While we all want a spectacular home that stands out
amongst the rest; we also want a home that blends with its surroundings and neighborhood.
Designing the exterior of a home can be a complicated process of color choices,
materials, balancing shape and lines it is not a job for novice designers.
Do you ever wonder what makes a home exterior
visually appealing? Why are there certain homes on the street that make you
stop in your tracks and gawk in awe of its beauty? It is more than likely
that those jaw-dropping homes have followed some key design principles.
Yes, every design, interior or exterior, needs to follow some simple
“rules” of design in order for the final outcome to be visually appealing.
1) Balancing Shapes With Symmetry
Like in all types of design, balance and symmetry play an important role in achieving a well-designed space. The facade of every home needs some semblance of balance and symmetry in order to appear pleasing to the eye and properly designed. Whether it is the eye-catching appeal of a symmetrical Georgian home, where the door is centered and the windows equally flank either side, or a home where the balance is achieved through pointed roof lines or dormers that are equally placed among the exterior. There are numerous ways to achieve a proportional home exterior some through obvious symmetry, while others are not as apparent. Either way, a properly designed home has an exterior that is proportional and balanced.
2) Form Follows Function
Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor, coined the phrase, 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? What do you plan to use your home for? Consider all your families needs and then decide what is required in your home in order to accommodate those needs. interior designs that you have chosen. Maybe you are an artist who chose large windows because you need natural lighting to paint/create. Maybe you needed a granny suite over the garage, so the exterior of the home has a dormer in order to make the window in that room look balanced. Always remember that your interior design affects the exterior one, as well.
3) House Materials and Textures
With the plethora of options, it is very difficult to decide what materials we should use in our home exterior. Between cedar shingles, vinyl siding, aluminum, brick, wood, stucco, steel…how do we choose?It is best to balance durability with aesthetics. Of course, you want the exterior of your home to reflect your personal style are you a country guy/girl? Then you may want tumbled stone and cedar shingles. Are you a modern minimalist? Then you may prefer the lines of sleek steel or simple wood panels.In order to avoid costly mistakes, it is always best to consult with a skilled design architect. There are also a lot of online visual tools that can help you see what your material choices will look like before you make that final financial investment.
4) Exterior Color Combinations
Oh, the cornucopia of color choices! How do you decide what is the right color for your home exterior? Do you go bold or basic? As in all decorating, color choice is vital—it can hide flaws or when done poorly, draw attention to flaws. Sherwin Williams suggests that a safe and effective approach to color placement is to select two tints or shades from the same color strip a few shades apart. Either the lighter or the darker shade could be used for the body and the opposite for the trim. The third contrasting accent color could punctuate the door. Color can play up so many features of your home exterior. Paint your front porch a bright fresh white to draw the eye to the cozy entrance, or make your too-tall home look shorter with a dark color on top and a lighter color on the bottom. The ways that color can trick the eye and play up the positive are endless!
5) How to Choose the Right Roof
A durable roof is imperative choosing a roof for your home is more than just deciding upon color and aesthetics. There are so many building options, with varying costs and life-expectancies. Material like slate and tile may seem ideal but remember that they are very heavy, so be sure your home can carry the load. Asphalt shingles seem to be most prevalent due to their lower cost and easy install. Surprisingly, wood is also a viable option with the same life expectancy ( 25 years) as asphalt shingles. Slate and metal are costly and heavy options but may work for some designs. While there are numerous choices, they do not all work within budgets and home design. Always consider cost, durability, weight, and what suits your homes style best.
While the design of your home exterior is a complicated process that is fraught with decisions and choices, do not give up a well-designed home CAN be achieved with patience and a little help. During the design process, we suggest that you follow all 10 tips offered here with regard to color, materials, form & function, balance & symmetry, lighting, doors, landscaping, windows, and roofing.
Remember that there are a lot of online tools available that can show you a virtual picture of what your design could look like it’s always best to see it and love it before you make the final financial investment. What exterior materials are your favorite? Do you have any unique materials incorporated into your home exterior?
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