Your property’s exterior tells people what to expect about the interior, but what if these two aesthetics don’t align? Whether you recently purchased your home or you’ve had it for decades and need help figuring out where to start, you’re not alone! Using the right materials and features can transform your entire property.
Here’s everything you need to know about making a cohesive home.
Understanding Your Home’s Architectural Style
Is your home the kind that looks best with wood roof shingles? Does it work more for slate? It can be hard to pin down your home’s style if you’re not sure what to look for, but almost every home can be pinned down to a specific style. Looking at other homes in that style can give you a great idea of what will work with your home.
Of course, there are some who are able to play around and step outside of the rules. This might mean adding a modern twist to a mid-century home, but it’s vital that you only attempt this if you know what you’re doing. It’s a good idea to know and understand the rules before you try to break them for your property.
If you’re unsure what style your home is, consider talking to a realtor or real estate agent. Not only should they be able to pinpoint what your home is, but they’ll also be able to point you in the right direction to find similar homes to yours for inspiration.
Complementing Exterior Materials with Landscape Elements
The exterior of your home should feel like one harmonized picture. Although there are popular siding colors that work with almost any property, you should consider the color of your roof, shutters, and plant life before you settle on a final choice.
Remember that texture also matters! If you have a lot of sleep surfaces on the exterior of your home, you can toss in one or two rugged rock-textured items, but it has to be purposefully done. Having a million different unique colors, textures, styles, and ideas will lead to a home that looks cluttered and poorly thought out.
Don’t be disappointed if your first attempt doesn’t turn out perfectly! This is an art form that takes years, practice, money, and patience to perfect. Over time, you’ll figure out what you like and what works for your property, and you’ll be able to put that into action to create something even more incredible.
Tailoring Hardscape Elements to Match Home Design
Whether you have a gravel driveway or a brick one: your home’s details need to work together. To do this, consider the spacing, color, and hue of every detail you add. This can mean going for cool-toned concrete for your driveway if your roof is a bluish-slate color, or it could mean going for something warm that will match the brick of your property.
Remember that hardscaping is more than just pathways! This can mean concrete surrounding garden spaces, fire pits, lounging areas, and so much more. You have complete freedom to do something new and exciting as long as it fits the style and colors of your home.
Choosing Plants to Compliment the Style and Materials
Plants are a hard pick, which can be even more difficult if you have a tight budget. In a perfect world, you’d want to fill your lawn with native plants that need less additional water, and thrive in the environment you’re in, but this isn’t feasible for everyone.
Look for a variety of heights and shapes with colors that continue to work well with your home. You can add pops of variety to really mix things up, but remember that doing this too often can muddy the look of your property and leave it feeling cluttered.
Consider how much time and effort you’re going to be able to put into these plants every week. The less local a plant is, the more time and effort you’re going to have to put in to keep it alive.
Adding Finishing Touches
When you’re finally getting your home where you want it to be, it’s time for finishing touches! This can mean exterior lighting to show off your home, updated house numbers, and even additional exterior seating and entertainment spaces.
Art is great to consider at this point! Whether it’s simple sculptures or ornate small statues, go for something that matches your taste while still working well with the look and style of your property.
Remember the importance of safety! Adding small details like an exterior handrail can make the property safer for everyone while still staying aesthetically pleasing.
Landscaping Can Shape How Buyers View Your Home
Curb appeal is the driving force that can pull buyers to your property. If you plan carefully, complete these tips, and check out Design Scapes Inc., you’ll sell in no time!
Author Bio:
Hi, I’m Richard Callahan, a Landscape Architect for El Paso Artificial Grass & Turf. I currently call El Paso, Texas home. Prior to joining El Paso Artificial Grass & Turf, I worked with another landscape architect company in Phoenix, Arizona. I specialize in xeriscaping and focus on bringing the native beauty of the southwest into my designs.
