Picture this: you’ve just completed your house extension or garage addition, but instead of the seamless integration you envisioned, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
A poorly planned and mismatched extension can not only diminish your home’s aesthetics but also affect its value. Avoid turning your home into a Frankenstein’s monster by following the following essential 6 do’s and don’ts.
1) DO ensure colours and materials from the extension link back visually to the existing house, so everything looks cohesive. Ignoring the original design elements and colours can lead to a disjointed and mismatched appearance.
2) DO aim for a style you love – anything is possible (even turning a brick home into Hamptons-esque!). Embrace your unique preferences, but ensure the style blends well with the existing structure.
3) DON’T forget to think about the roofline. When planning your extension, make sure the new roof complements the existing one. A poorly designed roof can not only look unattractive but also lead to water damage and other structural issues.
4) DO pay attention to windows and doors. Choose designs that harmonize with the rest of your home and maintain a consistent look. If you can’t match old with new, think outside of the box! There are plenty of techniques that’ll avoid having to replace every window and door on your home.
5) DON’T skimp on the budget for materials and craftsmanship. Good-quality materials and expert workmanship can make all the difference in achieving a cohesive and visually appealing extension. Cutting corners may lead to an unsightly and structurally unsound addition.
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can ensure your home extension not only adds value to your property but also enhances its beauty. Remember, a well-designed and thoughtfully planned extension can blend seamlessly with your existing home, creating cohesive and harmonious Street Appeal. Don’t let your dream extension become a nightmarish tumor – invest time, effort, and resources to get it right!
Contact me below to discuss if we can help you complete your home’s extension in style.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
Enquiry page
Finalising the exterior of your new-build home or extension can be a daunting task, and even with the help of an architect or building designer, it’s not uncommon to feel uncertain about the proposed design. Since the exterior of your home is what sets the tone for your property and makes a lasting impression on visitors and passersby alike, you probably will want to get it spot on! If you’re not completely confident in your design, do consider help from an exterior expert (Hotspace or otherwise) who can guide you towards a solution that you’re truly happy with. Here are a few things to consider…
Adding Natural Elements: Incorporating natural materials into your home’s design is a great way to create a timeless and classic look that will never go out of style. Some popular natural materials to consider include:
- Timber: Whether you opt for real timber or a timber-look composite or aluminium, this material adds warmth and texture to any home design.
- Stone: Stone can be used to create a rustic, country-style look or a sleek and modern aesthetic, depending on the type of stone and how it’s used in the design.
- Brick: Brick is a classic building material that adds character and charm to any home’s exterior.
Playing with Colour: When it comes to selecting colours for your home’s exterior, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the surrounding environment and choose colours that complement the natural landscape. Second, think about the style of your home you want to achieve and select colours that will enhance its unique features. Some colour options to consider include:
- Neutral tones: These colours are versatile and can work with a variety of design styles. Think light beige, grey, white or off white
- Bold hues: If you want to make a statement, consider a bright or bold colour like charcoal or black (or Sage is a favourite of mine ATM too!)
- Accents: Using accents of colour on features like doors or trims can add interest to an otherwise neutral palette.
Maximizing Kerb Appeal: Kerb appeal is all about making a great first impression, and there are a few things you can do to enhance the exterior of your home:
- Landscaping: Adding some well-placed plants and bushes can go a long way in making your home feel welcoming and inviting.
- Lighting: Outdoor lighting can highlight your home’s best features and make it stand out at night.
- Upgrades: Replacing an old front door, updating your windows, or adding mouldings can instantly boost your home’s kerrb appeal.
Balancing Form and Function: When designing your home’s exterior (extension or new build), it’s important to find the right balance between form and function. Some things to consider include:
- Size and scale: Make sure the proportions of your home’s exterior materials are balanced and harmonious. For example, if you have small areas of wall, don’t use a larger scale cladding or stone as it will look out of proportion.
- Roof design: Choose a roof style that complements the overall design of your home and is appropriate for the local climate.
- Materials: Select materials that are both aesthetically pleasing and durable enough to withstand the elements.
Don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to designing your home’s exterior. Mix up the materials and textures and add interesting accent details.
You have one chance to get this right, so if you need a professional eye to help you create the very best exterior design you can, get in touch with me via email/phone or the enquiry page.
Jane
jane@hotspaceconsultants.com
Ph 0411705556
Enquiry page
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
