New Year. New Exterior Design.

New Year. New Exterior Design.
Home Exterior
Image Courtesy of Loving Life and Lilly

With the new year comes changes. Earlier, in New Year. New Interior Design. we discussed some of the most common changes that take place when updating a home’s interior design. Then we thought, “Why should a home’s interior get all the attention?”

We didn’t think it was fair either. So, we’re going to cover some common updates that are made to home’s exteriors and what’s possible with different home styles.

Common Updates to Home Exteriors

As it is with interior design, the most common update to a home’s exterior is new paint. It is also the one change that can have the most dramatic impact.

Whether you plan on going with a new completely new set of colors or simply want to freshen up the look with the current color, a little bit of paint can go a long way.

If you aren’t looking for a large project or trying to avoid major expenses, there are a number of things you can paint within a day and without having to hire a professional. These include window and door trims, shutters and the front door.

Another common exterior update is to alter the landscaping. While changing the landscaping isn’t technically a change to the home itself, the impact it can have on the home’s overall appearance is significant.

Unkempt landscaping can make a home appear much worse and can actually decrease the home’s perceived value. Which is one of the reasons why realtors stress maintaining a pristine landscape when trying to sell your home, as this is the first thing people will see.

Look at your landscaping as the frame for the beautiful picture that is your home.

Landscaping can be updated with by planting new flowers and shrubs or by replanting current ones using a different layout. Framing flower gardens with paving stones or other elements can add another layer of dimension to the landscaping.

Perhaps the one thing that can have more of an impact than a new paint color is to use new materials to dress your home’s exterior. Depending on the project you decide to take on, this can be a bit costly.

For example, refacing your home with brick or stone in lieu of stucco or wood dramatically changes the look of the home and practically makes it look brand new. Adding a covered porch like the one seen below can also add to your quality of life while increasing the value of your home.

Home Exterior - Homelement Furniture Design
Image Courtesy of Loving Life and Lilly

Different Home Styles

The amount of home styles is immense, although there are a few that are more common than others. Ones that are more commonly seen include Arts & Crafts, Cape Cod, Colonial, Contemporary, Ranch, Row House, Tudor Revivals and Victorians.

They types of homes you’re likely to see greatly depends upon where you are, as many of them are specifically-suited for different regions of the world.

We are looking forward to exploring ways to help you make the outside of your home just as beautiful as it is inside. Because, unfortunately, books are judged by their covers all the time. Even if you live in a building, we’ll have tips and ideas for making your home as welcoming as possible.

So join us and give your home some serious curb appeal.