What Does Your Interior or Exterior House Paint Color Say About You? 7 Keys to Color Communication

ByBarbara Jacobs

How would you describe yourself? Are you conservative, bold, fun-loving, sophisticated--and even more, how much do you want to communicate this in a non-verbal way?

You can do it with your choice of paint colors. It's a not-so-subtle communication about your personality and lifestyle.

Of course, you can use this both ways. Do you want to be more "undercover?" Want it to be a secret, or surprise? See how comfortable you are with colors and combinations of colors that run counter to your innate attractions and inclinations.

It's a bit different, granted, whether we're talking about the exterior of your home, versus the interior.

Interiors are much more flexible, and it's much easier to make be more expressive with interior colors--then change them at a whim if you want to.

7 keys to color communication

1. Extroverts: Usually like to use bright, contrasting colors and patterns that say, "Look at Me."

2. Introverts: Tend to be attracted to a more pensive style of color. Blue, green, and soft lavender hues in muted tones whisper "I love quiet places." These are good colors to create spaces for meditation.

3. Style-conscious: Add some unique colors to the mix, looking at the current trends in color and design.

4. Sophisticated: Subtle, or dramatic. Color preferences are often neutral-based, using colors of metal and stone with accents of brilliance or depth.

5. Happy and Sunny: The effusive, upbeat personality is energetic and loves to share, in of yellows and oranges combines with floral and garden colors. The message: "I want you to enjoy this, too!"

6. Serious individual: Look for earthy "neutrals" with stronger color accents in a monochromatic style palette. Some punch of stronger color shows the sense of adventure in this person.

7. Adventurous: An eclectic personality, and palettes drawn from sources ranging from natural, earth-tones to "high-tech color" accents and international hues exemplifies these individuals. There's a tendency to change color styles, accessories, and paint walls at a moment's notice.

Tips for exterior expression

While exterior colors can be expressive as well, it's obviously a much bigger commitment when you're painting the exterior of your home. You will probably not be changing your home's exterior color palette too often. But when you do, you can still keep these in mind-along with all the other considerations creating a personalized home with exterior color.

Body colors: Stand out in a beautiful way with a deeper color than your neighbors are using.

Trim: Make it a contrast with the body, but it does not have to be white!

Accents: Here's your place to be more expressive, with a bold complementary color.

Historic buildings: Even the color palettes for historic homes or other properties can include a bit of personal expression.