Revisions log for Answer #3233
This is the answer to the question How do you choose an exterior color scheme that won't look dated in five years?
Revision 1
Three-color rule has served me well for two decades: one dominant body color, one trim color, one accent for the door and shutters. Keep the body neutral and let the accent carry the personality, because tastes shift and a neutral body is easy to live with.
The biggest mistake I see is people picking colors against the wrong fixed elements. Your roof and that brick base aren't changing, so they're your anchors. Pull an undertone from the brick for your accent and you'll get a palette that looks intentional instead of fighting the house.
Order large samples and look at them at 8am, noon and dusk before you commit. North-facing walls read much cooler than the chip in the store.