How to Design the Exterior of a Home

Your home's exterior not only protects the occupants and their belongings from the outside elements, it announces your sense of style to the world. If you're lucky enough to be able to design your home's exterior, consider aesthetics as well as functionality.

Instructions

1. Choose your home's siding material. The great variety of siding options available to today's homeowner includes vinyl, steel, masonry or a composite material. Your budget and lifestyle will help you make the decision.

2. Look for sturdy vinyl siding if you want a maintenance-free exterior at a reasonable price. For a finished look, make sure your exterior windows match as well as your soffit and fascia.

3. Design your home's exterior to feature a masonry finish. At the high end of the price spectrum, masonry exteriors feature one or more types of stone or brick. If you want the look of masonry but are on a budget, consider a cheaper siding on the sides and back of the home and use masonry accents only on the front.

4. Consider structure when planning extensions to the exterior of your home. Angles, dormers and gables all add interest and appeal but they must be structurally sound as well as pleasing to the eye. An architect or an engineer should approve all structural details.

5. Incorporate architectural details from one area of the home to another. Your home's exterior will be more pleasing to the eye when one theme is carried throughout the design. For example, if you want a French turret on the side of your home, consider carrying that architectural theme through to the roofline with steep angled grades and rounded dormers to match.

6. Pay attention to your neighborhood and climate. If all the other homes in your subdivision are adobe with clay tile roofs, designing a two-story Victorian might not be the wisest choice. Design with continuity and practicality in mind.

7. Browse different house design books to get an idea for what you like. Don't hesitate to ask your builder or an architect for ideas you can incorporate within your price range and style choice.