The question of what color to paint your home could be overwhelming for quite a few people.

Unless you find yourself creating a home from scratch, most homes come with a color already chosen for you, however commonly it is one that the owner doesn't love or requires updating due to deteriorating resources. Choosing the exterior color of your home is a huge choice, one that will last 10 years or more and cannot be rebuilt as simply or inexpensively as a bedroom or bathroom.

There are several components that a homeowner should consider, however the most relevant is the style and architecture of the home and the colors of the neighborhood and area.

The simplest place to start in choosing the exterior color is to take note of the colors already on the roof, masonry and other architectural accents. This contemporary home has sharp geometric angles and is enclosed by slate tile and rock walls. The builder/owner has been smart to continue the example of lighter reflections in the rock as a color alternative for the stucco, which also contrasts beautifully with the black window frames and railing.

Spanish-style homes are recognizable in the West and Southwest and are known for their stucco exteriors, tile roofs and arched hallways and windows. Maintaining this style means choosing a paler shade of cream that may have subtle hues such as yellow, brown, gray or a touch of olive.

A Tudor is known for its sharp ceiling, recessed entry and rock or brick fireplaces or accents. The trim or primary color is commonly a medium to dark shade of brown, but any earth tone will enhance this Old English style.

Victorian style homes call for a more colorful palette to accent the intricate architectural moldings or gingerbread detailing. With these homes, anything goes! There really is no right or wrong if you stick with 3 or 5 complementary shades.

A traditional colonial is consistently a clean, crisp white with contrasting shutters in a deep shade of blue, green or gray, which is the simplest color mix of each of. This owner decided on a sophisticated black for the shutters to coordinate with the black ceiling and window trim.

Like the colonial above, it is constantly safe to choose a white or neutral color for the exterior to demonstrate the architecture of the home. Try to pick an attractive color for the front door. Regardless of how neutral the rest of the home is, the front door does not have to be. Consider painting just the front door in a fun color to create a welcoming, eye-catching entryway.

When choosing the exterior color of your home, keep the following in mind. It is critical to make a timeless choice that not only adds exterior flare and increases resale cost, but also shares some affinity with the homes in your neighborhood. Prior to marketing monumental portions of paint, buy small samples or even quarts and apply 4 to 5 different samples to the side of your home to get a real initiative of how the paint will look on an exterior wall. Monumental areas make the paint appear lighter, especially in sunlight, so try certain darker shades.

Paint colors will also look darker on shady lots, so consider paler colors for homes screened by several trees. Emphasize architectural details and windows with a complementary accent color, however, choose colors that are involved. Scrolling up and down the paint strip on the fan deck is the safest way to go. The most basic homes need as few as 2 colors, but more developed homes have the possibility of using up to 5. Use the style of your home as your ultimate guide.