Color on a Detroit house has to work with what stays: the brick, the roof and often the original wood trim. We help you choose colors and sheens and test samples in your own light. If your home is in a local historic district, exterior colors need approval from the Historic District Commission first.
Choosing a color for a Detroit house starts with what will not change. Outside, that is the brick, which here ranges from deep red to orange to buff and brown, along with the roof and any stone at the entry. Trim colors have to sit well next to those. Inside, many homes have dark stained oak trim, leaded windows and wood floors, and a wall color that fights the wood will never feel right. We begin by looking at these fixed parts with you.
Light in Michigan shifts a lot through the year. Winter days are short and often grey, and a cool pale grey that looked calm on a chip can feel cold in January. The same room in June gets warm green light off the trees. So we do not pick from small cards alone. Large samples are brushed out or taped up in the room, and you look at them morning, afternoon and under your lamps at night before anything is ordered.
Sheen is part of the choice. Flat finishes hide the waves in old plaster. Satin and semi gloss clean up better on trim, doors, kitchens and baths, but show more surface flaws. If your home lies in one of the city's local historic districts, the Historic District Commission has to approve exterior colors, so we help you put the proposed scheme together for that review. Some HOAs and condo boards have their own color rules, and it is wise to read them first.
Color consulting in Detroit: common questions
What trim colors work with red or orange brick?
Creams, warm whites, deep greens, charcoal and black are safe places to begin, since they let the brick stay the main color. Cool bright whites can look stark against warm brick. We test two or three on a real window before you commit.
Should I paint the stained wood trim inside my older home?
That is a personal decision and hard to undo, so take your time. Original oak or gumwood trim in good shape is a feature many buyers look for. If the wood is damaged or was already painted once, painting is an easier call.
Is the color help separate from the painting job?
We offer it to customers who are planning a painting project with us, and the details are set out in your quote. Ask about it when you call, and tell us whether you need help with one room, the whole interior or the exterior.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.