How to Pick the Perfect Colors for Your New Siding: A Complete Guide for Metro Detroit Homeowners
Choosing new siding is one of the biggest design decisions you’ll make for your home. The right siding color can completely transform your property, boosting curb appeal, improving resale value, and giving you pride every time you pull into the driveway. But with hundreds of shades, styles, and finishes available, how do you choose the best color scheme for your home?
If you live in Metro Detroit or Southeast Michigan, your siding needs to stand up to tough weather—snow, rain, and sun—while also fitting into the character of your neighborhood. The color you pick should complement your roof, trim, and brickwork while also leaving room for small details like shutters, doors, and light fixtures to pop as accents.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about how to pick out siding colors, including:
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Using existing colors on your home (roof, trim, and brick)
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Why it’s best to stick to three main colors
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Choosing accents like shutters, doors, and fixtures
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Classic vs. modern color palettes and current siding trends
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How color choices affect resale value and curb appeal
Whether you’re updating an older Ferndale bungalow, refreshing a Royal Oak colonial, or building a new home in Novi, these principles apply to every home style in Michigan.
Start with What You Already Have: Using Existing Home Colors
Before you get excited about bold siding swatches or Pinterest inspiration boards, take a step back and look at the unchangeable elements of your house. These are features that aren’t likely to change soon—or would be too expensive to redo—so your siding should work with them, not against them.
The Roof Color
Roofs typically last 20–30 years, so unless you’re planning a full roof replacement along with your siding, you’ll need to match your siding to the roof color you already have.
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If your roof is dark gray or black, you have the most flexibility—almost any siding color will look good with it.
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If your roof is brown or tan, consider earthy siding colors like beige, cream, taupe, or warm greens.
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If your roof has a variegated blend of colors, you’ll want to pick siding that pulls one of those tones without clashing.
Brick and Stonework
If your home already has brick or stone, that color is a permanent part of your exterior palette. A red brick base pairs beautifully with neutral siding like white, beige, or gray. A light limestone or fieldstone foundation might look best with darker siding colors for contrast. Technically brick or stone can be painted, but in my experience homeowners often regret doing this.
Window Frames
While windows can often be repainted down the line, it’s worth considering what color your windows are right now. For example, if your windows are already white, it gives you a crisp and flexible base. If your windows are dark brown or beige, you’ll want siding that doesn’t clash.
By anchoring your siding choice to the existing roof, brick, and windows, you ensure your new siding looks intentional and balanced.
The Rule of Three: Roof, Siding, and Trim
One of the most important design rules when it comes to exterior color selection is sticking to three main colors:
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Roof (dark, neutral, or earthy tone)
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Siding (the main wall color of the house)
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Trim (the framing around windows, doors, soffit, and fascia)
Adding too many competing colors can make a house look busy and overwhelming. By keeping things limited to three main colors, you create a harmonious and timeless look.
Considering Brick as a Fourth Element
If your home has exposed brick or stone, that counts as a fourth color you’ll need to work around. In that case, keep the trim and roof neutral so the brick and siding remain the stars of the palette.
Example Combinations for Michigan Homes
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Classic Detroit Colonial: Black roof, white siding, red brick base, black trim.
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Royal Oak Craftsman: Dark brown roof, sage green siding, beige trim, stone porch base.
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Suburban Novi Contemporary: Charcoal roof, light gray siding, crisp white trim.
By ensuring that all three (or four) of these elements work together, you avoid clashing tones and give your home a polished, professionally designed look.
Accent Colors: Shutters, Doors, and Fixtures
Once your roof, siding, and trim are chosen, you can have fun with accent colors. These smaller details bring personality to your home without overwhelming the design.
Shutters
Shutters can either blend or pop. Black and dark gray shutters are classic and timeless. Deep green or navy shutters add character while still looking refined. Avoid overly bright shutter colors unless you want a highly personalized look.
Doors
Your front door is one of the best places to use bold color. A red door is classic, a blue door feels coastal, and a natural wood stain brings warmth. Just make sure your door complements your siding rather than clashing with it.
Light Fixtures and Hardware
Bronze, black, brushed nickel, or copper fixtures should align with your overall palette. For example, warm earth-tone siding looks best with oil-rubbed bronze, while cool grays look sharp with black or brushed nickel.
These accents may seem small, but together they provide a cohesive, intentional look that elevates curb appeal.
Classic Siding Colors vs. Modern Trends
Siding color trends come and go, but some shades will always look timeless.
Classic Siding Colors
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White: Clean, crisp, and versatile. Works with nearly any roof and trim combination.
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Beige/Tan: Warm and neutral, great for homes with brown or earthy roofs.
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Light Gray: Soft and subtle, pairs well with darker roofs and trim.
Modern and Trendy Siding Colors
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Dark Charcoal or Black: Currently very popular for contemporary homes. Makes a bold statement.
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Deep Blue: Rich navy siding with white trim is one of today’s biggest design trends.
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Greige (Gray + Beige): A modern neutral that bridges traditional and contemporary looks.
If you’re planning to sell your home in the next few years, sticking to classic colors may be safer. But if you want your home to feel current and stylish, experimenting with darker or bolder modern colors can pay off.
How Siding Color Affects Curb Appeal and Resale Value
Color choice isn’t just about personal style—it can directly impact how others view your home.
Improving Resale Value
According to real estate experts, homes with modern, coordinated exterior color schemes tend to sell faster and for more money. In Metro Detroit, where housing markets are competitive, updated siding colors can help your home stand out.
Boosting Curb Appeal
Even if you’re not selling, curb appeal matters. Fresh siding in a well-chosen color can make your house the best-looking one on the block. Whether you’re in Ferndale, Birmingham, or Ann Arbor, siding upgrades often make older homes feel brand-new.
Practical Tips for Choosing Siding Colors
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Look at Samples in Natural Light – Colors look different in the showroom than they do in Michigan sunlight or under cloudy skies. Always check samples outside against your house.
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Use Online Visualizers – Many siding manufacturers have digital tools where you can upload a photo of your home and try different colors.
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Drive Around Your Neighborhood – See what color combinations appeal to you and fit the style of your area.
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Think Long-Term – Trendy colors may fade in popularity. If you plan to stay in your home 20+ years, pick a color you won’t get tired of.
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Work with a Professional – Local contractors like Level Up Improvement can provide guidance, samples, and expertise on what works best in Metro Detroit neighborhoods.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Siding Colors in Metro Detroit
Selecting siding colors is more than just picking your favorite shade—it’s about designing a cohesive, timeless, and beautiful home exterior. By starting with your roof, brick, and trim, sticking to three main colors, and thoughtfully adding accent shades, you’ll create a look that feels intentional and polished.
Classic whites, beiges, and grays will always be safe, while bold charcoals, blues, and greiges offer a modern twist. No matter which direction you choose, the right siding colors will improve curb appeal, boost resale value, and make your home a true standout in the neighborhood.
If you’re ready to explore siding color options for your home in Metro Detroit or Southeast Michigan, reach out to Level Up Improvement. Our team specializes in helping homeowners choose the perfect materials and colors that fit their home’s character, style, and budget.