The process of decorating an exterior can be quite complex; you have to pick colors, materials, and balance shapes and lines – it’s not a job for novice designers.
Have you ever wondered what makes exterior houses inviting? Why do some houses on the street make you stop and admire their beauty? More than likely, some key design principles were considered when decorating these stunning homes. Yes, in any design, interior or exterior, you need to follow some simple design rules to make the end result pleasing to the eye.
Let’s take a look at 10 basic exterior design principles that will help you furnish your home.
1.Balancing shapes and symmetry
As with any type of design, balance and symmetry play an important role in the proper design of a space. The facade of any home must maintain some semblance of balance for proper development and a pleasing appearance.
Whether it is a Georgian-style house that stands out for its attractive symmetry, where doors are centered and all sides of windows are equal, or a dwelling where balance is achieved through pointed roofs or skylights that are evenly spaced across the facade.
There are many ways to achieve proportional home exteriors-some require obvious symmetry and some less prominent. Either way, the design of a properly designed home should be proportional and balanced.
2.Form follows function
Essentially, this means that the purpose of the building should be the starting point of the design.
What is the purpose of your home? How do you plan to use it? Think about all of your family’s needs, and then decide what should be in your home to meet those needs.
The exterior of your home will reflect the interior design you have chosen. Maybe you are an artist who prefers large windows because you need natural light to create. Maybe you need extra room above the garage, so an additional skylight is placed on the front of the house, balancing out the overall view. Always remember that the design of your interior affects the exterior as well.
3.Materials and textures for the home
With all the variety of options, deciding which materials to use when decorating your exterior can be difficult. How do you choose between cedar shingles, vinyl siding, aluminum, brick, wood, stucco, steel…?
The best option is a combination of durability and aesthetics. Of course, you want the exterior of your home to reflect your personal style. Are you a suburban guy (girl)? Then stone or cedar shingles will work for you. Are you a modern minimalist? Give preference to smooth steel inserts or simple wood panels.
It’s always best to consult an experienced designer to avoid costly mistakes. There are also many online visual applications that allow you to see how the material you choose will look before you invest in purchasing it.
4.Color combinations in exteriors
Oh, how wide the color palette is. How do you decide what color is best for a facade? Do you give preference to bright or basic shades? In any kind of finishing work, the choice of color is of paramount importance – it can both hide flaws and emphasize them.
A reliable and effective principle of color placement, is to use two shades of the same color scheme, differing by a couple of tones. The lighter or darker shade can be used for facade design or for finishing, based on your taste. A third, contrasting color can be used to accentuate the door.
Color can accentuate many features of your exterior. Paint your porch a bright and fresh white to create a cozy feeling, or make a house that is too tall visually shorter by painting the top with dark colors and the bottom with lighter colors. There are many ways to hide a home’s weaknesses and accentuate its strengths with a play of colors.
5.How to choose the right roof
A roof should be durable, so choosing the right covering is more than picking colors and shapes.
There are so many building materials, of varying cost and lifespan. Materials like slate and tile will look perfect, but you have to remember that they’re pretty heavy, so make sure your home can handle the load. Tile is probably the most popular because of its low cost and ease of installation. Surprisingly, wood is also suitable and will last you as long as shingles (25 years). Slate and metal are expensive and heavy materials, but are great for decorating some structures.
Despite the abundance of options, not all of them fit the budget and overall design. Always consider the cost, durability, weight of the covering and how it will blend with the rest of the exterior.
6.How to choose a garage door
Some people don’t consider a garage door as part of the overall design of a home, but they’re wrong. In addition to design, you should find out about the insulating qualities of the door, the security system, the durability of the spring structures, the warranties and the cost.
Once you understand all the intricacies of the mechanism, you can enjoy choosing a design that fits your home. It can be a clean, classic steel door or a cozy carriage house door – there are plenty of options.
7.Which windows are best to choose
Just like garage doors, your home windows are more than just a functioning piece. Windows are like the soul of your home, a shining light that warms everything within those four walls.
First of all, the windows you choose should be durable. Second, your windows should reflect the character of the home. Modern homes look presentable with huge, floor-to-ceiling, sash-less windows, while traditional homes are more suited to symmetrically arranged, white, rectangular windows.
Other important factors include the level of UV radiation transmitted, protection of personal space, proper ventilation, ease of cleaning and appearance. Consider all options to choose a durable and aesthetically pleasing “soul” to your home.
8.How to decorate your porch in style
The most common question is: What color should you paint your front door in? As previously described, for painting the whole house and finishing small parts, it is better to choose colors from the same palette of different shades. While a third, contrasting, color will be suitable for the decoration of the door.
You can choose a bold, contrasting color that is completely at odds with the rest of the house, or pick a shade lighter or darker than the base colors. But if you want to stand out, it’s better to choose a color much darker or lighter than the front of the house.
In addition to color, there are a number of other things that can freshen up your porch and tell the style of your home: lighting, plants, a bell, a knob for knocking on the door, a rug, porch chairs-all of which will add to the overall appeal of your home’s entryway.
9.The significance of the landscape
Garden landscaping is much more than just digging up a single tree in front of the house. More often than not, it’s the well-placed plants that give the house that mind-blowing look that makes it stand out from the rest.
Choosing the right plants is quite difficult, so we advise to be guided by the peculiarities of the soil and region of residence. Landscapers are usually well versed in all kinds of plants. They know where to plant them best and can even make a landscape plan for your yard.
Think about your yard and start planning your garden arrangement today. Remember that it takes time to plant and get used to them, so have patience. The earlier you start, the better.
10.Brighten up your home
Don’t let your house go dark. Good lighting plays an important role in keeping your home safe and making it attractive at night. In addition to the standard lights near the front door and garage, it’s worth placing them around the house.
Choose lighting that matches the style of your home. Traditional homes look good with lantern-like lights, which are best placed above the front door and garage. Corner lights are usually installed at the entryway in modern homes. Consider how the features of your home can be accentuated with night lighting.
Conclusion
Although exterior design is not an easy job and involves a lot of mistakes, the main thing is not to give up and have patience. Take advantage of our advice regarding color, materials, shape and purpose, balance and symmetry, lighting, doors, landscaping, windows and roofing. Remember that there are many online applications that can show you a virtual picture of what your project will look like. It’s always best to think things through again before you make an investment.
