Don’t over-commit on your home’s exterior renovation – small updates can make a massive difference and save you thousands!
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that a complete overhaul is necessary, but the truth is that you can often make a big impact to your home’s exterior with even just minor adjustments – when you do the right things.
While your ‘go-to’ solution of a re-paint and a yard tidy are valid, you’ll find there are numerous other ways to make small but significant changes – and allow you to beautifully update your home without breaking the bank.
Every day I hear about home owners doing unnecessary updates, using the wrong colours, making mistakes that could have been avoidable, and forgetting the small but essential tweaks that would otherwise have transformed their home.
Investing in design help is the best way to avoid these problems and ensuring you make the very most of the money you spend on your renovation. Here are some others;
1) Use cost-effective materials and products generously – depending on your home and budget, this might include painting, rendering or inexpensive cladding, landscaping and other items that cover largers areas on your home.
2) Use more expensive materials and products sparingly – this might include feature stone, timber (or timber-look) cladding, new lighting, hardscaping features and other areas where small accents can make a big impact.
3) Focus on small updates – give your home a fresh look by updating your front door, adding new wall lights, planting a feature tree, replacing old paths with pavers, fixing up your front fence and painting old windows.
4) DIY where possible – Make your $$$ go further by doing some of the work yourself (or have a working bee with your family and friends by bribing them with pizza and beer!). For example, painting easy-to-access areas, landscaping, easy hardscaping and any cleaning/power-washing. However, it’s important to be realistic about your skills and abilities. If you’re not comfortable doing a particular task, it’s better to hire a professional than to risk causing damage to your home.
5) Shop around for products & tradies – I find a good way is to email/text photos or plans and have a quick phone discussion and get a ballpark figure before inviting tradies or suppliers to your home to quote. Get a few quotes before committing as there may be a significant difference in your options. And remember, the most expensive is not always best and the cheapest is not always worst!
For a fool-proof way to updating the exterior of your home, check out my Facade Design Plan service.
We’ll work through options together on Live video (Zoom) so you are involved with the development of the concept and can assist in creating a look you will love (I will also introduce new ideas/tweaks and extra details to bring the best out of the house).
Send me a photo of your home to jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or ph 0411705556 to see if it’s suitable for the Facade Design Plan service.
Jane
Bold colour combinations can create a stunning and stand-out look for your home’s exterior. And while there are plenty of pros to using bold colours, there are also a few potential drawbacks to consider. Here are some pro’s and con’s of using a bold colour scheme so you can make an informed decision that works for your style, budget, and climate.
The Pros:
Looks amazing: One of the most significant advantages of using bold colour combinations on your home’s exterior is that it can look stunning and will never blend in with all the other houses in the street. Bold colours make a statement, create a unique look, and add your personality to the outside of your home.
Contemporary look: A bold colour combination will give your home a modern/contemporary look, especially if you use multiple block areas of one colour or material. This can be especially useful if you’re looking to update an older home to create a more modern aesthetic.
Hides imperfections well: Darker colours, in particular, can help hide imperfections on your home’s exterior, such as dents, scratches, or other blemishes. So not only will you achieve a contemporary look, the end result will look slicker and more refined.
The Cons:
Difficult to visualise: One potential drawback of using bold colour combinations on your home’s exterior is that they can be challenging to visualise what the final result will look like. Unlike painting a small room in your house, repainting the exterior of your home is a significant undertaking, so you want to be sure you’re making the right decision.
Dark colours can attract heat: Dark colours, such as black or dark grey, can attract heat from the sun, making them unsuitable for homes in warmer climates. Using these colours in areas with harsh sunlight can also cause the paint to fade more quickly.
May not suit all architectural styles: Bold colour combinations may not be suitable for all architectural styles. For example, a Victorian-style home may look better in more traditional colours, such as white, greige/grey/beige, rather than bold, contemporary colours.
So, some pro’s and cons to consider! Do you dare transform your home with a bold, contrasting colour scheme?
If you love the idea going bold, but can’t quite muster the courage to do it, perhaps seeing a mock-up of the final look would help. If so, a Facade Design Plan is perfect for you.
Find out more here and email a photo of your home to me at jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or text 0411705556.
Jane
Creating a visually appealing and cohesive house involves more than just selecting some nice colours and materials. To make your home’s exterior ‘pop’, it is crucial to consider the composition of these elements and how they work together. Here are 4 key considerations:
How much is too much? Use a ratio of different colours and materials that complement each other to achieve a harmonious design. Carefully consider the proportion of each colour and material used to avoid an unbalanced look. Too much or too little of a particular colour, cladding or product will kill the look.
Consider the texture, finish, and scale of materials. Large-scale materials like a stone feature wall can make a house appear grand, while smaller-scale elements like cladding or lighting can add interest and create a layered look. Use this knowledge to layer small features or make your home’s exterior ‘pop’ with a grand gesture at the entrance.
Select colours with a careful balance of different hues, ensuring that none over-power the others. Using a primary colour and other colours as accents can create a focal point and add interest. Weave the colours together by ‘sprinkling’ them around your exterior – or do what fashion designers do and ‘colour block’ (very trendy right now in exterior design!).
Incorporate five to six different materials and colours for enough variation to create interest and depth while maintaining a cohesive look. Adding more than six can make the design look busy and cluttered, while using fewer than five can result in a flat and uninteresting design.
Click here to see some examples of how using these concepts will give a ‘designer’ look to your home!
Reach out to me at jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or ph 0411705556 to see if your home is suitable for our services.
Jane
Looking to give your home exterior a much-needed glow up without breaking the bank? By focusing on a few key areas and adding small but impactful details, you really can transform your street appeal without having to sell a kidney. Here are some tips to get you started:
Don’t try to change everything! It can be tempting to try and change every single aspect of your home’s exterior, but unless you have a big-ish budget, this strategy is probably best avoided. Instead, focus on three to four key areas or items that will give you maximum impact. By doing less, but making it good quality, you avoid spreading your budget too thinly.
👇Design created for a Facade Design Plan client👇
Select significantly different colours & accessories than the existing. Once you’ve chosen the areas and surfaces to update, select colours and materials that are completely different than what is existing. This could be a different wall, roof and/or trim colour, or a totally different balustrade style. Add plenty of texture with materials such as stone, timber or textured cladding. Updates like this will transform your home like nothing else without the need for a complete overhaul.
Include small but impactful details. In addition to making several significant changes, small but impactful details will add to the drama and interest created on the outside of your home. Exterior wall lighting, garden edging, window mouldings, and a new mailbox are just a few of the small details that can all add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home’s exterior.
Keep it simple. Avoid overcomplicating your home’s exterior with too many details or colours. Focus on clean lines and simple, elegant designs that will stand the test of time. This will not only keep costs down, but it will also ensure that your home’s exterior remains timeless and classic.
Get help! It might sound counter-intuitive to pay for help, but a good designer will save you money AND make your home look amazing.
Find out more about how we can help here.
Send me a photo of your home to jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or text to 0411705556.
Jane
When updating the exterior of your home, it’s important to create a visual flow that complements the interior.
Whether you have a Hamptons theme, Contemporary, or any other style inside, incorporating it outside will help you achieve a cohesive aesthetic throughout your home. However, it can be challenging to figure out where to start – what colours and items to repeat in order to achieve a beautiful consistent look. Here are some ideas to get you going…
1. Stick to a general ‘over-arching’ style: When updating your home’s exterior, it’s crucial to choose a general style and stick with it. This will help you narrow down your options and make choosing your final colours and alterations much more manageable. If you have achieved a certain style on the interior of your home, name it, then use it as inspiration for your exterior.
2. Use Pinterest for inspiration: Pinterest is a fantastic resource for gathering ideas that fit with the style you’re trying to achieve. You can create a board and save images that you like, making it easier to refer back to them when needed.
3. Consider the colours: Choosing the right colours for your home’s exterior is crucial to achieving a cohesive design. I like to use some of the same colours from the interior on the exterior where possible. This might be on the under sides of the eaves, or on a feature tile. There are plenty of ways to bring the same colours through from your interior to your exterior. If you need help with this, consider consulting a professional (such as Hotspace) to ensure your whole design looks cohesive.
4. Upgrade your landscaping: Your landscaping plays a significant role in your home’s exterior design and provides a level of softness like nothing else. Consider upgrading your landscaping by adding new plants, flowers, or trees. You can also add a garden bed or incorporate new hardscaping elements such as a pathway, retaining wall, or patio. Link plant species and even paver colours etc to colours inside your home, for the ultimate in cohesive design!
5. Update your fence: Your fence is an essential part of your home’s exterior, and updating it can significantly enhance your home’s overall look. Consider upgrading your fence style or even just the colour so that it blends in with the house exterior and the interior areas as well.
6. Pay attention to details: The small details can make a big difference in your home’s exterior design. You can match details big and small to ensure you end up with a cohesive and stunning effect – from the lighting, to the mailbox numbers, to the driveway colour!
7. Work with a professional: If you’re worried about choosing your exterior colours and struggling to bring your ideas together in a cohesive design, get in touch with a trained designer. At Hotspace we have several different options to work with us… Facade Design Plan (renovations) and New-Facade Design Plans (new home facades and extensions).
Send me your plans or photos of your home to jane@hotspaceconsultants.com or text 0411705556 to see if your home is suitable for our services.
Jane
Is your home missing the X-Factor? Timber accents are an excellent way to give your home’s exterior a lift, but there are things you should know before taking the leap!
Here are a few of the pro’s and con’s…
Pros of natural Timber:
Aesthetic appeal – Timber is a natural and warm material that can add a touch of charm and character to any home.
Durability – If properly maintained, timber can last for decades, even centuries, making it a great investment.
Energy Efficiency – Timber has natural insulating properties that can help to reduce energy consumption and lower heating and cooling costs.
Versatility – Timber can be used in a wide range of applications, including cladding, decking, and fencing, making it a versatile material choice.
👇Nicholson Facade designed as part of our Facade Design Plan service 👇
Cons of natural Timber:
Maintenance – Timber requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains in good condition. This includes regular cleaning, staining, and sealing to protect against rot, moisture, and pests.
Cost – High-quality timber can be expensive, particularly if you opt for a more exotic wood species.
Environmental Impact – The use of timber can have a significant environmental impact, particularly if it is sourced from unsustainable sources or not managed properly.
Fire Risk – Timber is a flammable material, and in areas prone to wildfires, it may not be the best choice for exterior cladding.
Alternative Materials:
If you still want the look of timber but don’t want the ‘Cons’ that go with it, an aluminium or composite alternative could be a good option.
Here are some pro’s and con’s of these:
Pro’s of timber-look aluminium or composite:
>> Low maintenance
>> Durable
>> Versatile
Con’s of timber-look aluminium or composite:
>> Can be expensive
>> Can look ‘flat’ since there is no natural variation in the colour
If you like the timber look and would like assistance incorporating it into your home (whether real timber or timber-look), check out our Facade Design Plan service (or https://hotspaceconsultants.com/new-build-extensions-facade-design/ for new home facades and extensions).
Let me know if you have any questions!
Jane – jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Or Phone/text 0411705556.
