Curb appeal isn’t only relevant when you’re trying to sell your home. It matters just as much how you feel when you drive up after a long day at work and see the place you call home. Investing in an exterior home makeover can improve your curb appeal in a way that not only impresses others and improves your home’s value, but also brings you a sense of pride and satisfaction each time you pull into your driveway.
At Lamont Bros. Design & Construction, we’re no stranger to exterior home improvement projects. As one of the Portland area’s top remodeling companies, we’ve helped transform everything from the average suburban family home to multi-million dollar historic mansions. If you’re looking for the best ways to give your home and exterior makeover, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll cover several of the exterior home improvement projects that we’ve seen make the most difference in the lives of our clients. Once you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a list of exterior makeover ideas to consider for your own home. The specific home improvements we’ll cover include:
- Landscaping options to enhance your home’s exterior
- Hardscape elements that add character and functionality
- Key facade improvements for maximum impact
- Real-world examples of successful makeovers
Landscaping Improvements for a Stunning First Impression
When it comes to enhancing your home’s exterior, landscaping is perhaps the first element that sets your home up for a great first impression. The way your yard looks is a reflection of your independent style and provides an opportunity to create a welcoming environment from the moment you step foot on the property.
Xeriscaping: Low Maintenance, High Impact
Xeriscaping is a landscaping style currently gaining popularity, especially for homeowners living in dry regions and are looking to reduce their environmental footprint. This landscaping approach involves using plants that require minimal water, such as succulents, ornamental grasses, and cacti, combined with various types of rock features.
Advantages of Xeriscaping:
- Water Efficiency: Xeriscaping significantly reduces the need for irrigation, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly option.
- Unique Aesthetic Appeal: The combination of drought-resistant plants and rock features can create a striking, modern landscape that stands out from more traditional yards.
- Low Maintenance: With fewer plants that require regular watering and care, xeriscaping allows you to enjoy a beautiful yard with less effort.
Traditional Lawn: Classic Beauty and Versatility
The traditional lawn remains a staple of American homes, offering a lush, green expanse that is both beautiful and versatile.
Advantages of a Traditional Lawn:
- Timeless Appeal: The classic look of a green lawn is universally recognized as attractive and can complement almost any home style.
- Flexible Design: A lawn provides a flexible backdrop that can be easily adapted to various landscaping features, such as flower beds, trees, or water features.
- Space for Activities: A lawn offers a soft, open space for activities like picnics, games, or simply relaxing outdoors.
Hardscape Enhancements: Adding Structure and Style
While landscaping sets the tone for your home’s exterior, hardscape elements provide the structure and functionality that bring the design together. Hardscapes include pathways, driveways, patios, and other non-plant features that add both aesthetic value and functionality to your outdoor space.
Creating Inviting Pathways
Paver Pathways: Pavers are a favorite for constructing pathways because they add character, texture, and depth to the grounds of your home. A gently curving paver pathway can soften the approach to your home, adding a sense of natural flow.
This technique draws the eye toward key features like your front door, garden beds, or other exterior features. Pavers are also very practical, as they shed water more effectively than solid concrete, an especially valuable feature in the rainy Pacific Northwest.
Lighting Integration: Adding lighting along pathways not only increases safety but also highlights the beauty of your landscaping after dark. Consider installing low-profile LED lights or decorative lanterns to illuminate the way and create a warm, welcoming ambiance.
Enhancing Driveways
Textured Driveways: Textured driveways, such as those made with stamped concrete or patterned pavers, offer a visually striking alternative to plain concrete or asphalt. These materials can be customized to mimic the look of stone, brick, or even wood, adding a layer of sophistication and uniqueness to your home’s exterior.
If texturing the entire driveway is out of the question, consider a textured border to add character in a more economical way.
Framing with Greenery: You can also complement a driveway by bordering it with plants or hedges to create a defined and inviting entryway. This approach ties the driveway into the surrounding landscape, bridging the gap between landscape and hardscape elements.
Designing Functional Decks and Patios
Connection to the Home: If you’re planning to add a deck or patio, make sure to position it in a location that provides an easy transition from indoor to outdoor spaces. This is particularly effective when it is connected to key areas like the kitchen or living room, making it convenient for outdoor dining and entertaining.
Layered Spaces: If you have yard space to spare, consider a multi-level deck or patio to define different areas for lounging, dining, or even a fire pit. This adds depth and interest to your outdoor space while allowing for a variety of activities and uses.
Covered Areas for All-Weather Use: Adding a pergola or roof over part of your deck or patio extends its usability throughout the year. This feature provides shade in the summer and protection from rain, making your outdoor space comfortable and functional regardless of the weather.
Facade Improvements: Making a Strong First Impression
While landscaping and hardscaping form the appeal of the property, the facade is the face of your house—the first thing people notice as they approach. Enhancing the facade of your home is one of the most impactful ways to boost curb appeal and make a stylistic statement.
Updating the Front Door and Garage Door
Your front door and garage door are key elements in creating a welcoming and cohesive exterior. These features serve as focal points that are easy to update and can set the tone for your home’s style.
Front Door: Replacing or refinishing your front door can have a dramatic effect on your home’s curb appeal. Choose a door that is both high in quality and complements the architectural style of your home. You can read about the different types of entryway doors in our article, “Good, Better, Best: Exterior Doors.”
Garage Door: The garage door often takes up a significant portion of the home’s facade. As a result, updating your garage door can go a long way toward improving your home’s curb appeal. Modern garage doors come in a variety of styles, from classic carriage-house designs to minimalist, clean-lined options.
Upgrading your garage door has one of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project, especially if you’re considering selling in the future.
Refreshing the Siding
The siding of your home covers the majority of the exterior surface, making it one of the most noticeable aspects of your home’s facade. Refreshing or replacing your siding can transform the look of your home, making it appear more modern, clean, and well-maintained.
Material Choices: Consider upgrading to materials like fiber cement, cedar shake, or stone veneer to add texture and character. For a more contemporary look, horizontal lap siding in neutral tones can provide a sleek and modern appearance.
Each material offers different benefits in terms of durability, maintenance, and aesthetic appeal, so choose one that aligns with your style and climate considerations.
Board and Batten: For homeowners looking for a classic yet stylish look, board and batten siding is a great affordable option. This vertical siding style adds a unique texture and can make your home appear taller and more stately. It’s particularly effective in accent areas, such as gables or entryways, where you want to draw attention.
Real-World Examples: Transforming Homes with Exterior Makeovers
Here are two recent examples of exterior home makeovers by our team at Lamont Bros. These projects highlight how thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship can dramatically improve curb appeal.
Craftsman-Style Transformation
In this recent project, a homeowner who had just moved to the area wanted to personalize her new house and improve its curb appeal. We started by installing a beautiful paver driveway that both enhanced the home’s entryway and provided practical benefits like improved drainage.
The project also featured a custom front porch that complemented the home’s Craftsman aesthetic, offering protection from the rain while adding a cozy, inviting feel. Additional pathway lighting further enhanced the overall ambiance of the home, making the exterior welcoming both day and night.
Mountain Timber Frame Project
Another exterior makeover project involved a classic timber-frame home with breathtaking views of Mount Hood.
To complement the home’s natural surroundings, we extended the front porch and added a large timber-framed patio cover. These elements created a grand entrance that highlighted the home’s rustic architecture and helped tie the visual elements of the home into the surrounding nature.
We also installed outdoor lighting that illuminated the front steps, making the house stand out beautifully at night. The end result was a stunning transformation that blended seamlessly with the home’s natural forest environment and significantly increased its curb appeal.
Want to Explore Options For Your Exterior Home Makeover?
After reading about these common home exterior improvement projects, do you have a better idea of how you might enhance the curb appeal of your own home? As you consider your options, make sure you are prepared for the remodeling process ahead. To help you prepare for a great experience, download our free guide, “6 Steps For a Successful Remodel.” In it, you can read industry advice from remodeling experts on how you can have a smooth and unforgettable remodeling experience, regardless of what you change in your home.
Ready to stop dreaming and start remodeling? If you want to speak directly with a remodeling expert about your home exterior makeover, click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team.