Exterior Design

exterior design tips

Top 10 Exterior Design Tips To Make Your Home Stand Out

So you have been standing in the driveway looking back at your house and you are not impressed by what you see. It’s time to consider changing the exterior to a more jaw-dropping design.

However, compared to renovating the interior, the exterior requires a lot more work. This is why it is important not to rush anything and to take your time to be creative.
Once you are confident with your ideas on how to improve the exterior of your home, then you can get cracking and share them with your designer.

Here are a few exterior design tips that you may want to consider.

Exterior Design Tips

1. Consider the Interior

It seems like an odd place to start but if the exterior of the house doesn’t match with the interior then the disconnect will be easily noticeable by anyone who comes to visit.
Secondly, consider the needs of both you and your family members. If you like to spend a lot of time indoors, then the last thing you want are darkrooms. In this case, you may want to consider installing large windows.

Talking about windows, nothing beats the rays of light in the morning when the sun starts to rise. Install windows in a way that they collect the morning rays and deliver them into the bedroom without shining directly on your face.

2. The Materials to Use

Compared to the interior of the house, the materials that you can use for your exterior are limited. Because of this, it is important that you choose materials that fulfill the goal you want to achieve. In other words, the materials you choose should allow you to design a great looking exterior.

Furthermore, they should also be durable and functional. Luckily, there are still a variety of materials that you can work with including wood, brick, concrete, and even glass.
If you enjoy spending your time in the yard, choose materials that you enjoy to look at. After all, it is your house so personal taste matters.

You can always view online images of houses made with a certain material to get an idea of how your house will turn out. Note that exterior materials are expensive so it is a good idea to consult with your designer before making any further steps.

3. How About the Roof?

The roof should be in one word – appropriate. This means that it should fit in with the exterior design. That said, the materials used to construct the roof need to be durable and last the lifetime of the house.
For instance, wood can be expected to last 25 years while metal can last a lifetime. They should also double up to boost the aesthetics of the house.

4. Choosing Colors

Choosing the right color for your home’s exterior can be one of the most challenging parts of exterior design. After all, there are plenty of different colors that you can choose from. That said, a great place to start is to consider your favorite colors and decide on whether you want the exterior of your home to look bright or bold.

Often a single color will do for the main body of the house. You can also choose a darker shade for the trim. What’s more, you can choose a third color for the windows and doors. It is an art of balancing the different sections while also factoring in the environment.

 

5. Achieving Symmetry

You want things to look like a highly qualified professional did the exterior design. This is why symmetry and lines are important. Each side of the house should be neatly planned to provide visual appeal.

The eye can notice minute discrepancies in the design. If you notice this every time you drive home, then you are likely to be dissatisfied with the exterior design. This is why you are better off dealing with qualified professionals including designers and architects.

6. Careful Placement of Windows

Whichever design that you choose, it is paramount to choose windows that complement your style. There are different types of windows that you can choose from including the double hang, picture windows, sliding windows, bath, and bow as well as casement windows.
The windows need to be carefully placed. They should offer convenience when you are in the house. Moreover, they should also be durable and efficient.

7. Make the Entrance Remarkable

The entrance of your house is the first thing that visitors are greeted with. It is important therefore to create a memorable and inviting entrance that draws people towards the front door.
One of the ways that you can achieve this is by installing lighting fixtures that’re simply stunning. You can also choose to install custom doors.
These two options provide a great way to personalize the exterior of your home.

8. The Walkways

The driveways and walkways lead people to your house and should, therefore, play their part in boosting the appeal. One way to achieve this is through exterior lighting. You can play around with your imagination and install lighting fixtures on either side of the pavements to illuminate the way to the house.

Exterior Design Tips

9. Speaking of Lighting Fixtures

Exterior lighting serves two main purposes. Firstly it accentuates the look and the décor and second, it illuminates the surrounding area at night thereby boosting security.
When choosing your lighting, consider the interior lighting and get something similar for the exterior. This helps to prevent any disconnect.
Consider the exterior décor and choose lighting fixtures that complement and accentuate it. For instance, if you have a traditional look, lantern-like light fixtures are a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a modern or contemporary exterior then angular steel lights can work perfectly.

10. Landscaping

So you have achieved the perfect exterior. However, everything is not complete until the yard looks stunning and inviting. For this, you will need to do a bit of landscaping.
This will involve plants that are not just beautiful and well-arranged but can also withstand the various seasons, the temperature, and the soils.
Talk to a professional landscaper and work with them to choose the ideal plants for your garden.

Final Thoughts on Exterior Design Tips

Designing and renovating the exterior of your house will make it memorable and will have you looking forward to getting home. Note however that this will eat up a huge chunk of your budget so make sure you have done proper research on the costs and expenses.