A Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing Exterior Paint Colours

Start by taking a good look at your home and its environment. What colours are used on neighbouring houses? Are you in a rural setting with natural tones, or a built-up area with more urban hues? Aim for harmony with your surroundings while still expressing your personal style.

Some elements of your home are permanent and will influence your colour choices. Consider the colour and texture of your roof tiles, stone or brick cladding, and even your driveway. These fixed features should complement your chosen paint colours, not clash with them.

Always view colour brochures and samples outdoors in natural daylight. Colours can look very different under artificial lighting. Remember, shades often appear lighter outside than they do on a colour chip, so sampling in real light is essential.

A good starting point is to narrow down three or four key colours:

• Main or masonry colour – the dominant shade for your walls.
  
  
• Trim colour – a lighter tone for window reveals, quoins, and other architectural details.
  
  
• Plinth and sill colour – usually deeper tones for durability and contrast.
  
  
• Front door colour – a chance to add personality and flair.

Our Dulux Colour and Product Guide includes curated trios designed to work beautifully in Irish light, making it easier to create a cohesive and attractive scheme. Find these on pages 8 & 9 of the Guide.

In large housing estates, colour is a great way to stand out while still complementing your neighbours. Avoid copying their exact scheme unless the houses are designed to match. Instead, choose colours that reflect your taste and enhance your home’s character.

• Be cautious with yellows — they often appear brighter than expected.
  
  
• For front doors: if your windows are white or cream, paint the door frame in the same shade and let the door colour stand out.
  
  
• Light shades on walls can make a house look larger, while darker shades can make it appear smaller.
  
  
• Lighter trim creates contrast and highlights architectural features.
  
  
• Painting window reveals the same colour as the windows can make them appear bigger.

The Dulux Weathershield range is specially developed for Ireland’s grey light. Some shades may seem muted indoors but truly come to life outdoors. When in doubt, explore the ready-made combinations in our guide to help you choose with confidence.