Nothing reveals the need to make long-lasting impressions on the outside of a house more than the exterior design of buildings. Exterior house design might not be all about the looks, it should also create a friendly atmosphere, add value to the property, and display the identity of the dwellers. This complete reference will study a bunch of house exterior design aspects, such as state-of-the-art shapes in exterior house designing as well as practical advice to increasing your property’s curb appeal.
If you have a smaller property and are looking for specific design ideas, you might find our article on exterior home design for small houses particularly helpful.
Understanding the Importance of Exterior Home Design
The exterior design of the house is what the people first look at. It sets the mood of what is indoors and this is very important to the overall value of the property. A smart exterior home design can catch the eye of potential buyers, provide a warm and friendly entrance, and ultimately save on energy bills.
Key Elements of House Exterior Design
1. Architectural Style
The architectural style of a home is the basis of its exterior design. Every one of these styles, be it colonial, craftsman, Mediterranean, or modern, is defined by its own unique characteristics that go very far in determining what the place would look like.
For a deeper understanding of these different architectural styles, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) offers comprehensive resources.
2. Color Palette
Whether is building modern flats or renovating them for key workers living the color of the external surfaces is a great way to freshen it. The selection of the house’s exterior colors is important as it can either make a house look very bold and vibrant or mild and modest. The right color scheme should be in accordance with the style of the house and it should blend well with its surroundings.
For inspiration and ideas on trendy exterior paint colors, especially if you own a ranch-style home, be sure to check out our dedicated article.
3. Roofing
The roof is a crucial component of the exterior of the building. The type of roof, tiling, and color can have a massive effect on the general look of the place.
To learn more about the various roofing materials available and their impact on exterior design, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides valuable information for homeowners.
4. Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are used for more than one thing; they also provide the essential elements needed for the characterization of a house’s exterior. The type, size, and placement of these items can majorly impact the overall exterior design.
5. Siding and Exterior Materials
The materials used in the wall sector are the first to be taken into account in terms of the aesthetics of a house and its durability. The options can be from a simple brick and wooden exterior to a modern, engineered material such as fiber and vinyl.
Exploring Modern Exterior House Designs
Modern exterior house designs are typified by clean lines, minimalist looks, and use of innovative materials. These kinds of projects are usually characterized by:
- Plenty of windows
- Flat or low-slope roofs
- Mix of materials like wood, metal, and glass
- Neutrals with lots of sharp contrasts
- Geometric shapes and asymmetry arrangements
Outdoor House Designs: Blending Interior and Exterior
The creation of continuity between outdoor and indoor living spaces is becoming a popular trend in the exterior design of homes. The primary techniques are:
- Larger sliding glass doors, or windows that fold into each other.
- Patios or decks with coverings.
- Outdoor kitchens sitting areas, or a climbing wall that matches the house in the backyard.
- Special landscaping that blends with the house design.
Enhancing Curb Appeal with Exterior Home Design
The sensation of the entire building is the pavement appeal. These tips can help you ameliorate the view from your yard:
1. Landscaping
To spruce up an already beautiful residence, well-kept lawns, gardens, and foliage should be intermixed. A well-planned landscaping can emphasize the house and create a heartwarming entrance.
2. Lighting
Outdoor lighting is not only motivational and emotional but it also performs a role in house illumination. Lighting can be used to highlight architectural elements, enhance safety through better visibility at night, and install warm lighting to create a pleasing outdoor living environment.
3. Entryway Focus
The front door and entrance are essential features in exterior home design. A well-thought-out entrance creates an unspoken census which in return triggers the rest of the house. For more in-depth ideas and tips on how to design an inviting and impactful home front, have a look at our comprehensive article.
4. Exterior Accessories
Small objects such as house numbers, mailboxes, and outdoor light features can have a significant effect on how a house’s exterior appearance is perceived. These items have to match the style of the house and on top of that, they should be a significant addition to the house’s character.
Sustainable Exterior Home Design
Nowadays, sustainable exterior home design has gained popularity. Here are the examples of environment-friendly options for your home:
1. Solar Panels
Rooftop solar panels can be designed in a way that they are not only environment-friendly by providing clean energy, but also offering a modern touch to the exterior. To understand more about residential solar panel options and their benefits, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is a great resource.
2. Green Roofs
Green roofs that are covered with vegetation are not just nice to look at but they also also provide insulation and help in managing stormwater runoff.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits and implementation of green roofs, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) offers extensive information.
3. Sustainable Materials
Choosing the right materials is a great way to create environmentally friendly exterior design. For instance, among the building materials that could be reused is the wood that is thicker than other wood used for the outside structure, or the metal that is made out of recycled metal.
Outside Design of a House: Regional Considerations
The exterior appearance of a house should take into account the weather conditions of the area and respect the architectural traditions. To show:
- In hot areas, light color walls and a large number of shaded outdoor spaces are great to keep the house comfortable.
- In rain-dependent areas, proper drainage systems and waterproof materials are a must.
- In areas where the temperature can get low, walls and roofs that are insulated correctly, as well as the right angle of the dewatering, are crucial.
Exterior Home Design for Different House Types
1. Single-Family Homes
For single-family homes, the exterior design is fully customizable. Homeowners can choose any style, color, or material and can thus create a unique, personal home that will be the envy of the whole neighborhood.
2. Townhouses
Townhouse outdoor displays usually need to balance the individual appearance with a consistent façade along an array of attached houses. An attractive usage of color, trim, and landscaping can make the units pronounced yet still homogeneous.
3. Apartments
Apartment exterior designs aim at unifying the look of the whole building while possibly providing some choice on the part of the occupant for the balcony or patio areas.
Innovative Trends in Modern Exterior House Designs
1. Mixed Materials
Most modern designs have a combination of different materials, like wood, stone, metal, and glass, to produce interesting textures as well as visual excitement.
2. Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Modern houses are decorated in a way that even large windows with sliding or folding doors that connect the inside and outside of the house have increasingly become common.
3. Minimalist Aesthetics
Many contemporary exterior home designs are known for their clear forms, calm colors, and uncluttered surfaces.
DIY Exterior Home Design Updates
Following are some do-it-yourself works that one can do to make the exterior of the house look better:
- Painting the front door a bold color.
- Adding window boxes or planters.
- Updating outdoor lighting fixtures.
- Installing new house numbers.
- Creating a defined pathway to the front door.
You can find more budget-friendly home improvement ideas and inspiration in our article on affordable home decor.
Working with Professionals for Exterior Home Design
In large exterior home design projects, having professionals provide expert services can guarantee the best results. Some of the specialists are:
- Architects for structural design and overall concept.
- Landscape designers for outdoor spaces.
- Color consultants for choosing the right color scheme.
- Contractors for the execution of the design.
If your exterior design project involves painting, you might be interested in understanding the costs involved, which we cover in our guide on how much it costs to paint a house.
Maintenance of Exterior Home Design
The exterior maintenance of a house is very important to keep it in its good shape and make it valuable. Everyday home care activities are as follows:
- Cleaning and repainting as needed.
- Checking for and repairing any damage to siding or roofing.
- Maintaining gutters and downspouts.
- Trimming landscaping to prevent overgrowth.
- Inspecting and repairing windows and doors.
Conclusion
The rise of exterior home design emerges as one of the important aspects of homeownership, besides the visual. It includes usability, sustainability, and personal choices. It is a fact that the exterior design of a dwelling, whether modern-styled or traditional, will be the first impression of its value and the well-being of the owner.
The design of one’s home’s exterior can be achieved by balancing the elements such as the architectural style, color palette, materials, and outdoor house designs. Such will allow you to make your visitors feel at home and to keep your house’s spanking clean.
The ultimate goal, whether you choose a professional to do the work or you do the interior and outside changes yourself, is to come up with a single, cohesive design that will be both personal and blend in with the existing environment.
FAQs
1. What is exterior home design?
The term exterior design refers to all the aspects of a house, from the paint on the walls to the design of the streets that are seen from outside a house. This includes the overall theme of the dwelling, the color scheme of the buildings, and landscaping, among other things.
2. How can I improve my house’s exterior design?
There are various ways to enhance the exterior design of the house, such as changing the color scheme, attaching the outer part with the architectural big and small things, improving the lawns, updating the front door, placing new lighting fixtures, or making a porch or deck.
3. What are some popular modern exterior house designs?
Modern house designs are a favorite exterior architecture style today, and many people would love to have them. Here are some of the common modern roof designs:
4. How important is curb appeal in exterior home design?
Certainly, curb appeal is on top of the list as the dishes are added to the exterior. It is a kind of dessert-like piece that can become or spoil everything.
The curb appeal is the first impression of the house, and it is one of the factors that influences the buyers to make an offer on the property if the property is on the market.
5. What are some sustainable options for exterior home design?
Eco-friendly options are recyclable or biodegradable materials, solar panels, a green roof, energy-efficient windows and doors, and building a rainwater harvesting system.
6. How do I choose the right colors for my home’s exterior?
Speaking of architectural styles, looking at the environment the different rules of the neighborhood, and the sensitivity of the homeowner are some factors to consider when identifying the colors of a house.
Even the technique of using the color wheel to go through different colors and checking the paint colors near the house’s exterior can be a helpful solution to the problem.
