Hot Trends in Exterior Paint Colors from Behr for 2009

So, you're really ready to spruce up your exterior, but where do you begin to pick a paint color? You definitely don't want to date your house, but you don't want the only hot pink house on the block either. Take a tour of your neighborhood, paying attention to paint and accent colors. It's best if your house is in keeping with the colors around you, but it's important to set your house apart from all the others as well.

Hot trends this year are neutrals. A wide variety of neutrals and even some colors you may not have previous considered neutral. Grays are very strong this year. Then add a bit of personality with your trim or accent colors to set your house apart. Under no circumstances, should you paint your exterior raspberry or lime green. At least not if you ever want to sell it without repainting and if you want to remain cordial with your neighbors. Greens are very popular with the eco-conscious crowd. And there are many shades of greens. Look for natural looking shades as opposed to acid green. Blues are still popular because they make us feel comforted and safe, but add an accent color that says hopeful for a new 2009 look in your exterior.

Colors that are OUT this year are bright yellows, oranges, lavender and true purples. Chocolate brown is being replaced with lighter shades such as a latte, cinnamon, or camel.

Try out some of these color combinations from Behr for 2009.

Silver Clouds (ECC-35-1) is a rich gray with a slight blue undertone. Combine it with Quartz Stone for trim and Thunder Bay for accents like shutters and doors. If you want something a little more jazzy, try Urban Gray (ECC-62-1) with Cityscape shutters and a Volcanic door. Urban gray is a lighter gray than Silver clouds, Cityscape is black and Volcanic is a rusty red.

Cottage Walk (Ecc-17-1) is a great neutral and a rich medium brown. Combine it with a creamy Dry Creek trim and accent with Napa Harvest, a deep rich amethyst. This look is very classy and will most likely give you the set apart from the rest that you are looking for. If you want something a little lighter and brighter opt for California Stucco ( ECC-57-1), trim in Shady White and accent in Always Indigo. California stucco is the color of the khakis you wear to work and Always Indigo is the color of your favorite faded jeans.

Nevada Sand (ECC-52-1) paired with Aristocrat Ivory and Hillside view has a sand and trees feel. Nevada Sand is a very light tan and Hillside View is a nice medium green. For a true naturalistic, eco green combination go with Pale Sagebrush (Ecc-38-1), trimmed with Icy Tundra and accented with Sea Fern. These colors are very soothing and will ease your home into the mountainside.

If you just love that white house that stands out sharp and crisp, paint Ultra Pure white with Jet Black trim and Holly Berry accents. Or is you are felling like you love the look but want to stand out, replace the Holly Berry for Napa Harvest or if that's too bold for you, try Country Lake a turquoise blue.

If you just love and have your heart set on a colonial color scheme, go a little different with Red Pines (Ecc-27-1), accent with Stone Mill gray and accent with Evening Canyon black.

Pick up an Exterior Paint brochure from Behr paints at your local distributor like Home Depot, or visit www.behr.com to use interactive tools to help pick your individualized colors.

Sources: www.behr.com, www.hgtv.com