9 Ways to Upgrade the Exterior of Your Home

American homeowners place a high premium on keeping their homes functional and beautiful. Therefore, many homeowners do home improvement projects to make their homes even more comfy and beautiful. According to Statista, in 2020, about 68% of homeowners renovated their home exteriors.

If you have been considering a home exterior upgrade, you are in good company. Your neighbors are also probably thinking of a home renovation. With a home exterior improvement, you have multiple designs to choose from. However, because most homes, especially near cities, adopt modern styles, you could settle for a contemporary house exterior design.

Whether doing a minor exterior remodeling or a major overhaul, your home will get a refreshing look after the renovation. Settling on a contemporary house exterior design will guide you in selecting texture, furniture, and look. In this article, you will learn the importance of an exterior upgrade and nine ways to do an exterior upgrade.

Why House Exterior Design Matters

You probably don’t need much motivation to do an exterior renovation. The house exterior matters just as much as your interior. An investment in upgrading your home with a contemporary house exterior design is beneficial for your home and its residents. Here are four reasons why your house’s exterior design matters.

Exterior Design Adds Functionality to Your Home

Your house exterior can offer you more value than having awesome interiors alone. For example, you can design it to allow outdoor barbeque parties, workouts, and even swimming. Depending on your house’s exterior design, you can spend significant time outside.

The Exteriors Protect Your Family from Pests

Your house exterior protects you from extreme weather and invasion by pests. Doing renovations can seal loopholes pests use to invade your house. For example, a cracked foundation can allow rodents to enter your home without your knowledge.

Matching Interior and Exterior Design Improve the Aesthetics of Your Home

You could have a fantastic interior design. Yet if you have a rustic interior, choose a contemporary house exterior design. Your home will look inconsistent.

Your Exterior is What People See First

When people visit your home, the first thing they see is not your classic couch or fireplace. It’s your exterior. How’s the painting? What about landscaping? A meticulously kept exterior will leave a good and lasting impression on visitors.

9 Ways to Upgrade the Exterior of Your Home

Doing a house exterior upgrade is an exciting project that could leave your home looking comfy and inviting. It could even improve your mental health. According to Psychology Today, shaping your environment can be an act of self-expression and may have positive psychological benefits.

If you are uncomfortable in your space, it could make you unsettled. Upgrading your exterior with a contemporary house exterior design can express your creativity and modify your home to your specifications. We have curated a list of ways to upgrade your house’s exterior. The good thing is you could plan them as individual projects after a specific timeline.

1. Screen-In Your Porch

One of the most interesting projects you could undertake to upgrade your exterior is screening your porch. Your screened-in porch can have multiple functional and aesthetic uses, including serving as a family room, an entertainment spot, or simply for relaxing in the evenings while soaking in the sun.

In the past, people only had metal as the material for screening. However, today there’re multiple options, including fiberglass, aluminum, and solar screens. Some people DIY, but you could opt for screened in porch contractors to get a professional job. According to Bob Villa, you can expect to spend at least $450 buying materials and between $300 and $600 for labor.

With a screened porch, you experience bug-free outdoor living since it’s a controlled environment. You get to enjoy the outdoors while enjoying protection from extreme weather. It’s also a flexible space you can customize to fit your needs.

2. Add Some Shade

One of the reasons you might head outdoors is to get your daily dose of vitamin D. However, too much sunlight harms your skin. According to the CDC, skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV rays, which can be greatly reduced by increasing shade. That’s why awning companies have a variety of awning options to increase shade in your home.

Awnings do not only protect you from extreme sunlight exposure, but they also keep your energy bills low. Heat penetrates through your glass during hot seasons, and your HVAC has to do extra work to keep the house cool. However, an awning reduces heat penetration in the first place, and thus your house is cool throughout.

An Awning is a great addition to your contemporary house exterior design because it improves the aesthetics and functionality of your home. To maintain consistency, you could choose colors and textures that match your interior design.

3. Have Comfortable Seating

If you spend some time outdoors, you need comfy seating that makes you want to stay longer. According to GM Insights, the outdoor furniture market hit $15.7 in 2020, and it’s expected to rise by 5.9% by 2027. More and more Americans realize the benefits of spending time outdoors, which is reflected by the significant growth of the outdoor furniture market.

If you have also realized the multiple benefits of outdoor time, you can invest in comfy seating. If you already have outdoor furniture but it is in poor condition, you can use outdoor furniture repair services and save on buying new furniture. They can also make adjustments to ensure your exterior matches your interior.

When shopping for outdoor furniture, look for sturdy and firm furniture that won’t crumble with little play. You should also consider the fabric. Does it fade with little exposure to sunlight? Even if you don’t spend all your time outdoors, it will help to have beautiful, firm seats in your outdoor space.

4. Repaint Your Home

One of the most visible aspects of your exterior is painting. Even if your interior is superb and well-organized, your exterior wall painting is chipping off or moldy. Your home will look unkempt. On the other hand, proper painting with colors that match the style of your home will make your house look even more beautiful.

Painting is one of the most popular DIY projects. However, painting the exterior poses extra challenges better handled by exterior house painters. They can help you settle on the best color combinations. You don’t need to have the same color on the interior to keep consistent with your contemporary house exterior design. You can mix colors.

Exterior painting has multiple advantages for your home apart from improving the curb appeal of your home. For example, it reduces the likelihood of pest invasion, especially on materials such as wood. Painting exteriors will also improve the value of your home.

5. Add Brick and Natural Stone

One of the best additions to your contemporary house exterior design is adding brick and natural stone. Natural stone was a go-to material in ancient architecture, but there’s a renewed interest in adding it to modern interior and exterior design. According to Allied Market Research, the global natural stone market is projected to reach $50.4 billion by 2030.

Natural stone gives your home a natural and unique look that’s hard to replicate with other types of materials. It’s also stable, and durable, and comes in a variety of marble, limestone, and granite. Natural stone and brick are sustainable options if you’re interested in sustainable building.

You could use brick and natural stone on your patio, outdoor kitchen, or as stone steps. Also, it’s suitable for paving a pathway or in your pool. Whatever option you choose, engage a professional masonry contractor to ensure you get the best value from your stones.

6. Hire a Landscape Designer and Architect

If you have to choose only one project to upgrade your exterior, you could start with landscaping. A properly maintained landscape can mask other flaws in your house’s exterior, and it becomes the focal point of your outdoor space. Ensure you contact a landscape architect to design your outdoor space to match your taste.

Landscaping is a worthwhile investment with a high return should you choose to sell your home. For example, according to Home Light, regular lawn care has a 267% ROI. Your family will enjoy a safe outdoor space to bask, play, and even hold parties. Proper landscaping will offer enough space for training and play if you have pets.

Landscaping involves more than having a massive green space. You can be as creative as possible. For example, you can create a themed mini-park with potted flowers or even painted stones. Your family could also have fantastic suggestions on making your landscape worth a second gaze.

7. Create a Hang-Out Area

You could also create a space for hanging out with family and friends. There’re multiple options to choose from. For example, you could have a custom deck. It’s a great area for hosting friends and hanging out with family. If you’re going with a contemporary house exterior design, you can add a hot tub to increase functionality.

Local deck contractors can help you choose from multiple options available. A deck doesn’t take long to set up, so your upgrade will only take a short time. You can be creative with the design incorporating functionality and aesthetics.

Alternatively, you could get a custom outdoor kitchen. It’s an excellent place to make recipe meals with your friends and family as you have awesome conversations. The outdoor kitchen will be even more elegant if you add custom table tops with natural stone.

8. Add Privacy

Your home is your safe space for you and your family. Yet sometimes, it may not feel like that. Glances from neighbors, stray pets, and an occasional hoot. Fence installation is one of the best ways to add privacy to your home. A fence will add privacy and curb appeal, depending on the material you choose.

Your style will determine the materials you choose for your fence. For example, wood is an excellent option if you prefer a classic style. Wood also easily matches other styles. If your style is contemporary house exterior design, you may opt for aluminum or grass railing. You could even go with a live fence, although it might take time to grow.

A fence is also an excellent addition to your home if you have young children or pets. The fence will add privacy and lessen your anxiety about minor accidents, such as your pet crossing over to the neighbors.

9. Install a Pool

Imagine the sight of a cool pool in summer. Or in the mornings, swim in a heated pool. It could be a reality if you install a pool in your home. A pool might require more elaborate financial planning, but it’s a worthy investment. It offers convenience and more control over safety.

Once residential pool construction services have constructed your pool, all you need to do is do maintenance. If you have children, it will give you comfort that they’re not exposed to germs in public pools. Add lighting, Antigua pebble finishing, and heating options to match your contemporary house exterior design.

Final Thoughts

Now you know why home exterior design matters and ways you can upgrade your home. Ours is not an exhaustive list. There’s so much you could do to improve your exterior. However, using the above list, you can keep your house’s exterior inviting and functional. You can enjoy a private barbeque with friends or train your dog in your landscaped gardens.

If you live in a city or your house has a modern interior design, it’s best to use a contemporary house exterior design to keep your home consistent with your interiors and neighborhood. You can start with a few projects and upgrade according to your budget.