The Exterior Renovation Secrets Everyone Forgets
By: Alexis B.
When it comes to exterior renovation, it’s easy to go straight to the obvious: siding, paint, and roofing. While these are all great choices, they’re just part of the bigger story of your home. After years of helping others with their curb appeal, we’ve learned that the little details are what really pull the look together. Below, we’ll share all the exterior renovation secrets that can turn your home from “That’s nice” into “Woah, who’s your designer?”
1. Never Forget: Landscaping is Part of the Architecture
Landscaping isn’t just the annoying green stuff you deal with once the paint dries – it should be part of your design plan from day one!
Think of your landscape as your home’s frame. A well-placed row of boxwoods or structured ornamental grasses can ground your home visually, while curved pathways and intentional hardscaping can draw the eye right to that gorgeous porch you just updated.
Remember, layered plantings add depth. Maintain symmetry to keep your home looking balanced.
2. Lighting is a Mood-Setter
Don’t be that home at the end of the street that disappears when the sun goes down. Lighting is a must to keep your home shining all day long!
Well-placed exterior lighting creates ambiance, adds safety, and makes your home look incredible in photos. Consider uplighting some trees, backlighting a block wall, or popping in path lighting with a warm glow. These little details can give your home a whole new vibe.
Be sure to choose fixtures that match your home’s aesthetic. These should be the jewelry of your home’s exterior, so don’t just grab the cheapest option at your nearest big box store.
3. An Overlooked Exterior Renovation Secret: Gutters and Downspouts Matter!
Yes, gutters and downspouts are functional, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring.
Consider upgrading yours to black or copper for contrast, or match them to your trim for a more seamless look. It’s one of those exterior renovation secrets that’s subtle, but wildly effective. We’ve seen homes look instantly more modern just by swapping out the standard white gutters.
Want your home to look like a pro designed it? Consider oversized square downspouts in a matte finish for a sleek and intentional look.
4. Don’t Sleep on the Small Stuff: Mailboxes, House Numbers, and Hardware
Nothing ruins a fresh paint job like slapping up some rusty home numbers and a dented mailbox afterward. These are the things visitors see first, so they should be as confident and stylish as the rest of your home!
Coordinate your hardware to give your entrance a fully curated look, such as by combining matte black numbers with a brushed brass mailbox. Tying it all together with your front door hardware can make your home stand out even more.
5. Highlighting Your Roof Color is an Exterior Renovation Secret, Too
If your home is a different color from the rest of your home’s vibe, it can throw off your entire exterior. You don’t need to run out and re-roof immediately, but it is worth considering how your roof color affects everything from trim to siding to the hue of your front door.
If you have a warm-toned roof, consider sticking with similarly warm exterior colors to create harmony. Same with if you have cool-toned shingles.
6. Placement is Everything
Contrast can add visual interest, but not all contrast is created equal. Tossing dark shutters onto a light house with no other balance can make things look choppy fast.
Instead, look at your home like a whole outfit. Maybe it’s creamy stucco with warm wood shutters and black trim, or a deep charcoal siding with white window frames and a vibrant front door. The contrast should feel intentional, not random.
Pro Tip: Use contrast to highlight your home’s best features, like rooflines, porches, or trim work.
7. Trim is a Power Move
Trim is like your home’s eyeliner – it can either subtly enhance or completely transform the face of your home.
Wider trim adds more drama and elegance, while colored trim can add depth and contrast. Even updating tired white trim with a soft greige or deep taupe can give your home a fresh, finished look.
Don’t forget eaves, fascia, and soffits as part of your trim, too!
8. Test Your Home’s Exterior All Day Long
It’s easy to forget that your home will look different as the day goes on. Morning light, golden hour, and cloudy days can all make your home look different.
We highly recommend testing paint samples on all sides of your home before choosing colors. Take photos at different times of day to see how they look. What looks warm and creamy at 10 a.m. might look more peachy-orange at 3 p.m. Samplize is a great option to see different colors at different times of day!
A color that looks good in every light will give you the timeless exterior you’re looking for!
9. Your Garage Door Needs a Promotion
Your garage door takes up more visual real estate on your exterior than your front door, yet it’s not always included in the design conversation.
Upgrading your garage door style, material, or color can completely shift how your home looks. Whether you opt for sleek modern panel design or a faux wood finish, your garage door can give tons of energy if you let it.
Match your garage door with other key accents like trim and shutters to create a cohesive look all around!
Final Thoughts: Exterior Renovation Secrets Are All About the Details
Truthfully, these exterior renovation secrets might not be the first things on your to-do list, but they should be. Together, they create a cohesive, elevated home that’s totally you.
When in doubt, think like a designer. Every detail is a chance to reinforce your home’s story. And if you still need help, we’re here for you! Get started on your virtual exterior design today so you can see every choice before you commit.
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