Simple Exterior Updates Elevate Colonial Style Home

By:

Kara M. was eager to make some adjustments to the exterior of her colonial style home. While she wasn’t looking for any dramatic overhauls, she wanted to make a few strategic upgrades to transform her exterior.

While she had a general idea of what she was looking for, she was struggling to determine how to make her vision a reality. With so many choices to make — from high-impact decisions like the color palette and siding type to small details like gutters and house numbers — she couldn’t seem to create a cohesive plan. Luckily, she found brick&batten’s virtual exterior design services that make the entire process simple from start to finish.

Read on to discover how making several small updates to Kara’s exterior had a big impact on the curb appeal.

Ready to make some changes to your exterior? Whether you want to explore a new color palette or update the finishes on your shutters, garage, or front door, brick&batten can help. Our team of design experts will partner with you to understand your style and preferences. After an initial consultation, we’ll create a photorealistic rendering that lets you see exactly what your new exterior will look like. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Exterior of a two-story colonial-style home with siding and a brown roof.

The before

Before beginning the design process with brick&batten, Kara felt her home was falling flat. The beige exterior had monochromatic trim, brown shutters, a brown roof, and white windows. This neutral, earthy palette didn’t feel modern and was lacking dimension.

Kara knew she wanted to make some upgrades, but she wasn’t sure how to create a cohesive plan for her exterior. To get started, she began looking around online for inspiration.

We researched online homes that had a similar colonial style to our home to have ideas for ways to update. It was difficult to determine how a different color shutter or trim would look on our home. When I came across brick&batten online, I saw many before and after pictures and I simply loved them. 

After discovering brick&batten’s virtual exterior design services, she knew it was the ideal, low-stress way to visualize a new look and transform her exterior.

Realistic photo rendering of a home exterior featuring gray siding and wooden accents.

The design

Kara found that working with brick&batten was seamless from the start. She shared what she liked and disliked about her current exterior, and our team created a photorealistic rendering with a new color palette and new finishes that took her current exterior and elevated it to a sleek style.

Through the process, we were able to identify things that we were not changing such as the windows. We wanted some type of change for the front door, and we selected a general color idea for the siding.

The brick&batten team first selected Seal Gray siding by Jamies Hardie to create a richer, more dramatic overall exterior. This light gray shade with brown undertones is the perfect neutral hue with a hint of warmth. To complement Seal Gray, we recommended James Hardie trim in White Whicker. This cool, gray-toned white added the perfect dimension to complement the all-over gray siding. 

Both siding styles from Jamies Hardie are crafted from durable fiber cement, offering a long-term exterior solution for Kara’s home. Made from a mix of plant-based fibers, cement, and sand, fiber cement siding is moisture-resistant and requires little upkeep, making it a low-maintenance and stylish exterior solution for all homes — including colonial style homes like Kara’s. 

Warm wood finishes and metal accents completed Kara’s design to create a bold, modern look. Black house numbers, faux copper gutters, and black planters and light fixtures create a sleek feel. When paired with a dark walnut stain on the front door, garage, and columns, it creates the perfect balance between organic textures and the home’s traditional siding. 

Realistic photo rendering of a two-story colonial-style home with gray vertical siding.

Using her free revision, Kara updated a few of the design elements to ensure she was 100 percent happy with the final look. While we kept the color palette of Seal Gray and White Whicker, the brick&batten designers adjusted the orientation of the siding, offering a modern twist on the traditional look for Kara’s colonial style home.

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND SAMPLING AND TESTING PAINT COLORS BEFORE COMMITTING. FACTORS SUCH AS NATURAL LIGHTING, UNDERTONES, AND YOUR PROPERTY’S FIXED ELEMENTS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW A COLOR WILL APPEAR ON YOUR EXTERIOR. OUR FRIENDS AT SAMPLIZE OFFER EXTRA-LARGE 9 X 14.75 INCH PEEL-AND-STICK PAINT SAMPLES OF THE COLORS WE LOVE FOR EXTERIORS. ORDER YOUR ‘REAL PAINT, NO MESS’ SAMPLES FROM SAMPLIZE HERE.

Photo of two-story colonial home exterior with grey siding and dark walnut wooden accents.

 The process

Once the design was finalized and Kara had her design deliverable, she was able to assemble a local team to bring her vision to life.

We worked with Lang Exteriors for our remodel. We shared our before-and-after brick&batten design, and they did an excellent job taking the exterior picture and turning it into a reality. They were able to replicate the design and assist with any questions we had. 

Using her brick&batten design deliverable, Kara’s team was able to transform her home in just over six months. The team updated the siding, windows, garage, front door, and exterior fixtures to create a rich, neutral exterior color palette with depth and dimension. 

Photo of two-story colonial home exterior with grey siding and a dark walnut garage door, front door, and accents.

The actual after

Once Kara’s team completed the transformation, the small upgrades that had been made to the exterior had a huge impact. The color palette and rich wood accents added warmth, while the classic siding style helped maintain the traditional feel of her colonial style home.

We are extremely pleased with our design. It updated our home and added items to give the home a special character. I think if we had attempted the project without the exterior design, we would have improved our home’s exterior, but with brick&batten we were able to give a ‘wow’ factor.

Once complete, the earthy gray siding pairs perfectly with the walnut finish on the garage and front doors, along with the wood beams above the first-floor windows. Black light fixtures near the garage and front door add stylish contrast to the colonial style home.

Angled shot of a two-story home exterior showcasing gray siding and wooden garage door.

Simple exterior upgrades for a colonial style home that stand out

Transforming your home’s exterior doesn’t need to require a complete overhaul. Instead of starting from scratch, making several small, intentional changes can have an equally dramatic effect. When seen together, these incremental changes easily allow you to create your dream exterior.

From making simple paint color swaps to updating outdated garage doors or shutters, strategically upgrading certain design details can help you infuse your exterior with a stylish look. If you’re not sure where to start, consider enlisting the help of seasoned design experts. Like Kara, you can achieve impressive results for your exterior.

At brick&batten, our team is experienced in transforming homes and businesses of all shapes, sizes, and styles. After a consultation with our designers, you will receive a customized design deliverable. You’ll also have the chance to make any changes using your included free revision. Once your deliverable is finalized, you’ll have all of the details and resources you need to transform your exterior. Begin your project today!

Author

Hannah is an experienced copywriter, journalist, and content writer who loves bringing brands to life. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Boston University, Hannah spent a decade in New York City honing her skills by working on in-house creative teams for global brands like Estee Lauder, Douglas Elliman, Tiffany & Co., and Groupon. She also partners with small businesses across industries — from interior design to real estate to tech — to help bring their brands to life through print and digital content. Hannah recently relocated back to the greater Boston area, where she loves exploring the city’s different neighborhoods by way of new restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.