Everyone wants their house to look nice.
It makes coming home that bit more pleasant.
And it can add value to your property.
One of the easiest ways to improve a house’s appearance is to paint it.
But what colour should you choose?
What are the most common house colours?
Generally, the most common house colours are:
- White
- Grey
- Beige
- Blue
- Brown.
However, there are some exceptions where other colour schemes are more common.
For example, many coastal towns and villages are commonly associated with varied bright and pastel colours.
And some non-coastal places are, too – Notting Hill in London and Lavenham in Kent, for instance.
In other places, other more uniform colours are favoured or enforced. This is particularly common with both new builds and historic buildings.
For example, the 40-mile ‘Black and White Village Trail’ in Herefordshire includes hundreds of historic timber-framed buildings.
Which house colour is recommended by experts?
Factors to consider first
Most experts recommend considering the impact on adjacent properties.
This varies according to the type of property in question, especially terraced properties.
The property’s age is also key. Contemporary homes (especially new builds) often use contemporary colours like graphite grey or coral.
By contrast, period homes usually stick to subtle shades. Many of these are restricted in how they can be painted because they are listed or have covenants.
White
White is a failsafe option often used in classic and contemporary homes. It comes with many tints and undertones.
So, the result can be adjusted to avoid something too clinical or sharp.
Yellow
Yellow is one of the most unpopular colours, especially when it is bright or luminous.
However, pale cowslip is more popular, particularly on period homes.
Pink
Many consider pink tacky and ‘dolls-house-ish,’ but rose or dusty pink can look great on character cottages.
Black
Many people consider black quite a ‘loud’ colour because it’s relatively rare.
It can be challenging to maintain because it peels quickly due to heating and cooling more often.
Can I paint my house whatever colour I want?
In theory, yes. Permitted development rights allow you to do this without planning permission.
But you may need permission if you live in a protected area or your building is listed.
You may get some raised eyebrows from the neighbours if you opt for something highly unusual (e.g., sunburst orange or Mediterranean red). This could cause neighbourly disputes or hostilities.
Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 gives local authorities power to make owners restore a property’s condition if it adversely affects local amenities.
The red-and-white-striped Kensington case
Back in 2015, a Kensington homeowner painted her house in red and white stripes.
She was then informed that she had violated Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
This Act gives local planning authorities the power to serve a notice on owners to restore the property’s condition if it adversely affects the area’s amenities.
This particular Kensington resident took the local council to Court and won her case on appeal.
(Fortunately for her neighbours, she had also applied for consent to demolish and replace the property.)
Can I paint my house in a protected area?
You won’t need planning permission to paint your house if it is in a conservation area.
This is unless an Article 4(2) direction is in operation, which restricts this activity.
The idea is to create a consistent and appropriate uniform identity within a conservation area and support the predominant character.
The rules which apply to conservation areas can vary from one location to another. So, it’s always prudent to check and avoid assumptions.
If your house has listed building status, you won’t need planning permission to paint it. But you will need a listed building consent.
The exterior paint colour mustn’t affect its character as a building of historical or special architectural interest.
This applies to all of the exterior, including the windows and doors.
Not complying with listed building regulations will result in a fine. You will often be forced to return your house to a more appropriate colour.
Can I paint my house by myself?
In theory, yes. But most experts don’t recommend this.
Painting the exterior of a house is challenging. Surfaces must be prepared for long-lasting, even and weatherproof finishes.
Remember that you’ll also need the right equipment with properties above the ground floor. This could include hiring scaffolding and working at height.
Does the environment & climate impact the best house colour?
Yes, the environment does impact the colour choice. But this will depend on whether you want to stand out or blend in.
Bold primary colours like reds and blues work well on contemporary properties in urban settings.
Plain and earthy colours (white, off-white, beige, grey, etc.) often suit rural scenery.
The climate can also make a difference.
Sheltered south-facing properties can do better with a cooler colour rather than warmer shades like yellow and gold.
Some experts believe that an exterior colour can also impact the temperature inside the building.
How does house colour house value?
House colour significantly influences how much a property is worth.
Remember, the colour of the exterior is the first thing prospective buyers see. First impressions count!
Research by Origin found that new buyers pay 5% less for a property with ‘an unappealing colour scheme.’ However, this survey includes interiors as well as exteriors.
The golden rule is to paint your house the best colour for the building and its immediate environment.
