Get your house colours right

When it comes to colours, what suits your sister or best friend might look, well, shocking on you - and vice versa. Turns out you can apply the same theory to house colours.

While some paint colours and colour schemes look fabulous on a Contemporary-style home, apply it to an Art Deco house and you risk winding up with a visual nightmare. Nowhere is that more true than when you're dealing with a Heritage home.

Fact is, while there is still scope to be adventurous and individual, there are definite rules to follow when it comes to developing a colour scheme for a Heritage home.

Ask any expert and they'll tell you the same thing - there is no doubt that Period-style houses look more appealing and retain their value better when they're painted in house colours that were popular in the era they were built in. That's because, when they're used wisely, appropriate exterior house colours will highlight the unique architectural features of Period-style, Heritage homes, rather than competing or screaming at them.

And while the exact colour palette will differ depending on the year your house was built, in general terms we're talking creams, burgundies and deep greens as opposed to bright orange and aqua.

Scoping-out house colours

When considering house colours, the best thing to do is research. A number of books have been published on 'Heritage colour schemes', so flick through them and start planning.

It's also worth taking a drive around your local area, where there are likely to be other homes built in a similar style and era as your own. It's a great way to see different house colours in action, so you can quickly decide what works and what doesn't. 

Another idea is to enlist the help of a real estate agent, asking them for their advice about how different house colours might affect street appeal and therefore the potential value of your property.

And don't overlook employing the services of a colour consultant. They work either independently or through an affiliation with a particular paint company, and are a great source of advice about creating a colour scheme that is both aesthetic and respectful of the particular architectural needs of your home.

Lastly, if you own a Heritage-listed property you should always check with your local council before you start any work on the exterior - including choosing house colours. Many councils impose restrictions about what house colours can and can't be used on certain types of property, so it's best to do your homework before you invest any time and money into your project.