The exterior of the house is as important as the interior. Many homeowners disregard how the house looks on the outside but this is a big mistake. The outdoor space should be well-maintained, pretty, organised and uniformed. Every shape, colour and detail will affect its curb appeal. Every carefully considered detail just adds to the house’s value, in case you ever want to put it on the market. There are simple and easy ways to boost a house’s exterior without investing thousands of dollars.
Change the House Numbers
Oftentimes you don’t need a complete remodelling to change your house’s exterior design. A few simple upgrades will do the trick. One of them is the house number. There’s a big range of modern and elegant address number signs you can buy. Yes, they have the primary goal, to be functional, but you can also make them a decorative element.
You can get them in several materials. The first one is stainless steel. It’s the most popular because of the anti-rust coating. This guarantees that your numbers will look great and fresh for many years to come. Next is aluminium. It gives a very modern vibe and can withstand every weather condition. Brass, copper and bronze are all luxury metals and can be pricy. But they all look great.
Vinyl is another option, but it requires adhesiveness. So, choose carefully the surface you’ll stick it on. Wooden numbers are not a common choice. They look pretty for a while, but after some time they’ll start to degrade if you don’t give them the proper care and maintenance. And last but not least, are tile numbers. They look great and can be easily removed.
There are no rules on what colour should the numbers be. Australia doesn’t have any regulations on this. The important thing is to make them visible and easy to read. Many people go with black, the most basic choice. They don’t have to necessarily match the exterior, you can make them stand out with a pop of colour like red, green or purple. Make sure they’re in contrast with the surface they’ll be affixed to.
You can hang the numbers on the fence if the front door is too far from it. Or on the front door if it’s close to the fence. Remember, the most important thing is to make them visible. The size of the numbers depends on your personal preferences. Some manufacturers offer custom-made designs so you can get them as big as you like. If you’re feeling playful, you can even order them as writing instead of a number.
Upgrade the House Name Sign
House signs are not usually the first thing that comes to mind when you decorate the exterior of the house. But they’re very important because people can identify your house with them. It’s advisable to affix the sign at chest level. This way it’ll be easily readable and reachable when you have to change or fix it. You can find these signs in many styles and designs: conventional, modern, engraved, abstract, textured, hand-made and even 3D.
Just like the address number signs, the materials can vary as well. Plywood, fibre, stone, fabric, clay, metals, and teak are just some of the options. When choosing the material, consider the local weather, illumination and the surface on which it hangs. Typically, wooden house name signs are affixed to the east and south, while metal ones are placed to the north or west.
If you want something personalised, choose fonts that are easily readable and people can see from at least 1m distance. If you can, hang it on the left side of the door and keep it clean and illuminated. Make sure it’s secured properly so the wind doesn’t blow it away and damage it. Don’t use harsh chemicals on it. A regular wipe with a damp cloth will go a long way.
Install a Letterbox
The letterbox can be a great representation of the interior of the house. It can reflect your personal style and complement the exterior as well. But keep in mind that the Australian Post has some strict regulations about its size, placement, look and security. It should be visible for the postie and easy to access. It needs to hold at least an A4 paper comfortably without twisting and folding.
Safety is important so it should have some type of secure mechanism that keeps it locked for everyone else except family members. They can vary in material, style and size, but you can also have a custom-made one. Adding something with a personal twist is always a good and unique idea. You can even match it with the house numbers. If you receive a lot of letters and packages, you’ll need more storage capacity and vice versa.
Some of the best materials are Accoya wood and coated aluminium. Both of them will stand up to the Australian climate and last for many years to come. Cleaning and maintenance are very simple. Remove the cobwebs once in a while and wipe them down with a dump cloth. Always check the mail regulations in the area you live in and follow the instructions you’re given.
Lighting is Important
No one wants to walk in into a dark entryway. This looks uninviting and it’s certainly very unsafe. Installing the proper lighting can make a big difference. It’ll make the house beautiful and much safer. You can light up the entryway in 3 ways: single pendant, symmetrical lighting and single lighting on the side of the door. There are no rules on how big or bright should the lights be.
If you want symmetrical lights, you should install 2 identical light fixtures on each side of the door. This will give you good lighting in any direction. A single pendant light looks great above any door or porch. But if you live in a windy area, you don’t want anything that swings. Instead, choose a ceiling-mounted one. Single-side lights are good for small spaces where you don’t need strong lights.
Don’t Hesitate to Add Greenery
A big green lawn and many beautiful flowers and shrubbery are any homeowner’s dream. It’s a perfect way to improve the curb appeal of the house. Regular upkeep such as mowing the lawn and raking the leaves will make a difference. Don’t plant a lot of flowers at once if you’ve never had them before. Think baby steps, and start small so you can get used to it.
The first thing you can get are small shrubs and potted plants. When you learn how to take care of them, you can play with sizes, placement, colours and their placement. Until then, think about where you want to start the transformation of your home’s exterior.
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