Exteriors are the first thing people see when they approach your home. It is important to make sure that you take care of both the exterior and interior of your home, but don’t forget about the little things like the paint color, window treatments, landscaping, and more! Let’s explore some exterior design ideas that can make your home look stunning!
1. Canopies and Arbors
This is a great feature for any home, but especially for those with an artistic flair. Canopies and arbors can be seen as more of a decoration than anything else, so it is important to find the right material to complement your décor. For example, if you live in a modern house that has glass and metal accents throughout the property, then you will need to choose a canopy or arbor that compliments those materials: wrought iron might work nicely!
Another great idea is to install a retractable pergola canopy that will protect you from the sun’s UV rays when needed. The key here is finding the perfect balance where all elements of design complement one another – this will make your space feel more cohesive and elegant. This is crucial because, when designing your exterior, the overall look should be cohesive. This is important because you are trying to create a certain impression, whether that be refined or rustic, so choosing elements that will complement each other can help achieve that goal!
2. A Water Feature
No matter what type of exterior design elements you decide on for your home, you should include at least one water feature. From fountains to ponds, there are many options here – just make sure that you find something that suits your style! For example, if you have a contemporary home with clean lines and straight angles throughout the property, then consider using a sleek fountain with no design flair.
If you have a cottage-style home with lots of flower beds, colorful flowers, and outdoorsy décor items everywhere, maybe opt for something large like an outdoor pond or koi fish pond that is surrounded by lush greenery. The possibilities are endless with this one! A water feature can bring a sense of peace and tranquility to your home, and it will make the space feel more inviting to guests.
3. Planting Beds
No matter how small or large your exterior space is, you can always benefit from planting beds around your home. Whether it’s in front of your house by the sidewalk, at the entrance of your driveway, or even along a fence line to soften up an otherwise sharp or harsh line, planting beds are a great addition to any home.
You can also utilize more than one type of planting bed – for example, you might have natural stone steps leading up to your front door that is surrounded by plantings and grass on either side. Another option would be having some sort of flowering ground cover surrounding the edges of your driveway, with shrubs planted closer together, further away from the house. You’ll want to explore these options so that you can find what works best for your home’s size and style!
4. Colored Stucco
One thing most people tend to forget is the importance of the exterior paint color on your home. Some colors are more likely to fade over time, whereas others do not hold up as well in certain climates. Stucco is another one of those exterior elements that require good consideration for its paint color.
During my research, I found out that some homeowners opt for a sort of neutral gray or brown stucco tone – the reasoning here is that it will complement any other exterior design elements that you choose. Another great idea would be to follow the same rules here with your house’s trim paint color! If your front door has an orange stain with white trim – then maybe using an orange-hued stucco would work well too! That way, the colors complement each other and create a cohesive exterior design.
5. Natural Stone Walkways
Natural stone walkways are the perfect addition to your property, especially if you want an elegant and luxurious look! Once again, it’s all about finding balance here: choose a material that compliments your exterior décor choices. However, don’t forget that natural stone can be quite expensive – so maybe opt for something more budget-friendly like concrete pavers instead of natural stone slabs!
Another option is to simply use some landscaping timbers as a walking path: not only will this help save money on materials, but it can also create a very rustic and casual feel for any home. Remember to keep each one of these tips in mind when designing your own exterior space, especially when it comes to the paint colors, stucco, plantings, water elements, and even walkways!
6. Clean, Well-Maintained Landscaping
Last but certainly not least is to make sure that your landscaping is well-maintained. Overgrown grass, unkempt flower beds, and other messy elements can completely turn off potential buyers if they are looking for a home in your neighborhood.
Not only does it look bad on you, but it also compromises the resale value of your property! One great way to keep all of this dirt and grass cleaned up is by using some sort of heavy-duty lawnmower. Some homeowners like using their riding lawn mower for everything – I mean, why not?!
However, you might want to consider investing in some sort of commercial-grade push reel lawnmower instead – these machines are much easier to maneuver around flower beds and other delicate areas, along with the added benefit of not creating any excess noise (meaning you don’t wake up your neighbors).
Both the interior and exterior of your home need to match and complement each other for a truly cohesive design. If you want something even more unique, then you should consider adding some water features such as a pond, koi pond, or fountain!
Also, when designing your home’s exterior, don’t forget that landscaping is an important element to consider. You’ll want to stay on top of trimming hedges, grass cuttings, and other general house upkeep to create a clean, well-manicured look for your property.
