Sorry to be a Debbie-Downer, but beautifully renovated/designed home exteriors don’t come from flicking through inspiration images for kerb appeal ideas and picking your favourite paint. Unfortunately, this very common little misstep can become a pretty costly lesson. If you want a seamless, cohesive look that really wows, don’t wing it – start with the right strategy from the outset. For real-life examples of what works, take a look at my before and after’s gallery
1. Kerb appeal ideas that can go wrong (and why)
Sadly, not all kerb appeal ideas and trends you find on the internet will translate well on your home. I’ve lost count of houses I’ve driven past, where mismatched materials, feature walls gone wrong, or not-quite-right paint choices create more confusion than style. Here’s what often goes awry:
- Using too many competing materials in the wrong way: timber, stone, render, all clashing instead of working together
- Choosing colours that don’t quite work together
- Trying to mimic magazine homes without considering your house’s true shape or era
- Overdoing the “statement” features, like a chunky pillar or loud cladding, so nothing feels special
👇👇Designed By Hotspace👇👇
2. Make a plan before you begin
Imagine you’ve finished building your home or renovating your facade/exterior. You like it – but you don’t LOVE it! This could have been avoided with a clear plan and cohesive vision. When you anchor every design decision in a consistent aesthetic, the finished project feels intentional instead of accidental. Here’s what makes the difference:
- Start by defining one strong statement element, such as a sleek new entry or timber accent
- Limit yourself to two or three complementary textures (e.g. render, vertical cladding, and smooth timber)
- Stick to a timeless, neutral colour scheme… think whites, off-whites, grey, charcoal, timber, or black
- Overlay horizontal or vertical lines to break up boxy shapes and draw the eye
- Reference the home’s era to guide modern updates, so your facade feels considered, not forced
This strategy ensures your investment pays off not just today, but for years to come. See how a coordinated facade plan works for both classic renovations and new builds here
3. Materials, colours and finishes that bring your home to life
The fastest way to elevate the street presence of your home is by focusing on quality architectural features. I always recommend high-impact materials and finishes that deliver sophistication:
- Vertical timber panelling for warmth and dimension – from light Oaks to darker timbers
- Rendered surfaces in soft whites or pale greys
- Sharp, matte black trims to give the design punch without overpowering
- Timber or composite battens for shading and privacy, adding texture and visual layers
- Simple, wide-format rooflines. No quirky shapes or fussy details
The trick is restraint: too many features, and it slips into chaos; too few, and you risk another cookie-cutter result.
4. Transforming your facade with custom ideas
Every home exterior (unlike kitchens/bathrooms etc) needs tailored kerb appeal ideas – not generic templates. Working with a professional exterior designer means you avoid the most common – and the most expensive, pitfalls. Clients come to Hotspace often after they’ve already tried but failed to improve their current or previous home – or they’ve watched neighbours and friends botch their own new homes or renovations.
Here’s what expert help provides:
- Personalised facade concepts – no recycled Pinterest tricks
- Timeless, layered colour schemes chosen for your specific site and home
- Detailed design specs for easy implementation
- Recommendations for trusted material suppliers so what’s on paper works in real life
You deserve a home that turns heads and feels completely yours – from the very first glance. So if you want to make sure you achieve that (and worried you can’t do it on your own) you can get in touch with me directly via the link below.