Design Secrets for a Welcoming Home Retreat
By: Hannah Warne
There’s so much more to your exterior than the perfect color palette or the right siding. Creating a welcoming home retreat requires thoughtfully selecting every design element to create a warm and approachable look.
Read on to get our top tips and tricks to help amp up the charm to make your home feel as inviting as possible.
If you’re ready to create a welcoming home retreat, the brick&batten team can help. As experts at exterior design, we’ll help you choose every design detail, big and small, to bring your exterior vision to life. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Incorporate multiple types of outdoor lighting
When designing interiors, adding multiple types of lighting like intense overhead bulbs and softer table lamps helps you switch up the brightness in your space to create the perfect ambiance. The same is true of outdoor lighting. When designing your exterior, incorporate multiple lighting sources so you can adjust as needed.
Sconces on the front porch, a pendant light hanging from a portico, or in-ground lighting to highlight your landscaping are all practical and pretty additions to your exterior design. For backyards, decks, and patios, bistro lights are also a pretty addition. Mix and match these different outdoor lighting styles to find the perfect blend for your home to create a welcoming and warm feel.
Opt for a color palette with warm undertones
Choosing colors for your home is about more than just how it looks; colors also directly impact our emotions. Though there is no wrong choice when selecting your exterior color palette, it’s essential to make an informed decision when your goal is to create a welcoming home retreat.
Warm colors, like yellow, red, and orange, are generally perceived as more welcoming because they evoke positive emotions like sunlight and heat. These colors, however, are usually considered a bit of a bold choice for an exterior. To capture the same feeling with a more neutral palette, look to warm undertones instead.
All paint colors have two tones: the mass tone and the undertone. The mass tone is the prominent shade you see right away. The undertone, however, is the underlying shade created as a result of color mixing. Two shades of white may look similar — but one with a touch more yellow mixed in will have a warm undertone, while one with slightly more blue will have a cool undertone.
While you can go with a color with a warm mass tone like red, yellow, or orange, we often recommend neutrals with warm undertones like Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore or Alabaster by Sherwin Williams to maximize curb appeal.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will significantly impact 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.
Consider a covered porch or portico
Paying special attention to your entryway can help make your home feel extra welcoming. Adding a portico above your front door or creating a covered porch is not only practical (it can shield guests from the elements), but it can also serve as an outdoor entertaining zone to give your home more usable square footage.
Porticos and covered porches add a regal air to your entryway, making it feel more grand and prominent. This immediately draws the eye, creating a natural focal point and creating a welcoming home retreat.
Add a pop of color at your front door
Even if you opt for a neutral exterior color palette, you can still add a pop of personality. The front door is the perfect place for an infusion of color that helps your house stand out. Galapagos Turquoise by Benjamin Moore is one of our favorite blue hues, while the yellow-green pop of Wasabi, also by Benjamin Moore, is the perfect contrast for a red-brick home. Benjamin Moore’s Cottage Red, used in the example above, is another option for a more traditional feel.
When choosing your front door color, just be conscious of undertones — it’s best to choose a color with the same undertone as the rest of your exterior palette. Keeping things consistent is not only more cohesive, but also amps up your curb appeal.
Incorporate organic elements for added warmth
As humans, we’re innately drawn to nature — probably because it’s proven that spending time outside helps to bring a sense of calm and peace. The same can be said of using natural elements in your exterior design. Adding organic materials like wood or stone to your exterior creates a connection to the great outdoors that instantly makes any home feel more inviting.
It’s easy to make simple swaps to add natural elements — like stone siding or wooden shutters instead of vinyl — that make your home feel like a welcoming retreat. Organic elements almost always work well together, too, so incorporating several different natural materials is a no-brainer. A bonus? They’re also typically more sustainable than their man-made counterparts, helping to minimize your home’s carbon footprint.
Don’t overlook landscaping
Though landscaping may seem like a secondary element for your exterior design, it can make or break your home’s curb appeal. Thoughtfully laying out your garden beds, incorporating walkways, and adding extras like trellises or pergolas will enhance the inviting atmosphere.
Consider adding plants that remain green year-round, like pine trees, or different native, low-maintenance plants that bloom through different growing seasons. That way, your home will have some life all year to ensure it looks welcoming in any weather.
Finishing touches make all the difference
Once you’ve chosen your exterior color palette and finalized all the big design decisions, it may seem like your welcoming home retreat is complete. But think again! The little details add up to make a big impact, so it’s important not to overlook this step.
Things like outdoor furniture, planters, house numbers, and even hardware can transform the look and feel of your home. Choosing elements that are true to your personal style — whether that’s mid-century modern porch furniture or industrial metal planters — not only makes your exterior feel complete but also adds your own aesthetic. Decorative elements like throw pillows or side tables are also easy to swap out, so you can change the look when ready for something new.
Transform your house into a welcoming home retreat
If your home lacks an inviting, approachable look, use these tips and tricks to create a more homey feel. But if you’re daunted by making changes on your own, don’t worry. brick&batten can help you refresh your exterior design to achieve the welcoming design you’ve always dreamed of.
Our virtual exterior design services are designed to make transforming your exterior simple. Our expert team will help you choose your color palette, design elements, and all the finishing touches you need to bring your dream home to life. Start your project today!
Subscribe for more content like this!
