The Foundation of Curb Appeal: Starting with the Roof
Thinking about a major exterior update? The best place to start is often right at the top: the roof. Your roof is more than just protection from the elements; it’s the crown of your home and sets the entire style direction for your project. A professional renovation company can show you how the color and material you choose for your roof will influence every other choice you make, from the siding to the front door.
Roofing materials come in a variety of styles, each offering a distinct feel. Asphalt shingles are a classic and versatile choice, while a metal roof can give your home a modern or rustic farmhouse vibe. The color is just as important. A charcoal or black roof creates a crisp, modern look that pairs well with many siding colors, while brown or tan shingles offer a warmer, more traditional feel that complements earthy tones.
Siding: The Main Event in Your Home’s New Outfit
Once your roof is selected, it’s time to choose the main outfit for your home—the siding. Since siding covers the most surface area, its color and texture have a massive impact on the final look. A good rule to follow is creating contrast. If you’ve picked a dark-colored roof, a lighter siding color like a soft gray, beige, or classic white can create a beautiful, balanced appearance that really pops from the street.
The material of your siding contributes just as much as the color. Vinyl siding is a popular, low-maintenance choice with endless color options. Fiber cement offers incredible durability and can mimic the look of wood or stucco, giving you a high-end feel without the intense upkeep. Thinking about these textures early on helps you build a cohesive design.
Windows: The Eyes of Your Home
Windows are so much more than a way to see outside; they are a critical design element. The color of your window frames and trim plays a huge role in your exterior’s personality. You can choose a trim color that matches the siding for a subtle, seamless look, or you can go for a contrasting color to make your windows a standout feature.
The trend of using black or dark bronze window frames is still going strong, offering a dramatic touch to both modern and traditional homes. White frames are timeless and work with almost any color scheme, creating a clean and bright feel. The style of the window grids can also change the character, from a colonial pattern for a classic home to no grids at all for a sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
The Grand Welcome: Choosing Your Entry Door
Your front door is the official welcoming point of your home and the perfect place to inject some serious personality. This is your chance to be bold! A vibrant pop of color on the front door acts as a focal point and shows off your unique style. A cheerful yellow, a deep navy blue, or a classic red can add just the right amount of energy to your exterior.
Beyond the paint color, the door’s style is key. A door with decorative glass panels can feel elegant and open, while a solid wood door gives off a sense of strength and tradition. Pay attention to the hardware, too. The finish of your doorknob, lock, and knocker—be it matte black, brushed nickel, or aged brass—should complement the other metallic finishes on your home, like your light fixtures.
Tying It All Together with Trim and Accents
The trim, which includes the corner boards, fascia, and the framing around windows and doors, is like the picture frame for your home. Getting this detail right gives your exterior a crisp, finished look. A popular and foolproof method is to paint all the trim a single, contrasting color, like a crisp white or a creamy off-white, to make the siding color stand out.
Other accents like shutters and garage doors should be part of the plan, too. Shutters can be painted to match the front door for a fun, cohesive pop of color. Your garage door, especially if it faces the street, takes up a lot of visual real estate. You could have it match the siding to blend in or match the trim to make it a feature. It’s these small details that create a truly professional design.
Creating a Cohesive Color Palette
A helpful guideline for exterior color selection is the 60-30-10 rule. Your main siding color should make up about 60% of what people see. The secondary color, which could be your roof or a major accent like stone or brick, should account for 30%. The final 10% is for your accents, like the front door and shutters, where you can have a little more fun with a bolder color.
Never rely solely on a computer screen or a tiny paint chip to make your final choice. Get real samples! Place a roofing shingle sample next to a piece of your chosen siding and your trim paint chip. Look at them outside in different light conditions—morning, noon, and dusk—to see how the colors interact. This simple step can save you from a costly color mistake.
Don’t Forget the Details: Lighting and Landscaping
The right exterior lighting does more than just light up your walkway; it adds ambiance and style. The fixtures you choose should match the overall feel of your home. Sleek, minimalist sconces work well for a modern design, while lantern-style lights are perfect for a traditional or farmhouse look. The finish on the lights should also connect to other hardware, like your front door handle.
Finally, your landscaping can be the beautiful green frame for your newly updated home. Consider the colors of your home when choosing plants and flowers. For example, a home with cool blue siding looks amazing with pink and white flowers. Fresh mulch, a well-defined garden bed, and a few strategically placed shrubs can make your amazing exterior makeover look even more spectacular.