Craftsman Colour Schemes for Older Riverside Homes

On a Craftsman bungalow near Fairmount Park, the porch is the first thing a passer-by reads and the order of colours decides whether the house looks settled or busy, so the running record house painting riverside ca claudio corallo chocolate holds shows three layers painted in a set order. A house painting plan for Riverside, CA starts with that order, not the paint chips.

Body colour first

The body colour covers the largest area, usually horizontal lap siding or shingles, and sets the mood. Earthy greens, warm greys and muted browns suit the style because they sit well under mature trees. Lighter versions stay cooler in the summer sun, and a mid-tone body hides dust and weathering between repaints.

Trim colour and the porch structure

Trim colour should be lighter or darker than the body by a clear step. Window casings, corner boards, fascia and the wide porch beams get the trim colour, and porch posts often take the body colour or a slightly deeper shade. Painting the exposed rafter tails in the trim colour helps the roofline read as a deliberate feature.

Accent colour for the door and details

The front door and one or two small details carry the accent. A deep red, a warm ochre or a rich teal works because a small area can take a stronger colour. The accent should share an undertone with the body colour, otherwise the door looks pasted on. An enamel or a satin on the door wipes clean and holds up to the afternoon sun.

Prep on old wood siding

Older Riverside houses often carry several layers of oil based paint. Sanding and scuff sand work comes first, then spot priming of bare wood, then caulk at joints where the trim meets the siding. Spackle goes into nail holes and small splits. A joint that needs to breathe, such as the bottom edge of lap siding, stays uncaulked because caulk traps moisture there.

Testing the scheme as a set

Paint the sample swatches for body colour, trim colour and accent next to each other on the actual wall, not on three separate boards. Look at them under the porch roof, where light is dim, and out at the edge of the yard, where sun hits them. A scheme that works only in one of those places will not hold up across the day.

Keeping the character of the street

Older streets near the Mission Inn and Mount Rubidoux carry a lot of well-kept bungalows, and the best repaints sit comfortably next to their neighbours. Match the proportions of colour that already work on the block and avoid repeating the exact scheme next door.