Are you planning to give your house exterior a makeover but don’t know where to start? Whether you have a big area to work with or a small but sweet backyard, the first step is to make a detailed plan. Take measurements, set a budget, and take notes for each area of your house and the steps you need to take to make everything happen.
Then, you can start shopping around for wall paint, decor items, lights, water features, and plants that’ll give your exterior the curb appeal of your dreams.
Ready to make your exterior home decor stand out? Keep reading to discover the best design ideas and tips to make your house look beautiful from all angles.
Make an Exterior Design Plan
Before you start buying patio furniture and investing in landscaping and painting, take a walk around your backyard and front yard to get a feel of the design you want to create. Write down all your ideas, desires, and items you want for the backyard. Creating Pinterest boards is a great way to collect ideas and shop for furniture and decor. Then, make a plan that’ll include your budget, timeframe, shopping list, things you’ll DIY, and sketches of how you want everything to look like.
If an entire makeover is too overwhelming for you, hire a designer who will help turn your vision into reality. You can talk about the design style you want, the color theme, the budget, and the purpose and functionality features. The designer will use exterior home decorating software to show you how the house exterior will look like and where everything will be.
Plant Flowers and Greenery
Flowers, trees, and other greenery can make any house exterior look beautiful, peaceful, and alive, especially if you plant them with a plan and intention. However, plants require constant care and have different watering and sunlight needs, so it’s good to do some research before heading to the garden center.
Before you plant new greenery, talk to a gardener or landscaper about the type of soil you have and the plants that would thrive in it. There’s no point in investing money and time in plants that don’t fit or like that particular soil, so it’s always best to go with plants that are common for your geographic location.
There are also plants that are almost impossible to kill and can thrive in any soil and any weather conditions. Some of the best flowers and plants for your back and front yards include:
- First Frost Hosta
- Succulents
- Cacti
- Hydrangeas
- Japanese Maple
- Lamb’s Ear
- Desert roses
- Shrub roses
- Green columnar juniper
- Lavender
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Hibiscus
- Lilac sage
You should also spruce up your lawn and plant new grass seeds to cover any bald patches and make it even lusher. Invest in a sprinkler system, a good lawn mower, and put up shaded areas for the plants that don’t like too much sun.
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint To Exterior Walls, Windows, and Doors
A fresh layer of paint can make even the dullest home exterior look new again. Start by washing the exterior walls, driveways, and walkways with a pressure washer to remove the layers of dirt and debris. Then, wash the windows and doors to prep them for the paint. If you want your house to stand out, choose a bold accent color for the door and windows. You can go neutral with the walls or choose a dark neutral color if you want to achieve a luxurious look.
Make sure the paint you choose is waterproof, resistant to chipping, and can handle all weather conditions well. You can either do the painting yourself or hire painters to do a more professional job. The most important thing is to prep the surfaces with primer and be patient before adding the next coat.
Install Water Features
Water features will give your house exterior a touch of luxury, elegance, and peacefulness. Whether you want a big water fountain, a small pond, a stream running through your yard, a birdbath, or a swimming pool, water is a natural element that’ll make the yard come to life. You can also make your own water feature using planters, rocks, stones, tiles, artificial plants, and watering cans.
Make sure to figure out where the water will come from, so research water pump systems beforehand if you plan to DIY. Otherwise, most store-bought fountains come with built-in pumps so all you have to do is install them in your yard and enjoy.
Install Exterior Mirrors
Mirrors are beautiful and functional decorative accents for home exterior. They can create the illusion of a bigger, wider space, especially if you have a smaller backyard. Install exterior mirrors on the patio walls and all around the garden. You can use different shapes, sizes, and frames to fit the design esthetics and place them strategically so they can reflect the light without creating harsh reflections.
If you want to DIY, you can use a block of glass from an old window or buy glass and use mirror spray paint over it. You can also create different mirror surfaces and decor items with glass mirror spray paint, including ornaments, glass decorations, flower pots, and exterior windows.
Display the National Flag
If you want to display the national flag in your yard, this is a great way to show the love you have for your country where everyone can see it. You can also display other types of flags such as the state flag, local flags, society flags, company flags, or even family history flags.
You can find the best flagpoles for your needs at https://flagpolefarm.com/ and display the national flag with pride. However, make sure you follow the flag protocol when displaying multiple flags and follow the rules when displaying the national flag alongside other flags.
Upgrade Your Patio Furniture
Patio furniture can make or break the look and feel of your house exterior and backyard. It should be comfortable to sit on, but also durable enough to stay intact under harsh weather conditions. If you don’t plan on investing in a whole new patio set (which can be pricey), you can always reupholster and repaint your existing set.
You can also build a concrete seating area that you can cover with pillows and foam pads. This alternative will not only cost you way less than store-bought furniture, but concrete lasts forever and you can paint it any color you like. For romantic evenings outside, invest in a swing that you can place on the porch, on the lawn, or near the pool.
Change the Decor Seasonally
Each season brings its own magic and your backyard changes with the seasons as well. Your trees and flowers start to bloom in the spring and summer and turn colors in the fall. Follow in their footsteps and change your exterior decor seasonally. For example, in the winter, you can use colorful Christmas decorations for home exterior, lights, ornaments, and even Christmas trees.
In the fall, use artificial dried leaves, dried flowers, earthy colors, pumpkins, wreaths, and garlands to bring out the seasonal colors. You can also add Haloween decorations for when the kids come for trick or treating. In the summer, liven up the backyard with twinkle string lights, water features, a portable swimming pool, flamingos, and bright colors.
Invest in Good Lighting
No matter how beautiful your backyard looks during the day, you should invest in good lighting if you want to make the best of it in the evenings. Aside from ambient string lights in the sitting area, place solar lights all around the yard.
If you have water features, install waterproof lights inside and around them to give them a soft glow. Invest in lighting fixtures for the front of the house as well, especially around the entry area and walkway.
Build a Firepit for Family Get-Togethers
Firepits are not just for camping – they’re a great exterior design feature that’ll give your backyard a homey feel, but also serve as a place for family gatherings and romantic dates. You can either build a firepit yourself or buy one from the store. Make sure to place it in a spot where it won’t be a fire hazard and always keep an eye on the fire when in use.
You can place furniture around the firepit, build benches, or use floor pillows for sitting. You can also make it a main sitting area on the patio and build the rest of the decor around the firepit.
Make Your Neighbors Jealous With These Exterior Home Decor Tips
Whether you have a big or small backyard, you can turn it into a beautiful, cozy space with these simple exterior home decor tips. From installing fun water features, planting new flowers, and repainting the exterior walls to having a lush lawn and ambient lighting, you’ll love spending time outside with family and friends.
Want more tips on exterior design and landscaping? Check out some of the other articles we’ve written on these topics and stay tuned for more news, trends, and updates.
