The antithesis of the classic and traditional white color scheme is using complementary or opposite colors. The way this trend works is that you have to make sure your color scheme is regionally appropriate or suits your neighborhood feel and tone. These color pairings can always be found at opposite ends from each other on the color wheel. When put together, the two colors bring out the best in each other, making both colors look cleaner and brighter. For the paint pro, the color wheel is a tool constructed to help you see the relationship between different hues. The bases are three primary colors: red, blue and yellow. These are then combined to make the three secondary colors: orange, green, and purple. Finally, the remaining six colors on the wheel are known as tertiary colors and are mixes of the secondary colors, including such hues as red-orange and blue-green. Using cheerful contrasting paint color hues works especially well if it fits your personal design style. Here's a guide to painting tools every homeowner should have.

Light and easy warm greens, yellows and blues can make your home appear larger. Using the warmer tints of color themes with a simple white trim visually brings the home closer to the curb to make your home stand out in your neighborhood. Once you've selected a basic color, it's easy to create many different and warmer versions within the same family. All you need to do is combine that color with a neutral in order to make it warmer or cooler, lighter or darker. This is known as tint and shade. Tint is lightening a color by adding white. Shade is darkening a color by adding black. Check out this resource on how to choose paint colors.

Monochromatic colors on the wheel are one basic color (hue), but have different values — lightness (tints) or darkness (shades). A dramatic and bold way to use the monochromatic paint trend is to paint your home all black. While contrasting siding and trim colors is typical, choosing monochromatic — especially black or gray with a darker or glossier black for the trim — really enhances the architectural and structural features of the home. Be careful when choosing your exterior paint colors in the store because they may appear lighter on the home exterior than on the paint chip in the store because of the natural lighting.

Plus: Exterior Painting Tips and Tricks

Variations of neutral color tones give your home a unique dimensional perspective. One-color neutral combinations may sound boring but when carefully planned, using tones of browns and grays, can be serene and elegant. Gray is one neutral that works well for exteriors and selecting a trim color two shades darker from the siding color is a safe bet.

Plus: How to Prepare for House Painting