Who knew you could use Optical illusions to make your home appear differently (better) than the reality!?
In the same way Fashion Designers make their subjects appear taller, shorter, wider, narrower, more elegant or more masculine, we can use optical illusions on our Facade renovation to give our home more presence.
Here are a few of the techniques I use when designing or redesigning my client’s Facades;
1. Making your House appear Taller –
Vertical cladding: Using vertical style cladding on part or all of the exterior of your home will instantly create an illusion of height. Your eye is drawn upwards, making the house appear taller than it actually is.
Pillars or columns: Adding pillars or columns near the entrance will give the illusion of increased height to the overall structure.
Slim, tall windows: If you’re able to change the windows, opting for a taller/elongated shape will help to accentuate the height of the walls.
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
2. Making your House appear Wider –
Horizontal cladding or detailing: Using horizontal accents or cladding styles will help make your home seem wider
Accent colours on the horizontal: Using contrasting/accent colours or materials in horizontal format will visually lengthen the area. This could be a contrasting balustrade handrail for example, or a horizontal arch feature.
Remove as many vertical accents as possible: For example fences or landscaping that chop the house in two. Or any obvious vertical contrasting colours.
3. Making your House appear More Spacious –
Light colour palette: Opt for light-coloured exteriors as they reflect more light, making the house feel more open and spacious.
Large windows and glass doors: Install large windows and glass doors to allow a seamless connection between the interior and exterior, giving an illusion of a more extensive living area.
Remember, it’s not about deceiving the eye but about artfully crafting an illusion to enhance your home’s best features and downplay its less favourable ones!
If you’ve tried to update your home or simply have no idea where to begin, send me a message via the methods below. Please include a photo of your home, email address and phone number.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Home renovations aren’t just about sprucing up how your house looks; they’re your secret weapon to skyrocketing your property’s value.
Strategic renovations aren’t merely about enhancing your living experience and ‘making your money back’; they’re about shrewd financial planning. The below transformation of a $1M property into a $1.4M gem (estimated reval), with a thoughtful investment of $150k including some DIY ($100k on exterior and front yard), perfectly illustrates this concept.
By choosing the right materials and colours for the most impactful components of your home, your exterior design ideas can add significant value and make it look stunning at the same time.
I’m not talking about a dollar-for-dollar improvement. I’m talking about profiting from every single dollar you spend (eg investing $150k and making a profit of $250k in the below scenario) and the benefits are immense;
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
Lower Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR): When your home’s value increases, its LVR drops. This is the mortgage amount as a percentage of the appraised property value. A lower LVR can offer more attractive mortgage rates, easier refinancing, and increased financial flexibility.
Higher Equity: An increase in property value directly bolsters your home equity. This can be leveraged for additional investments or as an emergency fund.
Greater Return on Investment (ROI): In this case, a $150k investment in renovations led to a $400k increase in home value, indicating a return significantly beyond the original outlay.
Market Advantage: A visually appealing and high-value home stands out in the real estate market, potentially attracting higher rental rates or being more appealing to buyers if you decide to sell.
While a DIY approach to renovations might be tempting, harnessing the insights of an experienced professional’s exterior design ideas is invaluable. Their advice on material selection, design direction, and strategic planning helps your investment work smarter, not harder. Their expertise will allow your home to exude the luxury of a million-dollar property (or, as in this case, a 1.4 million-dollar one!).
Transforming your home isn’t just about refurbishing your living environment; it’s a powerful strategy to enhance your financial prosperity.
If you’re ready to add value to your home with a beautiful renovation, get in touch with me on jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or via the methods below. Send photos and a brief description of what you’re looking to achieve!
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Once upon a time, the allure of minimalism reigned supreme in the realm of modern home design; its primary principles included simplicity, functionality, and the extreme reduction of unnecessary elements.
However, the resultant designs were often perceived as impersonal, cold, and uninviting.
Thankfully, this trend has begun to wane. While the appeal of clean lines and a no-fuss approach to design endures, this style is evolving to meet our desire for a more welcoming, homely ambiance.
If you’re aiming to achieve a ‘warm minimalist’ look, here are some modern home design ideas for 2023 and beyond;
The walls are your blank canvas: a good strategy is to maintain minimalism’s simplicity on the primary surfaces, such as walls/cladding etc, with perhaps a slight twist to pique interest. Then, it’s time to strategically introduce engaging features and textures that break up the simplicity without overwhelming the design.
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
Integrate textured or naturally coloured materials such as a refined stone or timber-look cladding: These elements not only add visual interest but also introduce a sense of warmth and character to the design. Try to stick to a maximum of three colours overall to maintain the minimalist spirit.
Add Engaging Features: Introduce intriguing elements such as intricate window surrounds, arches and anything that subtly breaks up the monotony of minimalism, infusing interest and character into your home.
Off-set the starkness with landscaping: The crowning glory of your warm minimalist transformation will be the introduction of landscaping elements. Vines, in particular, can be an exquisite addition as they introduce softness at eye level, creating a serene, welcoming vibe.
The age of stark, detached minimalism is behind us. Modern home design trends now advocate for the blending of warmth and individuality into minimalist structures.
If you’ve tried but not yet succeeded in imagining this look for your own home, feel free to send some photos and details of your home exterior/facade to jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or via the methods below.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
When it comes to renovating your home, achieving a timeless style that exudes understated elegance can make a lasting impression.
It can be tempting to follow the latest trends, but true timeless style transcends passing fads and stands the test of time.
Here are 5 exterior renovation ideas to achieve understated elegance on your home exterior:
1) Opt for neutral and muted tones that exude sophistication and versatility. Timeless colours like off-white, soft grey, and earthy tones provide a serene and elegant backdrop for your home. Juxtapose these with white and charcoal for a more modern twist.
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
2) Choose high-quality materials that age gracefully and require minimal maintenance. Consider natural stone, brick, or even good quality timber-look cladding for a timeless appeal. Avoid trendy or overly bold materials that may quickly become outdated.
3) Incorporate architectural details that add depth, texture, and character to your exterior. Elements such as mouldings, columns, and decorative trim can elevate the overall elegance of your home.
4) Ensure that all elements are in proportion. For example the thickness of window mouldings, the width of columns, the scale of new gable trims, the location and species of plants – all these things contribute to an aesthetically pleasing and coherant home exterior.
5) Opt for Symmetry where possible to create a sense of order and elegance. Line up or mirror windows, doors, and other architectural elements (eg lighting, landscaping and other features) to create a balanced and visually appealing composition. Note that while perfect symmetry is not always necessary, a sense of visual equilibrium should be maintained.
With these exterior renovation ideas and principles in mind, you can embark on your renovation journey with confidence and create Street Appeal that stands the test of time.
If you’re not confident on your own to achieve a timeless exterior design, get in touch with me via my email or one of the other methods below.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
The price tag of your upcoming reno need not dictate it’s quality.
A well-designed $50k renovation will outshine an ill-conceived $100K project any day of the week.
Here’s why your budget is not the only factor to consider when it comes to achieving an aesthetically pleasing result on your home’s exterior.
Focused renovations
A focused renovation that considers your home’s character and enhances its existing charm requires less extensive changes, saving you a chunk of your budget. Instead of a cookie-cutter/copy-cat design, work with your home’s natural qualities and quirks. This doesn’t mean compromising on the overall look. When put together mindfully, renovations like these can give a spectacular result!
Selective Splurging
A gut-and-replace renovation on your exterior is often, frankly, a total waste of money. Unless the house is falling down (in which case, maybe just bowl it over??) your focus should be on improving the elements that you don’t love, and leaving or tweaking the rest. Even minimal changes, when thoughtfully executed, can bring a transformative effect.
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
Design Principles: Your Reno’s Secret Sauce
Design principles, revered and utilised by experts worldwide, are the magic potion that separates a ‘designer’ house from a mere before-and-after scenario. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to know…
>> Balance: A balanced facade feels just right, with visual weight evenly distributed. This doesn’t necessarily mean symmetry, but rather a pleasing equilibrium of your design elements.
>> Focal Point: This is the star of the show, the element that immediately draws the eye. Usually its the front entrance which stands out due to eye-catching and contrasting colours and materials.
>> Anchoring: This involves grounding an area visually, preventing your space from seeming as if it’s “floating.” Landscaping or other low down structural elements often play the role of an anchor on a facade.
These principles will make a world of difference to your renovation, helping create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing home that doesn’t just look expensive, but feels valuable.
Leverage Expertise: The Best Use of Your Savings
If these principles sound foreign to you, investing part of your $50K savings in a design expert like Hotspace who understands these concepts, will be the best decision you make. You’ll be amazed at how we can stretch your dollars, turning your moderate budget into a stunning masterpiece.
So, the next time you hear someone bragging about their six-figure renovation, smile, knowing that a well-executed $50K reno can be far more impressive. After all, good taste doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag!
Contact me here or via the methods below for help with a stunning, focused renovation that’ll be the envy of your neighbourhood!
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
Transforming your home doesn’t always mean massive, complicated and messy renovations that go on for months or even years at a time.
Fortunately, you can sculpt your modern house facade piece-by-piece through an incremental renovation approach.
This strategy lets you make small, stylish and strategic changes, resulting in an impressive transformation over time – with zero overwhelm!
This kind of renovation takes skill though; knowing exactly what to – and what not to put your efforts into.
Have a look at the images below and note the relatively minor changes that are being suggested. These are easy changes that can be implemented over time at the home owners own pace.
👇Designed by Hotspace👇
Whether your budget is $70k or $170k, engaging the expertise of a professional designer, like Hotspace, from the get-go (as this home owner has) will provide you with a detailed, easy-to-follow design plan that you can progressively implement over time.
Let’s take a closer look at how you can gradually bring out the very best in your home’s exterior using this technique:
Be selective: Choose key areas to refresh or update in order to significantly transform your house facade and exterior, without the need to change everything at once.
Work With What You’ve Got: Make the most of your home’s existing features, incorporating them into your renovation plans instead of competing against them.
Consider your Colours: Be thoughtful when choosing new exterior paint colours, making sure they complement the elements of your home that will remain unchanged.
Go small: Focus on making numerous small changes, instead of a few drastic ones, to gradually transform your home’s exterior.
Remember, creating a modern house facade isn’t just about big changes. Often, the subtle adjustments bring the most remarkable transformations. Take your time, and with every thoughtful step, you will see your home becoming more and more like the dream dwelling you envision.
Contact me here or via the methods below if we can help you put a plan together for your home renovation, too.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
https://hotspaceconsultants.com/preliminary-enquiry/
