Do you pay much attention to exterior design ideas or do you just concentrate on the inside of the house? As you all know, this blog was started after we decided to redecorate and redesign an old house we’d bought. I’ve taken you through most of the interior makeovers we did around the house. It needed a complete overhaul and there’s not an inch of the home my fingers haven’t been over – several times. Most of this is finished and you can see the results at the link.
Spring is around the corner and some (yes, only some) of my efforts will be turned to the outside of the property. We can’t do as much as we’d like at the moment, but that set me thinking about the exterior design ideas which will make the best impact on your home.
Exterior design ideas can be simple, yet impacting
Exterior design starts with your front door
I did a post here about front doors. Paint colours not only tell a little about the people who live in the houses, your choice of colour can really impact on the overall image of the house. Always make sure your front door looks great from the outside. It’s the first impression your guests – and random passers-by have of your home. Like a personal first-impression, there’s no second chance, so get it right. Even if your door isn’t new, keep it clean, well looked-after and free from weed etc. A good paint job, a nice mat, an interesting door-knocker, and a few potted, well-groomed plants all count towards an impressive front door.
Plants make a large impact on your exterior design
Add plants to your front garden. They don’t have to be expensive plants. They just have to be well-looked after. If you don’t have the time it takes to care for a hanging basket it’s better not to have one. Go for yukka or grasses and other low-maintenance plants if you’re busy. If you have a completely paved area at the front of your house, get some large plant pots and place them around your front door. Different sizes and shapes work better together.
Fences are important in your exterior design
There is little point in having the most expensive front door when you have a run-down fence that needs attention. The fence at the front of your house should be well cared for and maintained. It doesn’t have to be a brick fence to be sturdy. Wooden fences make quite an impact if they’re painted (or treated) and are upright. If wooden fences are too difficult to maintain, you can consider pvc fencing and pvc railing, which are much more durable and look a lot nicer. Fences are also important for security reasons. The police force has noted that if you give the first impression (with your fences, gates, windows etc) you’re serious about security, you’re less likely to be burgled.
Exterior design ideas can be personal – not eccentric
Your tastes will obviously play an important role in your exterior design ideas. Door mats, door knockers and house numbers – for example come to mind. If your taste is very eccentric, it’s probably better to give into this at the back of your house. It’s better to fit in with the general ‘feel’ of your neighbourhood in terms of design. This means that you may have to paint that huge wooden wheelbarrow and use it to plant flowers in your back garden. Your house number may have to remain just the average plaques the neighbours have, and that driftwood may have to be transformed into the back of a bench at your back door.
Exterior design ideas for the back garden
Most people in the UK use a combination of decking, plants and clever painting to create impact in their back gardens. The only problem with decking is that it can be difficult to maintain if you’re very busy. I grew up in South America where a lot of the house had verandas. One of my utmost dreams for our home, is to have a veranda at the back of the house. We’ll have to wait a few years to get that, but I’m definitely going to use pvc decking to get the job done. After all these years of waiting, I don’t want the maintenance jobs that sometimes can accompany wooden decking. I already have my veranda design planned out, even though it may be 5 years before we can afford it!
Do you have any other exterior design ideas? What have you done outside your house that has impacted the most? Please leave your ideas in the comment boxes below. If you liked ‘Exterior Design Ideas’ please share it on your social networking sites. Thank you.
Decorating the exterior of a home is a fun. Plants are great adornments that adds beauty to the outside of your home.
Yes, I experiment with different plants for the outside. Pots can add interest and beauty too, even if they’re empty in the winter. Providing they fit in with the general decor of your property.
Plants have can make a huge difference in beautifying the exterior of your home. It is also great for keeping the surroundings of your house clean and fresh.
Id love to have a front garden to our house! Decorating the front of your home will not only make your home more attractive to potential buyers but is also likely to deter burglars from your home with the right adjustments.
Michael, sometimes even if you haven’t got a garden, a hanging basket by your front door, or a well taken care of potted plant will look great. Window boxes and pots with trellises (climbing plants) also work a treat.
Since then we’ve added a trellises up the side of the wall at the front of our house, it looks fantastic! Much better than just plain bricks!
Great idea! Thanks Anne 🙂
I would love to have a garden, never mind a veranda! Where I grew up verandas were very common too and I just love them. My mother has a veranda which has a plain cement floor in terracotta colour, with a huge intricate circle of mosaic in the middle. It’s beautiful 🙂
That must be really beautiful, Liz. I love terracotta for gardens. This colour gives them a Mediterranean look.
I think the exterior design of a house is probably the most important part! My student house looks really horrible from the outside and its just a bit depressing to get home to after a long day. My parents house looks lovely from the outside so I always like coming back to it!
I think this is why it’s so important to get the exterior design right. It makes it feel great to come back home. The outside of the house also generally tells passers by what the inside is like. If your outside looks sloppy, chances are your locks and security are as well. Not good for keeping your home safe and secure.