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It is time to upgrade your home’s exterior. You’re out there looking for ideas, and you understand that balancing colors, and matching shapes and lines is no easy task at all! In fact, we would barely recommend a novice designer to deal with it.
You want an exterior that is more visually appealing. What should you so?
Image source: KZ Architecture
To start with, have in mind that the jaw-dropping house that makes you gawk in awe of its uniqueness was not an once-in-a-lifetime idea: it was a result of long planning and compliance with basic exterior design lessons.
Of course, the highlight of the process is to be creative, but there are few exterior design tips everybody should follow in order to make his project visually appealing.
So, how to create your dream house? Let’s check:
Define the purpose
Image source: Harold Leidner Landscape Architects
Before you choose a solution from a design standpoint, think of your needs and the needs of your family. It may not seem relevant at the beginning, but it is really important to have a home whose exterior matches the interior.
For instance, if you’re an artist looking to have his private painting atelier, you should consider large windows to provide you access to natural light.
You could also add a granny suite on top of the garage to balance the windows and to create an additional dormer. Whatever you do, have in mind that the interior and exterior are connected, and that the connection needs to be visible.
Materials and textures
Image source: FINNE Architects
Exterior design doesn’t provide too much room for excessive decoration, which is why materials and textures have the central role, and you need to choose them carefully.
Once again, the task will require some balancing effort, this time in the direction of using something both durable and visually appealing.
Luckily, the choice goes all the way from wood to steel, and it won’t be difficult to find the right ones and to combine them.
At the same time, exterior materials are expensive, so we don’t recommend you to make decisions without consulting an architect.
Image source: Landsted Companies, LLC
Still, the fact that you exterior has to be practical and durable doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the reflection of your personal style – those who enjoy spending time in their yard shouldn’t give up on their brick/tumbled stone ideas, the same as minimalists should keep their wooden/steel panels.
In case you’re running short of ideas, there is a variety of amazing inline tools which can show you how your place would look when you add certain pieces.
Without them it will be hard to decide between cedar shingles and vinyl sidings, for instance, because you won’t have the 3D picture of how that would look once applied.
The balance between symmetry and shape
Image source: thirdstone inc. [^]
Well-executed projects in exterior design (as in design in general) require shapes to be balanced and symmetrical. Both principles play an incredibly important role when working on the façade, which has to look both beautiful and carefully planned.
You can go for a completely symmetrical solution (Georgian houses, for instance, where the door is centered with the windows equally flank on both sides), or to achieve balance using dormers and roof lines with equal distance between them.
Efficient windowing
Image source: McClellan Architects
That’s true, windows are supposed to be beautiful and to match the rest of your décor, but the priority should always be their efficiency and durability.
There are few window types that satisfy both the aesthetic and the practical requirement, as for instance picture windows, casement, bay and bow, double-hang, and sliding windows that offer more ventilation.
Colors in exterior design
Image source: Northern Sky Developments
How could someone make an instant decision with all those marvelous colors to choose from? To start with, one has to decide whether he wants his outdoors to be basic or bolder, and the nuance comes just afterward.
The thing with colors is that they don’t just look nice – they need to stand the test of time, and to hide flaws in a way they will become completely invisible. Tough process, isn’t it?
The safest way to choose colors is to decide for a single color strip, and to go for two distant shades from that strip. Ideally, there should be a lighter shade for the body and a darker one for the trim.
A third color is not highly desirable, but you can use it to punctuate the doors/windows.
A memorable entrance
Image source: Richard Drummond Davis Architects
The entryway is always a critical point to decorate, because that’s the first things visitors see when coming to your place.
You need to make sure that they will remember it, and to use interesting features and lighting fixtures to strengthen the overall appeal.
Custom doors are a wonderful idea to personalize your exterior, and they even cost less traditional ones.
Lighting fixtures
Image source: Domiteaux + Baggett Architects, PLLC
Outdoor lighting is important both from the appearance perspective, but also because of the sense of safety and security during the night.
If you want to deviate from conventional lighting, consider accent fixtures that make your beautiful décor stand out.
At the same time, make sure you’ve chosen a lighting system similar to the indoor one, in order to avoid a disconnected look.
For instance, modern homes will look better with angular steel lights, while traditional ones will ask you to preserve their charming lantern-style lighting with flanked garages or chandelier-decorated entryways.
Once again – make sure that your outdoors is well lit and that its beauty is visible even during the night.
An appropriate roof
Image source: CMM Construction Inc.
Your house’s roof is one of the parts where aesthetics matter the least – your imperative task is to choose a durable one.
The options are very diverse, depending on the quality and life-expectancy. When discussing durability, we’d probably recommend tile or slate, but note that these materials are heavy and that not every house can carry such load.
As an alternative, you could choose common asphalt shingles, because they’re both affordable and easy to install.
Another material you probably didn’t consider for your home is wood (it has a life expectancy of 25 years!), or even metal which is most appropriate for modern projects.
Walkways and driveways
Image source: Harwick Homes
The same as the door, walkways and driveways are leading visitors to your home, and they should thereof be appealing and welcoming.
The good news is that the makeover will take little effort, as for instance adding a coat of fresh paint or replacing pavers.
The importance of landscaping
Image source: Cablik Enterprises
Let’s be honest: a single tree plunked in the front yard cannot be called landscaping. A beautiful house deserves a beautiful garden, with jaw-dropping flower arrangements and well-placed plants.
Your yard is the most memorable part of your outdoor area, so make sure people will admire it.
Choosing the right plants is more of a personal choice, but we recommend you to look for plants that can survive in local soils, or to ask for professional advice.
Greenhouse employees are quite knowledgeable when it comes to landscaping, and they can help you to create a wonderful garden.
Skylights for additional light
Image source: My House Design Build Team
Use skylights to bring sun inside when windows are not properly placed. Alongside the wonderful view on the sky, you’ll get a charming and fresh home that looks amazing from the outside.
When technically feasible, skylights can even be installed in decks and yards.
Garage doors
Image source: White Room
You may not give garage doors such importance when it comes to exterior decoration, but they’re still there, and they can make or break the entire project.
What needs to be considered here is not style, but rather insulation, durability, and safety, so consider going to a reputable vendor who can offer a fair price and a warranty.
Once you’re done with the mechanical part of the process, think about a style and decorations that can match the rest of your exterior. You can opt for classic steel doors or carriage designs – the ideas are just endless!