Choosing an exterior colour for a Queensland home

Exterior colour is the first thing people notice about a home, and in South East Queensland it also has to cope with strong sun, summer storms and salty air near the bay.

Start with the fixed parts of the house: the roof, the brick or stone, and the window frames. Pick a main wall colour that sits well with them, then a trim colour that frames the windows and edges.

Quick tips

• Look at the roof, brick and frames first
• Test big samples in morning and evening light
• Use darker tones on trims and doors, not whole walls

Warm whites and soft greys stay cool in summer and suit both Queenslanders and modern homes. Deeper navy or charcoal works beautifully on doors, trims and feature walls.

Always test large samples on two or three walls and look at them in the morning and late afternoon. The same colour can look very different in full sun and in shade.