Last month, we focused on the benefits of keeping your commercial exterior painting fresh, and your surfaces clean. Checking off those tasks is more than just spring cleaning, it’s good for business! But sometimes a refresh won’t quite cut it. Whether you’re going through a rebrand, opening a new location, or just trying to make your mark, changing exterior paint colors could be just the boost you need. 

When it comes to exterior paint color selection, we don’t pick it, we stick it. The final choices are up to our clients. Feeling unsure? Never fear! Check out our pro tips for choosing paint colors with greater confidence. 

Style, Surroundings, and Materials: Details Matter

Before you go get the swatches, take a look at your building.  Certain architectural styles pair better with certain color palettes than others. Modern buildings tend to look their best with contrasting mono-chromatics or neutrals. Victorian or colonial-style buildings may be better suited to bolder colors and a wider range of palettes.

Exterior materials and textures (e.g., roof tiles, siding, masonry) impact how well paint colors work (or don’t), Exploring how various shades and colors look on your building materials will help ensure your commercial painting update looks its absolute best. Keep your roof color in mind, too. Everybody has different tastes, but nobody likes to clash! Exterior paint colors a few shades lighter or darker than your roof color create an inviting contrast.

Use structural details (windows, doors, trim, and so on) as a guide. Which details do you want to blend in, and which ones do you want to stand out? Let the beautiful parts of your building shine with paint colors that compliment them best.

Your business doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Surrounding buildings, landscaping, and hardscape all have colors and textures to consider when choosing contrasting or complimentary exterior paint colors. 

Setting the Mood

Exterior paint colors are integral to your first impression. From the moment someone sees your business for the first time, exterior colors evoke feelings that could influence their impulses. Color theory isn’t an exact science, but exploring trends in commercial painting for your industry could give you some ideas. 

Just like interior lighting, natural light affects the look of paint finishes. Using peel-and-stick swatches gives you a risk-free look at how paint colors look at different times of day (or in differing weather).

Choosing Paint Colors: A Few More FAQs

• How do I choose exterior trim colors? There’s no one right way, but we have a few tips. Classic white trim or other pale shades compliment dark siding well. Conversely, darker trim brings a striking contrast to white or light neutral exterior paint. 
• Paint color selection: is there an app for that? Yes! Several major paint brands have web apps you can use to test out paint colors, including Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore. 
• How many colors should my commercial building have? We suggest starting with three: body, trim, and accent. More can be added if there are additional details to accent. 

Still Feel Stuck? We Can Help

The final call is always yours, but C&R Services is happy to answer all your commercial painting questions, including offering color selection tips and creating digital renderings. Once you make your selections, we’ll do everything we can to maximize value on your painting and facilities projects. Feeling inspired? Contact us today to discuss your commercial painting project.