Upgrade your exterior – Trends that combine function and style

Upgrade your exterior - Trends that combine function and style

Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see, so why not make it unforgettable? Today, it’s not only about looking good; functionality is just as crucial. Modern exterior design trends are all about combining sleek style with practical upgrades, making it easier than ever to create a space that’s both durable and visually stunning. In this post, you’ll discover ideas that seamlessly blend function and flair, from eye-catching cladding to game-changing landscaping tips. Ready to take your curb appeal to the next level? Let’s dive in to some of the myriad of ways that you can upgrade your interior.

Why curb appeal matters

First impressions aren’t just for people; your home’s exterior plays a huge role in how it’s perceived. Whether you’re entertaining guests or planning to sell, a polished exterior can make all the difference. But it’s not just about looks – choosing functional upgrades can also add lasting value to your property.

From weather-resistant materials to timeless colour palettes, today’s exterior design trends are as much about practicality as they are about style. A thoughtfully designed exterior not only boosts your home’s value but also makes daily life more enjoyable. Picture coming home to a space that feels as good as it looks – irresistible, right?

The best part? You don’t need a complete overhaul to make a big impact. Thoughtful additions, like cladding or new landscaping, can completely transform your home’s vibe without breaking the bank.

Cladding that stands the test of time

When it comes to upgrading your exterior, wall cladding is having a major moment – and for good reason. Once thought of purely as a protective layer, cladding has evolved into a design feature that can make or break your home’s aesthetic.

Durable and stylish external wall cladding offers a perfect balance of form and function. It provides an extra layer of insulation and protection from the elements while giving your home a sleek, modern look. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of timber or the industrial edge of metal panels, there’s a cladding option to suit every taste.

Homeowners today are opting for materials like fibre cement, stone veneers and composite panels for their resilience and style. Not only do these choices stand up to harsh weather, but they also require minimal maintenance – perfect for anyone looking to upgrade without constant upkeep.

By incorporating cladding into your exterior, you’re not just improving your home’s durability; you’re making a design statement that turns heads.

Modern windows and doors

Windows and doors are more than just entry points; they’re essential design features that can make or break your exterior. With modern innovations, these elements are now a blend of high-end style and top-notch functionality, helping your home stand out while offering practical benefits.

Energy-efficient windows are a major trend, and for good reason. They keep your home comfortable year-round, cutting down on energy bills while looking sleek and contemporary. Large panes of glass, black frames and minimalist designs are all the rage, bringing a modern edge to any home.

As for doors, bold statements are in. Think oversized front doors, pivot styles or even textured finishes like wood grain or metal. These not only add personality but also increase security and durability. By updating your windows and doors, you’re giving your exterior a polished, cohesive look that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

Landscape integration

Your exterior isn’t just your house – it’s also the space surrounding it. Today’s design trends emphasise integrating your landscaping with your home’s architecture to create a seamless, cohesive look.

One popular approach is blending hardscaping features like stone pathways or retaining walls with soft, lush greenery. This mix of textures adds depth and visual interest to your outdoor space. Add in lighting features like pathway lights or uplights on focal trees, and you have a landscape that shines day and night.

Another trend? Low-maintenance landscapes. Native plants, gravel gardens and automated irrigation systems make it easier than ever to have a stunning yard without the constant upkeep. Whether you’re going for a minimalist vibe or a lush, tropical look, thoughtful landscaping can transform your exterior into a cohesive and welcoming oasis.

By focusing on the flow between your home and garden, you’ll elevate your property’s curb appeal while making it a joy to use and admire.

The power of finishing touches

Sometimes, it’s the little details that make the biggest difference. Adding thoughtful finishing touches to your exterior can elevate its entire look without requiring major renovations. Small updates, like new trims, shutters or gutters, can completely refresh your home’s vibe.

A fresh coat of paint is another game-changer. Whether you go for a bold statement colour or a timeless neutral, updating your home’s palette can breathe new life into its exterior. Pairing complementary hues on siding, doors and trims can create a polished, cohesive look that instantly catches the eye.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of décor. House numbers, light fixtures or even a new postbox can give your home personality. These finishing touches are affordable and easy to swap out, allowing you to keep your exterior fresh and stylish over the years.

Conclusion

Your home’s exterior is more than just a façade – it’s a reflection of your style and a key factor in its value. By combining functionality with modern design trends, you can create a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

From durable cladding to seamless landscaping and elegant finishing touches, upgrading your exterior doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few well-chosen updates, your home can make a lasting impression while standing up to everyday demands. Ready to give your exterior the glow-up it deserves? Now’s the time to take the leap!

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Increase your curb appeal with these driveway tips

Increase your curb appeal with these driveway tips

If you’re trying to up the value of your home, the first place that you should look is upgrading your curb appeal. This is not about making sure that the exterior of your home looks good, but increasing curb appeal so that when people approach your house for a viewing, they immediately want to buy it.

Understanding how to increase your curb appeal, whether it’s with permeable pavers on your driveway or beautifully maintained shrubbery in your front yard, is going to help you to sell your home for a price that you’re seeking.

With that in mind, let’s look at how you can increase your curb appeal with these driveway tips that will make the front of your property stand out as an attractive one on the street.

  • Look at the edging. One of the best ways that you can ensure that your driveway looks great is by adding a curb and paver edging stones. Not only are these accessories as stylish as they come, but they can really add that finishing touch that makes it unique. Curb and paver edging stones come in a variety of materials, so you can use sandstone or limestone for that pale, lighter look, or you can use concrete for something with a little more depth. You can get these in a range of colours, too, so they can match the exterior of your home.
  • Let there be light. If you truly want to showcase your driveway, think about the lighting choices you have. Lights don’t just help to make your home look more attractive, they can help you to add that extra layer of security you’ve been looking for. If you’re coming home at nighttime, having your driveway illuminated and ready for you to see is also helpful so that you don’t end up crashing into your house. There are so many different styles and designs that you can choose from when it comes to driveway lighting, but brighter lighting is a great solution. This way, you can bring a qualified electrician to your home to make sure that the wiring and your lighting is safe.
  • Pick a pattern. Do you really want to make a good statement on your driveway? Establishing a pattern with paving installations can really help you to do that. Not only will you draw the eye, but you’ll add value, and that value could end up making sure that your home sells for a lot more. There are plenty of supplies out there who offer flags and pavers in eye-catching patterns, so choose someone who can come and lay that flat driveway for you in one piece.
  • Add a little greenery. For an eye-catching driveway that increases your curb appeal, think about how much greenery your current driveway has and add some more. If you don’t have decent trees, plants or hedging, it’s not going to be as attractive as it could be.

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Give your home’s exterior a modern feel

Give your home's exterior a modern feel

The exterior of the home is an important thing to look after if you’re keen to ensure that your home looks and feels exactly as you want it to. Something that a lot of home-owners want is for the exterior of the home to have a decidedly modern feel. If that’s something that appeals to you, then there are some simple and easy steps you can take to make that happen. We’ll take a look at some of them in this post.

Slate tiled roof on a house

Simplify the roof

A lot of the time, what really makes something look more successfully modern is when there is a lot of easy simplicity going on. One place you can see this in action is on the roof, which is also one of the most important parts of the home’s exterior in general when you want everything to look as good as possible. If you make a point of simplifying the design of the roof from the outset, that is going to help modernise the entire home, especially how it looks from the outside.

Houses with different cladding on the exterior

Use cladding

If you’re looking at your walls and you want them to look more modern, you have a number of options available to you. But you probably want something that is sleek and easy on the eye, and which is going to be a simple thing to install too. For all of these reasons, you should consider using plastic cladding for at least some of the walls on the exterior, especially those facing any patio areas you might have. This is a great way to give a little freshness to the appearance, and it’s really amazing the difference it can make.

House with yellow painted exterior and white windows

Window trim accents

A good way to make a home look modern is to think about some of the accents that you can see. These are essentially just small details that people might not notice consciously, but which make a profound difference to the look of the place overall when the exterior of the home is regarded as a whole. One example here is the window trims, which you can really be very playful with if you want to improve your home’s exterior and make it look more modern. There are a lot of things you can do here, but whatever you choose, make sure that you’re being creative and focusing on the modern.

Garden with path, trellis and feature plant pot

Declutter the garden

Finally, remember that a modern look very often depends on everything looking as stripped-back as possible. In order to achieve that, you need to make sure that you’re keeping the garden clear of clutter, so that you can regard the outside of the home and not feel as if there is just too much there. Keeping the garden always clear of clutter can be quite challenging, but as long as you work at it you should be able to do it easily enough.

With these simple changes, your home’s exterior is going to look and feel more modern on the whole.

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