If you’re looking to enhance your home’s curb appeal, starting with the exterior design is a great idea. Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see, so you want it to be impressive and welcoming. However, designing the exterior of your home can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding on a style, colors, and materials. But fear not, as we’re here to guide you on how to design your home exterior like a pro. This article will provide you with useful tips and tricks on how to create a beautiful and functional exterior for your home.
Factors to Consider Before Designing Your Home Exterior
Designing the exterior of your home is an exciting process as it sets the tone for your property and presents an opportunity to highlight your personal style. With a few careful considerations, you can create an eye-catching and functional exterior that blends perfectly with your surrounding environment. Here are some factors to consider before designing your home exterior:
Understanding the Neighborhood
The first and often overlooked factor to consider is the architectural style of the surrounding homes. Your home exterior must blend well with the already established styles of other homes in your area. For instance, if your neighborhood comprises traditional and classical homes, it would be unwise to opt for a modern or minimalist exterior design.
It is crucial that you consider the homogeneity as well as the heterogeneity of the neighborhood before setting your mind on any specific exterior design style. You can speak to a real estate agent or a local designer to get an idea of the styles that are most popular in your area, or take a stroll around the area and survey the neighboring homes to find a suitable style suitable for your home exterior.
Defining a Budget
Another important factor to consider before designing your home exterior is your budget. Your budget will determine the materials and elements you can afford to include or omit from the design. Be sure to set a realistic budget that includes allowances for unexpected expenses. You can consult with a local contractor or exterior designer to come up with a realistic budget for your project.
It is recommended that you prioritize essential elements such as the foundation, roof, and walls before moving to decorative elements. You can always add decorative elements such as outdoor lighting, planters, or garden sculptures as you save up for them.
Considering Your Lifestyle and Needs
Your exterior design should reflect your lifestyle and needs. If you have children, for example, ensure that any outdoor play areas are secure and easily supervised. If you frequently entertain guests, you may want to prioritize outdoor seating areas and ensure that there is ample space for parking.
You may also want to take into consideration any outdoor activities that you or your family members enjoy, such as swimming, gardening, or exercise. Such activities will help guide the placement and design of outdoor spaces such as patios, decks, and gardens.
Identifying Your Preferred Style
Lastly, identifying your preferred style is an essential factor to consider when designing your home exterior. Your style preferences will determine the shapes, colors, and textures that will be used in the exterior design.
Whether you prefer a traditional, colonial, or modern style, ensure that your selected style blends well with the surrounding environment as well as the architectural style of your home. Think about the atmosphere and overall feel that you want your home to exude and select elements that align with your preferred theme or style.
Choosing the Perfect Color Scheme for Your Home Exterior
Designing the exterior of your home can be a daunting task, and choosing the perfect color scheme is one of the most crucial decisions you will make. A well-chosen color scheme can increase the curb appeal, add value to your property, and reflect your personal style. Here are some tips on how to choose the perfect color scheme for your home exterior:
Think about color psychology
Colors have the power to evoke emotions and affect people’s moods. Before choosing a color scheme, think about the message you want to convey. For instance, red is a bold, attention-grabbing color that signifies passion, energy, and excitement. Blue, on the other hand, is a calming, peaceful color that represents trust, wisdom, and loyalty. Green is associated with nature, growth, and harmony, while yellow is cheerful, optimistic, and friendly. Choose a color scheme that matches your desired emotional response.
Consider the architecture style of the houses in your neighborhood
The architecture style of your house should be taken into account when choosing a color scheme. For example, a Victorian-style house may look best with vibrant, bold colors, while a ranch-style house may be better suited for earthy, neutral tones. You might also want to consider the age of your home. If you have a historic home, you could choose a vintage-inspired color scheme to complement its unique character.
Factor in the climate and natural surroundings
The climate and natural surroundings of your home should also be considered when choosing a color scheme. If you live in a hot, sunny climate, you might opt for lighter colors that reflect the heat. If you live in a cooler climate, darker colors might be more appropriate. Additionally, look at the landscaping surrounding your home. If you have a lot of lush greenery, you might want to choose a color scheme that complements it.
Gather inspiration from various sources
There are many sources of inspiration for choosing a color scheme for your home exterior, including magazines, Pinterest, home improvement shows, and even other houses in your neighborhood. Take a walk around your neighborhood and see what colors catch your eye. Consider taking pictures of houses with color schemes that you like. This will give you a better idea of what colors work well together and how they look in the real world.
Test the color on a small scale before making a final decision
Once you’ve narrowed down your color choices, it’s time to test them on a small scale. Buy a quart of paint and try it out on a small, inconspicuous area of your home, such as a section of the trim. Test the color at different times of the day to see how it looks in different lighting. You might be surprised at how different a color can look in the morning versus the afternoon. By testing the color first, you can avoid making a costly mistake.
Designing the Front of Your House
The exterior design of your home sets the tone for your entire property. Making an impression with the exterior of your house is a surefire way to turn heads and elevate the value of your home. Creating a stunning design for the front of your house is a task that should not be taken lightly. Let us take a look at some of the key elements that should be part of your exterior design strategy.
Create a Focal Point
The focal point is the most important aspect of the exterior design of your home. It should be designed with a combination of good taste and balance to attract visitors to your home, making your home appearance unforgettable. A great example of an effective focal point is a stunning entryway. It creates an instant impression, while also serving as the main point of entry into your home. A fancy fountain or water feature can also serve as an excellent focal point for the front of your house. As you embark on selecting a focal point, keep in mind that it should be in line with the overall theme of your house.
Incorporate Landscaping Elements
Your landscaping elements should blend with your home’s architecture for an appealing and cohesive look. Adding trees, shrubs, colorful flowers, and other plants can enhance the beauty of the front yard, making it more appealing for guests and visitors. Choose long-lasting and low-maintenance elements for your front yard to ensure they stay healthy and beautiful for years to come. Shrubbery should be well-maintained and trimmed to give your home a clean and well-groomed look. Grass should be kept neat too.
Choose the Right Front Door Style
The style of your front door sets the tone for your home’s entire exterior design. As such, selecting the right front door style is essential. Your front door should be designed to match the size and style of your house. Consider the color, architecture, and overall aesthetic of the house before making a decision. The right color for your front door depends on the existing colors in your landscaping theme. A bold color that complements the existing palette is always a great choice to make the right statement.
Add Exterior Lighting
Another way to create a stunning exterior design for the front of your house is to add exterior lighting. Adding lights can add depth and dimension to your property as well as provide an element of safety. The right outdoor lighting will enhance your landscaping and complement your home’s architecture. Consider adding path lights to illuminate the walkway to your front door. Sconces on either side of the front door can also add a touch of elegance to your home’s exterior. An exterior light fixture that enhances the house’s overall aesthetic can add significant value and curb appeal to your home.
Utilize Outdoor Decor
Outdoor decor is an excellent way to provide visual interest and draw attention to your home’s exterior. Consider adding a cozy bench, a charming birdbath, an outdoor rug, or even a stone statue to create a focal point in your front yard. Outdoor decor comes in various colors, designs, and styles and is therefore versatile enough to match your home’s exterior aesthetic. Keep in mind that you should choose decor that is relatively low-maintenance to avoid adding too much work to your overall property upkeep.
Designing the Sides and Back of Your House
When designing the exterior of your house, don’t forget about the sides and back. While the front may be the focal point, it’s important to make the entire exterior of your home aesthetically pleasing and functional. Here are some tips to elevate the design of the sides and back of your house.
Incorporate Privacy Measures
One of the reasons you may want to focus on the sides and back of your house is to add privacy to your outdoor living spaces. Consider installing a fence, building a green wall, or planting tall hedges to create a barrier between your outdoor living area and the rest of the world.
Another way to create privacy is to add a pergola or gazebo with flowing curtains to block views from neighbors or the street. You can also install outdoor shades or shutters to create a cozy, private atmosphere.
Play with Textures and Materials
As with the front of your house, texture and materials are key to designing the sides and back of your house. Mixing textures and materials adds depth and interest to your outdoor living areas. For example, using wood as an accent against stucco or brick can create a cozy, modern look.
Similarly, stone or brick walls can add stability and warmth to a more modern exterior design. You can also choose from a host of materials such as metal, glass or tile to create a unique texture and vibe.
Balance Your Design with Symmetry or Asymmetry
When designing the exterior of your home, it’s important to balance symmetry and asymmetry, especially on the sides and back. While you may want to go for a totally asymmetrical look, it’s best to mix and match these elements to create a flowing and balanced design.
You can use textured materials like different colored bricks or a mix of siding to create texture and depth. Picking a single color to paint all the walls of your house will make it appear bigger, and by extension, more imposing. A good way to maintain balance is to play with the size and placement of your windows and doors. You can explore more design possibilities by mixing several window sizes and shapes to create a stunning and unique appearance.
Add Functional Features
The sides and back of your house can be utilized for more than just privacy and design. Incorporating storage options can keep clutter off the ground and out of sight. One of the best ways to achieve this is by installing shelves, hooks, or cabinets inside your outdoor walls. This can provide you with functional storage options, without taking up precious external space.
You can also add an outdoor living space like a balcony, deck, or screened porch. These features are perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying warm summer nights outdoors. Plus, they add value to your home, making it a wise long-term investment.
Maintaining Your Home Exterior Design
Regular cleaning and upkeep of your exterior features, such as your roof, gutters, and siding, can help preserve your home exterior design. In this section, we will discuss 5 ways to maintain your home exterior design.
Regular Inspection
Performing regular inspections of your home exterior can help identify any potential issues before they become major problems. Walk around your home and inspect the roof, gutters, siding, windows, and doors for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Look for cracks, dents, holes, or missing pieces. Check for loose or damaged flashing, caulking, or weatherstripping. If you notice any issues, have them repaired or replaced promptly.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts play a critical role in channeling water away from your home. Over time, they can become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, leading to water damage and mold growth. Regularly cleaning your gutters and downspouts can prevent these problems. Use a ladder, gloves, and a hose to remove any debris. You can also use a pressure washer or a gutter cleaning tool.
Pressure Wash Siding
Siding can accumulate dirt, grime, mildew, and algae, making your home look dull and dirty. Pressure washing is an effective way to clean your siding and restore its original beauty. However, be careful not to use too much pressure, which can damage the siding or force water inside your home. Choose a low-pressure setting and use a mild detergent. Test a small area first and avoid spraying directly at windows or doors.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs can enhance your home exterior design by adding color, texture, and privacy. However, they can also damage your home if they grow too close to the roof, gutters, siding, or foundation. Overhanging branches can scratch the roof or drop leaves and debris. Roots can damage the foundation or sewer lines. Regularly trim your trees and shrubs to keep them at a safe distance from your home.
Repaint and Seal
The paint and sealant on your home exterior can fade, crack, or peel over time, leaving your home vulnerable to water damage, rot, or insect infestation. Repainting and sealing can protect your home and give it a fresh look. Choose high-quality paint and sealant that are compatible with your siding and climate. Clean the surface first and repair any damage. Apply two coats and let them dry completely. Consider hiring a professional painter for best results.
FAQs
When it comes to home exterior design, there are numerous factors to consider. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started:
What is the best paint type for home exteriors?
Selecting the perfect paint for your home’s exterior can be daunting. However, some types of paint are more durable and weather-resistant than others. Acrylic paint and elastomeric paint are popular choices for home exteriors. These paints provide excellent resistance to heat, humidity, and UV rays. They also expand and contract with temperature changes, making them ideal for regions with fluctuating weather conditions.
What is curb appeal and how does it relate to home exterior design?
Curb appeal refers to the visual attractiveness of your home from the street. A well-designed home exterior can enhance your curb appeal and increase your property’s value. To improve your home’s curb appeal, you should focus on the exterior design elements, such as landscaping, lighting, paint, and materials. These elements should be coordinated to create a cohesive and visually appealing look.
How can I incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly elements in my home exterior design?
Green and sustainable alternatives are becoming increasingly popular in home design. The exterior of your home is no exception. Some ways to incorporate eco-friendly elements in your home exterior design are:
- Use sustainable building materials such as bamboo, recycled plastic, and reclaimed wood.
- Install solar panels to generate renewable energy for your home.
- Plant a green roof to help regulate your home’s temperature naturally and reduce your energy consumption.
- Install permeable pavement to reduce water run-off and filter pollutants from entering ground water.
What are some common architectural styles and how do I choose one for my home?
There are numerous architectural styles, and selecting one for your home can be overwhelming. Some common architectural styles include:
| Style | Description | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial | Inspired by early American and European architecture. | Symmetry, dormer windows, and shutters. |
| Craftsman | Originally from the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century. | Exposed rafters, front porches, and decorative brackets. |
| Mediterranean | Popular in warmer regions such as California and Florida. | Clay roof tiles, stucco walls, and arched windows. |
| Ranch | Originated in the 1920s and became popular in the post-World War II era. | Low-pitched roofs, attached garages, and open floor plans. |
When choosing an architectural style for your home, consider factors such as your personal taste, the climate of your region, and the style and age of neighboring homes.
Thanks for Stopping By and Happy Designing!
Designing the exterior of your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you follow the steps we laid out for you. Remember that the exterior of your home is the first thing people see, so make sure to put your best foot forward. Take your time, consider your options, and have fun with it! Thanks for reading, and we hope you visit again soon for more tips and inspiration on exterior design.