Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
Creating a warm, inviting home begins at the curb. We’re told not to judge a book by its cover, but a home’s exterior tells us so much about what to expect inside. If it’s decrepit and dilapidated as you approach, no matter how beautiful the interior, the home isn’t really a home.
The opposite, however, prepares you for what to expect behind the door. Whether it’s beautiful brickwork, bold colours, or natural flourishes, you can embolden your home, making it the talk of the neighbourhood.
Looking for inspiration for your Edmonton home exterior renovation? You’re in luck. We’ve put together a bunch of ingenious design ideas to transform your home’s curb-side appearance.
1. Frame Your Home with Contrasting Colours
The contrast between opposing colours immediately grabs the eye’s attention. But simply throwing around dark and light paints won’t achieve the desired effect – you’ve got to be clever.
For example, if your home is primarily made from darker wood or brick, you can paint the entryway with warm white paint. It stands out against the darker backdrop, creating a focal point to your home’s exterior.
Another option could be accenting pillars, window frames, and roof edges in white while leaving darker colours, e.g., dark green or deep charcoal, for a more cottage-esque aesthetic. Such classic designs are forever in style thanks to their crisp, clean lines.
2. Consider a Shingle Roof
Thinking about a new roof? It’s one of the best home exterior renovations in Edmonton. While conventional options involve asphalt shingles, metal roofs, or clay tiles, upgrading to architectural shingles can mimic the look of natural materials like slate or wood shake.
Select colours that complete the overall exterior colour scheme, such as rich browns or sophisticated greys. Of course, you don’t want to over-complicate things. Sometimes, a simple black shingle roof and warm white siding are enough to create a timeless façade.
Just remember to opt for a roof that’s winter-ready. Freezing Edmonton temperatures can severely damage a poorly fitted roof.
3. Go Bold
Nothing makes a bigger statement than a splash of colour. You’ve heard of statement walls, but what about statement exteriors? You could add new life to a traditional style exterior with salmon pink, fresh greens, or even a duck egg blue. Keep the trim and details in white to contrast against the colour.
If painting the entire exterior seems a little too dramatic, you can add a pop of colour with a new front door. One bold touch – think a bright blue or yellow door – injects your personality into the home without raising the ire of your neighbours.
4. Keep Your Garden Manicured
When we talk about home exteriors, we focus on the roofing, colour scheme, and even cladding. However, it’s the natural greenery that adds the finishing flourish.
Keep your lawn well-manicured and complement your home’s exterior with neatly planted bushes, shrubs, and trees. Depending on your home’s style, this could be a little more eclectic or follow a closely prescribed pattern.
Under windows is the perfect place for a row of bushes – hydrangeas are a popular choice. Meanwhile, you can break up large expanses of walls with small trees. Avoid anything that will grow too big as it will undermine your home – literally.
5. Walk on the Wild Side
On the completely other end of the spectrum to the manicured is a wilder planting scheme. You could draw the eye up with tall flowering plants. One beautiful example is the bright pink cosmos. You could even paint the window frames in a similar shade to further bring out the colour.
Wild doesn’t have to mean overgrown. An assortment of plants, bushes, and trees can envelop your home, focusing your attention on some sections while distracting you from others.
If you’d prefer to walk on the mild side, a few simple window boxes are a chance to spruce up your exterior with greenery. That could be a useful herb garden or hanging plants that cascade over the side.
6. Clad Your Home
Enhance your Edmonton home exterior renovation with a protective shield of cladding. Cladding not only wraps your home – further improving its insulation – but it also transforms the building’s aesthetic appeal.
Consider using fibre cement panels for a more contemporary look. Sleek and modern, they’re available in a variety of colours and textures.
Alternatively, for a more rustic charm, opt for natural wood cladding. Characteristic of the Canadian wilderness, spruce or pine brings your home alive, giving your home a Scandinavian feel or a minimalist appearance. To ensure durability, choose treated wood that can withstand Edmonton’s harsh winters.
Last, there’s stone. Much harder to work with, it’s an excellent option for the long-term – and pairs well with other materials like brick or stucco.
7. Mix and Match Materials
Just like you pair colours together – be it dark blue and pink or red and green – you can also pair materials. While there’s something to be said for an all-wood home, the interplay of materials creates a unique finish. Combine brick, siding, and concrete or add wood panels to accentuate architectural details. You can design a dynamic Edmonton home exterior renovation that highlights the structure’s best features.
To add further depth and visual interest, consider using contrasting textures and finishes. Smooth polished concrete juxtaposed with rough-hewn wood or texture brick can create a stunning visual impact. Just changing the direction of the wood grain can lead to an interesting pattern.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance for your home’s architecture and personal taste.
Ready to start your Edmonton home exterior renovation? We can help. Contact us today to request a quote or get a complimentary in-person visit.
