Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel.
Using a color with its complement, defined as its opposite on the color wheel, allows the colors to make each other stand out due to the contrast. While this may seem garish on a house, selecting your shades carefully and shifting your color choices slightly outside the directly opposing colors can create a striking look that gives your house class or charm, depending on the selection.
Blue and Orange
Blue and orange may evoke an image of sports team colors, but if you take cues from nature, you may find a way to use this combination successfully for your home's exterior. Consider a sunset, in which a blue sky is highlighted by orange clouds. If you like that look, try a deep, almost purplish blue as the basic color for your home, then a light orange for the trim. For a more subtle approach, try a smoky or slate blue base color for your house and peach trim. Swap the colors so the peach is the main color if you want a lighter look, then go darker with navy blue trim on your doors and windows.
Yellow and Purple
It may be hard to picture a yellow and purple house without visualizing something that looks like a child's toy, but remember that you don't need to use the boldest or purest version of each color. Try a cream or pale gold for your home's exterior to bring in the yellow's warmth, then choose a deep plum for the trim. If you prefer purple for the body of your home, choose one with red undertones for a warmer look, then try cream or gold trim for contrast. If you prefer a subtle complementary look, select a gray with yellow undertones for the main paint color and a dark purple with either warm or cool undertones for the trim.
Green and Red
Before you start imagining your house as a part of Santa's village, remember that both green and red come in a huge variety of shades, some of which complement each other quite nicely. Try a sage green home with maroon trim for a home that shows warmth and style. If your home is in a heavily wooded area, try a deep reddish-brown exterior with dark green trim, allowing your house to blend with the colors of nature. If the red on your home's exterior comes from brick, try contrasting it with forest green trim, and then use a pale, nearly white shade of green for any nonbrick walls.
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