Seven simple ways to improve the facade of your house

Betti Hunter – homify Betti Hunter – homify
Casa Estúdio MC, Blacher Arquitetura Blacher Arquitetura Casas ecléticas
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The facade of your home is your cover letter. What does it say about you?

The way a house looks on the outside tells a great deal about the lives and personalities of those on the inside. Is it well-kept? Shabby? Almost, but not quite, perfect? We tend to spend a lot of time making sure that the interior design decisions reflect our personalities and tastes, but in reality only a few people will ever see the inside of our homes – and they're usually our friends! The exterior, however, announces who we are and what we're about to the world. Still feel OK about those grimy walls?

Luckily, updating the facade of a home doesn't have to be a chore. Houses are diamonds in the rough – they only need a little polish to make them shine. Read on to find out just what to do…

Give it some light…

Sometimes, a near-perfect facade is just missing that little something extra. In such cases, exterior lighting often makes the difference between a house that merely looks nice and one that stands out in the crowd.

A few well-placed spotlights can completely change the look of your home. Brighten up windows and doors, tuck them into hanging plants and trellises, or use LED lights to highlight strong feature walls. For extra eco points, choose solar powered lamps.

People in glass houses…

Want to bring your home into the 21st century? Just add glass! Opening up your life to the world might seem drastic, but it's a sure-fire way of making your facade look totally modern, and will allow a whole lot more light to penetrate the interior of your house.

Installing a glass feature wall takes some effort, and requires the help of a professional. However, a sensational look can just as easily be achieved by replacing your front door or balcony guardrail with glass panelling. Just be aware that you'll need to keep a window cleaner on retainer…

On the fence…

If more privacy is high on your list of priorities, why not invest in a glamorous new fence? This allows you to stylise the front of your house in a variety of ways without altering the structure itself.

Choose the material depending on the theme of your home? Old-fashioned or gothic houses should have a wrought iron barrier to match. Modern, minimal abodes suit simple, horizontal wooden slats, and country style homes should opt for a true classic – the white picket fence.

Take a risk with colour

All-white houses look amazing, but they are increasingly becoming the norm. Also, they require a LOT of upkeep – who wants to be scrubbing down their facade every month after the heavy rain resulted in grimy streaks all over the walls?

Dare to take the risk and paint the front of your home in your favourite colour. Earthy browns, oranges and greens are always a safe bet, but hot pink, seafoam green or even black would look just as amazing. Don't forget to consult your neighbours before making a drastic change, though – they might not be too happy if you change the scenery of the neighbourhood too much…

White-out minimalism

With that being said, sometimes a total lack of colour is the strongest way to make an impression. If you're a minimalist at your core, an all-white facade really is the only logical option.

White is inoffensive and easy on the eye, true, but it can also be a style statement in its own right. An all-white facade is also a hugely practical decision – it makes smaller homes look lighter and wider, and also reflects sunlight, meaning that less heat is absorbed into the walls of the house.

Emphasise texture and details

A clean and minimal facade can look like a dream, but what if you're after something with a bit more visual interest?

An easy way to perk up your house without carrying out a major renovation is by adding texture. Install a slate panel to an otherwise bare wall, use raw wood to frame windows, or mix up smooth concrete and rough pebble dash for an unexpected, varied look.

Frame your lifestyle in colour

If a quick and easy pick me up is all you're after, why not just repaint your window frames? Choose a strong shade that will contrast or complement the existing facade colour, and take your time as you carefully paint around each frame. 

Take this look one step further by painting the front door in a similar or matching shade – or max it out by clashing the colour of the doors and frames.

Curb appeal is important for homeowners, but these tips should have you covered! Want to see a house that nailed the perfect facade? Check out this luxurious villa in the South of France.

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