Design trends: Boosting your home’s curb appeal

Taupe, Behr Paint Company’s 2026 Exterior Stain Colour of the Year, is a refined, versatile shade blending soft brown and gentle grey undertones. Photo by SUPPLIED

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If the exterior of your home is looking tired and dated, it’s time for a refresh. From the latest stains and paints to a new roof and more, there are lots of ways to boost your home’s curb appeal.

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EXTERIOR STAINS

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BeautiTone describes its 2026 Exterior Colour of the Year, Bark, as a “warm, transparent stain that enhances the natural grain of wood” and says it will elevate any outdoor structure, from decks, pergolas and sheds to fences and siding.

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“With Bark, the grain of the wood feels deeper, the texture more pronounced and the colour unmistakably natural,” says Kristen Gear, specialist, colour and graphic designer, BeautiTone Paint and Home Products.

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Behr Paint Company unveils its first-ever outdoor accent colour collection, a palette of 18 exterior paint colours designed to enhance and personalize outdoor spaces. Photo by SUPPLIED

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Behr Paint Company, meanwhile, has announced Taupe as its 2026 Exterior Stain Colour of the Year. The colour blends soft brown with gentle grey undertones. “Taupe brings a sense of harmony and balance to exterior spaces,” says Kayla Kratz, senior director of colour and design strategy at Behr Paint Company.

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Pairing Taupe with complementary BEHR^® stain colours is an easy way to introduce contrast and highlight architectural details like railings, trim and decking borders without a full renovation. Pair Taupe with warm tones like Cordovan Brown or cool tones like Pewter to create subtle contrast.

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The home’s original black roof was replaced with BP Canada’s Signature Soho shingles featuring a mix of dark brown, tan and grey tones. The original siding was replaced with new grey siding, and doors, front façade and trim accented with brown tones. Photo by SUPPLIED

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ROOFING

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If you’re looking to update the exterior of your home but are concerned about the budget, roofing and building material company BP Canada recommends dividing the task into annual projects.

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“In today’s challenging housing market, we’re seeing a trend towards homeowners investing in renovations rather than buying new properties and exterior upgrades are at the top of their list to both enhance and add value to their homes,” says Nathalie Lambert, marketing director of BP Canada. “Still, the effort and expense of tackling an exterior makeover can seem daunting.”

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BP Canada’s multi-year plan breaks down an exterior facelift into phases with a final project in mind. In the first year, it recommends replacing your roof’s shingles. “It’s no longer just about having a functional roof overhead but rather the trend is to combine durability with design and infuse roofing with colour and texture to significantly enhance the overall curb appeal and value of a home,” Lambert says.

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She recommends using multi-toned shingles for maximum beauty and to allow for flexibility to colour coordinate with other elements of a home’s façade over the course of the makeover. For example, a brown roof with hints of copper and beige or a black roof with grey and tan nuances may blend well with an existing exterior and will provide more options when it comes time to decide on hues for new siding, doors and trim.

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SIDING

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In the second year, BP Canada recommends replacing your home’s siding. Because siding is meant to last decades, colour selection is key, Lambert reminds. Coordinating the colour of siding with a home’s roof and trim can dramatically transform a home’s exterior.