Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior With These 5 House Number Rules
By: Cassie McDowell
We have found five rules of address numbers that will make you want to change yours today. House numbers are becoming quite a thing in home exterior design. They can add style to your home exterior. It’s such an inexpensive and interesting way to add to your home’s appeal. With millions of options in color, font, and style, it’s easy to feel like you need a little help to make the best choice of address numbers for your home’s exterior. The bottom line, you want your numbers to feel cohesive with your home, complement your personality, and be displayed correctly.
5 Rules of Address Numbers:
Rule #1.
Size and Visibility
After doing some digging, you may find your city has an ordinance to keep address numbers visible. Be sure to find this out before ordering the wrong size house number. That said, if size isn’t an issue, you need to think of function. You should be able to see your numbers from the street.
Beyond the basic requirement of visibility, you should consider the aesthetic impact and practicality of your choice. The ideal house number size and style can significantly enhance the look and feel of your home’s exterior, serving not just as a functional necessity but also as an opportunity to showcase your personal style.
Whether your home sits close to the street or further back, selecting the right size ensures your address makes a statement, both in style and function. For a visual guide on choosing the perfect size based on your home’s distance from the street, take a look at the infographic below.
Rule #2.
Contrast
When making your house number selection, think about where your numbers are going to be mounted. If you’re mounting numbers on a dark home, then black numbers may not be your best bet. If you’re mounting your numbers on a red brick home then a plaque may be nice so the numbers aren’t lost in the texture and grout.
Rule #3.
Material
Nothing is worse than old rusty address numbers falling off the front of your house or mailbox. Normal house numbers have to put up with a lot of wear and tear being out in the environment. Choose powder-coated numbers or another durable material that will last.
Rule #4.
Style
The style of your home should semi-dictate the style of your house numbers. Does that mean if you have a traditional home your address numbers need to be traditional? Not necessarily. But it does mean acting with caution.
Traditional Home, Try This:
Traditional house numbers should blend with the design and brick. You wouldn’t do a red number or boxy looking address. Think the numbers you learned in kindergarten. Simple. That said, you can also do a fancier script house number, but they should always be easy to read. Check out these designs at Modern House Numbers.
Modern or Contemporary Home, Try This:
Modern or contemporary homes can go with a little larger and more edgy vibe. Silver, dark bronze, matte brass, and even colored house address numbers are more acceptable. That said, when in doubt, keep it simple.
Farmhouse, Try This:
If you own a modern farmhouse you can break the rules a little bit. You can go traditional or modern. You can use a backdrop of wood or mount your house address numbers on a column in front. With that in mind, keep the colors easy with black, silver, dark bronze, or matte brass.
Rule #5.
Display
There are many ways to display your house numbers but the goal is that they are seen from the street. That said, a number missing off a mailbox post or address numbers covered in landscaping isn’t the best way to go.
If you’re wondering where your house numbers should be placed, it’s important to consider visibility and aesthetics. Ideally, house numbers should be placed at eye level or higher, in a location free from obstructions like overgrown foliage or seasonal decorations.
You should also consider the path of illumination at night. Placing house numbers near a light source makes them easily spotted after dark. For homes with a long driveway or set back from the road, attaching numbers to a gate or fence closer to the street can be more effective.
Integrating house numbers into your home’s design, such as on a custom plaque or directly on the facade, can add a touch of personal style while keeping them prominent. Remember, the placement isn’t just about being practical. It’s also an opportunity to enhance your home’s first impression.
Gate in Front, Try This:
If you have a gate in front of your house, this is the perfect opportunity to add address numbers to the gate post or gate itself.
Light it Up, Try This:
Showing your address numbers in lights is a great way to draw attention to them. Modern House Numbers shows their So-Cal Style and 12” size.
Mailbox Post, Try This:
If your mailbox post lends itself to address numbers, skip the stick on letters that kind of adhere to your mailbox and try mounting them to your mailbox post.
On a Plaque, Try This:
An address plaque is an excellent way to jazz things up a little bit. I love the wooden plaques with black house numbers. On a farmhouse this is hard to beat!
Above Your Garage, Try This:
House numbers above your garage are easy to see and make a beautiful statement.
Overall, your house numbers are a great way to accent your home and show some of your personal style. Use these five rules of address numbers as inspiration to make a change. After all, address numbers are becoming quite a thing in home exterior design and an inexpensive way to add to your home’s curb appeal.
If you’re looking for a partner in home exterior design, we’d love to help you get started. Find out what you can do today to bring out the best in your home.
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