As daylight hours expand and the weather grows milder, homeowners search for ways to enjoy the outdoors and beautify their homes. Implementing greater curb appeal for the home can be easily and stylishly introduced to small exterior home details using today's most popular colors, partnered with the simple and budget-friendly application of paint!

The exterior trims and architectural details of a home can be greatly enhanced with the addition of an attractive paint color scheme. Rather than incurring the expense of replacing a timeworn front door, consider giving it a facelift with a fresh coat of paint! Do mismatched door accessories detract from your front entrance? Consider aerosol spray painting the decorative door handle, door knocker and door numbers with one unifying paint palette of color. Highlighting shutters, garage window trims, porches, decks and railings with a common color palette that contrast with the home's exterior allows for a dramatic exterior appearance. Accentuating gutters, downspouts, steps and risers on outside stairs with one unifying color theme using one or two shades deeper than the home's existing exterior color scheme provides for a more subtle, monochromatic look. Remember to consult with a paint professional regarding proper procedures for priming and sealing various items of differing fabrications prior to tackling any project of this nature. For immediate advice consult our Exterior Prep, Prime and Paint section.

Consider allowing the exterior details of your home to create a mood or theme, using a carefully considered paint color scheme.

Homeowners who live near the coast may consider any of today's popular blues and greens in order to create an ethereal ambience. Soft sky blues, cool aquas and seafoam greens are a few of the endless color options that may be used to fashion a seaside getaway. For those who reside in the mountains, explore the possibility of incorporating deeper, rustic combinations of color as part of the home's exterior. Foliage green, chestnut brown and barnwood gray conjure up a scenario of a mountain escape. Those who prefer to convey a more conservative palette of color may consider adding any of today's contemporary neutral shades (including taupe, celery and sage green) to exterior trims and details for updated but classic looks. Applying thoughtfully selected paint color partnerships to exterior details of the home not only enhance curb appeal, but also create an environment where lingering outdoors during the warm weather months is a welcome activity for any family member.

Read more about this month's topic:
Making an Entrance: Curb Appeal Ideas That Extend Inside the Home