There is a lot more to a home than its interior design or its architecture. While these are defining features, a house consists of many small parts of a whole that define its entire style. Suppose you’re interested in recreating or designing a home with a more contemporary curb appeal. In that case, a few exterior home features will define your home’s overall look more than others. Let’s walk through them in this quick guide.
1. Landscaping
Landscaping is arguably the most prominent feature when it comes to curb appeal. Well-defined paths and shapes are keys to modern landscaping features. LED exterior lighting in the form of sleek, subtle garden lights or scenic string lights is quite common. Urban farming with small herb, vegetable, and fruit crops is trendy, too. Natural materials make up modern gardens, and recycled or repurposed materials are a bonus. Be sure to incorporate contrasting colors, shapes, textures, and materials for peak modernity.
2. Driveway and Entryway
It may not seem like a home’s driveway plays a significant role in curb appeal, but it’s one of the central features of a home’s exterior. Modern homes enjoy driveways with defined, bordered bricks, wide gaps for vegetation, and darker, bolder colors. Darker driveways can complement the accompanying entryway door as well. White doors are a feature of the past; bold colors like black, dark gray, yellow, or even cyan paint modern entryways. Dark or natural wood doors are also popular, with window slits as a bonus.
3. Roofing
A roof says a lot about a home’s style and is vital to its energy efficiency, another critical feature of contemporary residences. Metal roofing is one of the most popular choices for modern homes, as it showcases a boxy, modular look that minimalists who love clean lines prefer. Metal roofing is also incredibly durable regardless of climate or temperature and can last a very long time. Metal saves homeowners money by reflecting hot sun rays away from the home’s interior, too. Living roofs are also quite popular in modern home styles to give back to the environment and create a unique look for the home. Solar panel roofing also provides a great way to host solar panels and enjoy clean, efficient energy.
4. Windows
Modern home designs are all about modular, sleek minimalism, plenty of natural light, and scenic views. One of the easiest ways to incorporate modern themes is through the home’s windows. If you have more traditional-style framed windows, consider switching them to fixed or pivot-style ones with bold but minimal frames and expansive glass coverage. Additionally, increasing the number of windows in your home or their size can be a great way to bring modern curb appeal, though that requires more hands-on work.
5. Siding
Many traditional homes feature the typical white or beige vinyl siding. Modern homes look to change traditional siding or exterior materials to include bold colors, mixed materials, or interesting textures. Black or charcoal siding is growing in popularity, particularly with vinyl. A mix of brick, stone, or wood as an accent can also catch the eye, particularly with a modern home’s metal roof. However, a home’s siding should be durable and provide adequate insulation from the typical elements in your home’s climate. Eco-friendly siding is growing in popularity as well. Below are some common siding choices in varying locations.
Missouri
Bold colors are growing more popular in larger Missouri cities like Kansas City or St. Louis. Due to the temperate climate of this midwestern state, exteriors and windows should protect against all temperatures and weather, including heavy wind from tornadoes. It’s wise to consult with a professional Kansas City siding company to discuss your options, but cement siding is quite popular.
Florida
Florida is very hot and humid year-round, with a lot of rain and the chance for hurricane-force winds. For these reasons, Florida siding businesses see a lot of stucco and natural materials on a home’s exterior. Vinyl is pretty popular with new constructions, but especially in bold colors.
Oregon
On the opposite side of the country, Oregon is a rainy state that can experience snow and cold weather. Siding should be well-insulated for these issues. Modern Oregon homes enjoy dark vinyl or beautiful, natural wood siding for a unique look. Pacific northwesterners should consult a siding company familiar with the area for the best protection and style.
Conclusion
You can’t stop with the interior if you crave a more modern home. With a few changes, the exterior of any home can be transformed into a contemporary oasis. The landscaping itself plays a huge role in how modern a home looks. Roofing, siding, and driveways should feature bold and often contrasting colors with well-defined frames. Windows are a must; expansive natural lighting not only invites the outdoors in but also entices the exterior.
