Color Blocking: A Modern Approach to New Home Design

Innovative and visually striking, exterior color-blocking is giving architects and designers a fresh take on new home design. This bold design technique involves the strategic use of contrasting colors and geometric shapes to create dynamic and eye-catching exteriors. From vibrant accents to monochromatic schemes, exterior color blocking opens a host of possibilities for homeowners looking to make an instant street statement.

A New Twist to Curb Appeal

Color-blocking is the ability to make a bold visual impact by using different colors and shades on the exterior of a home to accentuate different parts of the elevation of the home. At its essence, the design technique is about creating a dramatic effect or statement, helping to differentiate a home and the homeowner’s personality. At Garman Builders much of our color blocking involves dark siding with black trim or lighter sliding with white trim. The specific color selected is up to the homeowner.

Brad Zahm, Director of Architecture for Garman Builders’ new home division explains color blocking as the wow factor.

“Color-blocking is pushing architecture forward. When you think of design you often think of interior elements more than you do the exterior of a home,” explains Zahm. This trend allows us to push the home design itself to the forefront and create a fully customized home. It changes how and what we think about when designing a home.”

By highlighting specific elements such as windows, doors, and entryways with contrasting colors or bold accents, architects and designers can accentuate the unique character and charm of the property. This strategic use of color can add depth and dimension to the façade, creating visual interest and enhancing the overall curb appeal of the home.

Customization and Personalization

One of the key advantages of exterior color blocking is its versatility and flexibility in design. Homeowners have the freedom to customize their home's exterior to suit their tastes and preferences, whether opting for a bold and modern aesthetic or a more traditional and timeless look.

“As homeowners are looking to enhance the personalization of their home, we are getting a lot of requests to add color to the exterior of a home, specifically with black or dark colors. In some cases, color blocking is replacing exterior materials like stone or brick as an accent to a home,” states Zahm.

Energy and Sustainability

In addition to its aesthetic benefits, exterior color blocking can also contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability in home design. By choosing lighter colors for reflective surfaces and darker colors for absorbing heat, homeowners can optimize thermal performance and reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling. This strategic use of color can help create a more comfortable and eco-friendly living environment while also lowering utility bills and minimizing environmental impact.

Maintenance and Durability

Despite its bold appearance, exterior color blocking is surprisingly low-maintenance and durable. High-quality exterior paints and finishes are specifically formulated to withstand harsh weather conditions, UV exposure, and fading, however, some colors, like red, are prone to a faster fade time. With proper care, color selection, and positioning of the home, homeowners can preserve the beauty and longevity of their home's exterior color blocking for years to come.

Have a question about color blocking? All Garman homeowners get personalized appointments with our design team to walk through all the ways we can create a home built for the way you live.