Q: Are there any rules of thumb about color placement on a home?

A: If a large home on a small lot is painted white or a light color, the house may seem larger and the lot smaller. Dark colors can make a home look smaller but more substantial.
 
A safe and effective approach to color placement is to select two tints or shades from the same color strip a few shades apart. Either the lighter or the darker shade could be used for the body and the opposite for the trim. A contrasting accent color could punctuate the door. Lighter colors on a porch will make a home feel more approachable and welcoming.
 
Height can be scaled down by painting the upper portion of a tall house a deeper tone than the bottom portion (reverse trim color). This is also effective on a small lot or when landscaping is immature. Conversely, a darker color on the lower portion grounds the house to the earth.
 
White and light colors are good choices for windowsills because they'll reflect the sun's heat and light. Light colors also advance in space; dark colors recede. If a house is placed far away from the curb, painting it a light color will visually bring it forward.
 
Be judicious with accent colors, but certainly accentuate the positive.

Q: Why are white and light colors so popular?

A: Traditionally, white and light colors were perceived to be safe choices. However, as consumers have gained more confidence with color, and as a broader spectrum of colors has been made available for exterior use, those “traditional”approaches are changing. Today, tinted neutrals that play off landscaping and other building materials are increasingly being used, as are mid-tone values of neutrals.