Are you considering installing exterior shutters for your home?
Most American realtors agree that high-quality shutters add value to your home—even though shutters are rarely functional. But if you want to get the most out of your investment, the shutters you choose need to match your home decor.
Does this mean they need to match the color of your roof? Not necessarily! Read on to learn how to choose the best shutter color for your house.
Consider Your Home’s Style or Period
When choosing shutter colors, it’s vital to consider when and in what style your home was built. Classic home styles that suit shutters in neutral tones include:
- Georgian style houses
- Federal-style houses
- Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Tudor Revival Italianate, and Queen Anne style houses
- San Francisco Stick-style houses (with bay windows)
With contemporary homes, you have far more flexibility with shutter (and roof) color. Go wild with vibrant colors if you wish!
If you’re unsure whether the roof color or style of your home will suit shutters, click here to clarify your decision with the pros.
Don’t Ignore the Window Trim
The color of shutters should either match or complement the color of your window trim. In fact, it’s more important to consider window trim color than it is to consider roof color since the shutters sit right next to the windows.
To match the trim, take a few chips of paint into your local shutter and blind store and ask them to color match them against their shutter selection. This will give you more accuracy than a photo.
Consider Your Home’s Exterior Colors—Including the Roof
When it comes to window shutters, it’s not just the roof color that matters. You need to consider the overall color scheme of your home.
There are typically three colors to consider in exterior home decor:
- The base
- The trim
- The accents
The color of your shutters should complement the existing color palette found in all these elements.
For example, if these elements consist of neutral tones like grays, beiges, or creams, you might want to add a pop of bright color with your shutters. If your home boasts light colors, you may want to choose shutters in a similarly light tone.
What Do the Neighboring Homes Have?
If you live in a neighborhood that features homes of a similar aesthetic, you may want to take a look at other homes in your area to see what color shutters they have.
This can help you avoid problems with your neighbors, make the decision easier for you, and make your home more attractive to purchasers if you plan to sell it soon.
Believe it or not, in some states and areas in the USA, the color of home shutters may be regulated by your local HOA (Home Owners’ Association). If you have an HOA, be sure to check the rules before investing in new shutters for your home.
Shutter Color: It’s a Matter of Taste
When it comes to shutter color, the decision on whether or not to match your roof color is down to personal preference, the existing decor or style of your home, and the type of shutters you can afford.
If you’re confused by all the options, don’t be afraid to reach out to your local blind suppliers or roofing contractors for advice. They’re the experts, after all!
For more helpful homeowner tips and tricks, browse the other articles on our website.
