Australia has beautiful landscapes and architecture, but sometimes we want our home to stand out in our neighbourhood. So if you have just gotten out of the rental world and finally got your own place, you have to see how you can make it more unique. Now, there are many ways we can do that no matter where we are because of the great climate. Upgrading the outdoor area with a pergola in Sydney or Melbourne is the obvious route, many people take. But there is much more you can do and in this post, we will take a look at the different ways you can spruce up a house exterior!
House Exterior Design
The first thing all your neighbours and any person who passes through the street is your yard and the exterior of your house. So, we need to make the exterior noticeable if we want to stand out, and we can do it by choosing the right walls, doors, and windows. We recommend that you plan everything in advance, including the amount of money you’re willing to spend. If you’re hiring a renovation expert, make sure to include their fee in your budget.
Choosing the right walls
When you’re choosing the exterior walls of your home, think about the different materials and how you can combine them. Wood and brick can be nice on their own, but it’s even better if they were incorporated together. There is also the option of stone walls which are quite popular currently as they can give your house a very rustic and cottage vibe. For a two-story house, a brick or stone bottom with a wooden top is a great combination.
If you’re going towards a more modern look, consider going for a clear concrete wall. It helps create a more industrial look and is easily combined with big modern windows and darker colours. It’s also very energy efficient since it provides great insulation, saving you from the hot summers and cold winters. Fibre cement is also an option that is more budget-friendly and very adaptable to different exterior styles.
And if you’re not shy, you can even go for laminated glass walls. It’s a very bold move since your house might look a bit like a display case, but with big enough curtains it should work out.
Choosing the right doors
Here, we’re talking about the front door and the garage door if you have one. There are several things to consider when choosing the door type. You need to think about the aesthetics, security, and materials:
- Wood: We usually choose wood because it’s the most beautiful for us, but there’s a variety of wood species we can choose from, and it’s best to choose the wood species that can endure different climate types. For example, mahogany is the most popular timber choice because of its durability and deep natural colour. Oak, on the other hand, is preferred by people living in more humid areas, since it’s quite water-resistant and doesn’t warp in time.
- Steel: It’s best for obvious security reasons. If it’s installed with a steel frame, the steel door is most durable. However, when the door is exposed to sunlight, it gets highly heated and this can increase the temperature in our home. This can be easily resolved if you just apply a special kind of heat-resistant varnish or clear finish with UV protection.
- Fibreglass: These should be the average choice and they can be designed to your liking. Also, they’re not very durable for bad weather, but with proper maintenance, they can have increased durability. Most fibreglass doors imitate different materials such as wood very successfully with the only difference is that they are a lot less susceptible to the various weather conditions.
Choosing the right windows
Even if you decide to go for glass walls, you can’t completely forget about installing actual windows. If you want to continue with the modern look, then go for clean, simple designs. For a more cottage type of look, install exterior shutters and maybe decorate them with flower boxes.
Bay windows are certainly a fan-favourite since they can be quite versatile in terms of styles – they go with both a modern and a rustic look. And the best part is that they give your house an interesting shape so it doesn’t look so flat. It’s important to note, however, that even the best-looking windows can make a bad impression if they are not clean. And if scrubbing glass doesn’t sound very tempting to you, then just hire a window cleaning expert to do it for you on a regular basis.
Pay attention to the window frames, as well. They should match with the doors and walls in terms of colour and material. And when we talk about colour, we don’t mean choosing the same ones everywhere. A bold colour on the window frames and doors can make a big difference in the exterior of your home. If you’re not sure you want to commit to something like this, there are many free-to-use architect programs that you can use to design the house and try out different colours. If such apps are a bit hard for you to figure out, the Sims 4 is also a great option.
Making Your Yard Stand Out
If you have a lot of space at the front of your house, you will have many options to make the area unique. However, it’s not all about looks. Gardens and lawns need time and care, and you have to consider if you will have enough resources to maintain them. Even a simple lawn needs to be mulched, mowed and cleared regularly to maintain its tidy look. Of course, you can always hire professional gardeners to do it instead, but if you don’t have the means, then you have to go for a design that it’s easy to maintain.
An interesting choice is a gravel patio and garden. It will take care of having to maintain an entire lawn and cutting grass constantly, while still looking stylish and interesting. You can leave it clean and just place your garden furniture and barbeque area over there, or you can make a garden. Placing potted plants is also a great way to spruce up the outside with less effort.
A very unique idea is trying Xeriscaping. If you’re wondering what that is, you can check out this article. Logically, it’s a lot easier because it uses Australia’s natural climate and native plants. This will also help if you want to create a sustainable place that will attract beneficial insects to your garden.
Conclusion
It’s always flattering to know that your property looks unique and stands out from all the other houses on the street. However, it’s important that it’s also functional and sustainable. Don’t commit to a certain trend just because other people are into it. Choose a design and create an exterior that you truly enjoy and are proud of. And if you want to make the process a lot easier, just hire a professional. They can advise you on the best materials and options for your property that will serve you for many years to come.
Tags: home design
