to a natural wood address sign.

Ivory, White, and Aqua 

If your style is more conservative, but you're still daring enough to try something different, consider using neutral tones on the majority of your home, such as ivory with white trim, and painting your door with a vibrant pop of colour such as aqua. Any bright colour will work, with these neutral tones. Perhaps you prefer violet or bright red. They'll all work with this colour scheme. To add a final touch to your curb appeal, plant flowers with the same colour as your brightly painted door.

Sage Green, White, and Pale Yellow 

Your main home colour can be a soft green such as sage, a colour that's still somewhat neutral without being brown or grey. Pair sage with crisp, white trim work to sharpen its impact. Complete this soft look with a hint of buttery, pale yellow on the door as well as other decorative elements on the home. If your home has shutters, this yellow would add just the right amount of contrast.

Classic Black and White 

Nothing is more elegant than your classic palette of black and white. Allowing you the freedom to add your colours elsewhere, such as in the landscaping, flower boxes, or outside furniture, black and white can make your home look very sharp. There's a reason we still wear black and white to the opera.

Eggplant, White, and Grey 

Eggplant is a very rich, deep purple tone that looks sophisticated, yet still fun. Paired with white trim work to enhance the richness of the colour, your home's unique lines and shapes are revealed. Add multiple tones of grey in the stonework, shakes, and other decorative elements to finish off this fresh look.

Brick Red and Black 

You might think these colours will make your home look like a barn, but this combination will actually enhance the shape and lines of your home in a compelling manner. The red will make your home stand out from the landscape, while the black trim will tone down the brightness and complete the edges with style. Add dark grey stone to your home, and your curb appeal will be anything but boring.

There are many remarkable colour combinations to make your home look upscale. Depending on your style and boldness, don't be afraid to experiment. Drive around some neighbourhoods to see what appeals to you — you might be surprised!

Ready to keep painting? Check out these Popular Paint Palettes for 2017!