Is sprucing up your home’s curb appeal on your list of New Year’s resolutions for 2021? If you’re planning on selling your home soon, it should be. Studies have found that homes with a pleasing curb appeal sell for an average of 7% more than those with uninviting exteriors.
But even if you’re not listing your house, upgrading the outside can make living there more pleasurable for you and your loved ones. Here are ten home exterior trends for 2021 you need to know about to boost your abode’s outside appearance.
1. White Paint
Just as painting a room in your home white can make it immediately feel larger and cleaner, the neutral shade has the same effect on your home’s exterior. White looks great on any style home and gives it a classic look.
The key to pulling it off is to select a creamy off-white instead of pure white, which can be blinding. Check the can of paint for a number called the Light Reflectance Value, or LRV. It should be no higher than 85, but not below 73 or it will give your home a muddy tone. Whites with a hint of gray to them work best for a home’s exterior.
2. Dark Paint
If white isn’t your thing, you can always go the opposite route and turn to the dark side. Black, navy, and smoky dark gray home exterior paints are also trending for 2021.
Don’t want to paint the entire outside of your house a dark shade? Try highlighting the garage, front door, or accents by painting them dark and keeping the rest white for eye-catching contrast.
3. More Exterior Windows
If you have a bit more money to invest in upgrading your home’s appearance, try upgrading or adding exterior windows. New windows can help maintain your home’s interior temperature by keeping heat out in the summer and resisting cold air in the winter. But adding more windows can also change your home’s look and allow additional natural light into rooms.
Just be mindful of your home’s architectural style when updating or adding windows to keep the look modern yet natural. For Orlando exterior house painting that you can trust, see Paisley Painting
4. Adding a Pergola
What can look more inviting than having a pergola, or outdoor garden feature, to sit and sip drinks under during warm weather? You can go as budget-friendly or elaborate with the design as you like, and place it just about anywhere on the outside of your house. They come in a variety of materials to complement your home’s style.
And if you’re handy with woodshop tools, you can even build your own. Whatever size and style you decide on, adding this shaded oasis to your home’s exterior is sure to have guests practically begging to be invited over and will certainly make your house appeal to buyers if you choose to sell it.
5. Landscaping Your Driveway
You’ve added flowers, shrubs, and ornamental grass to the sides of your house. But have you considered adding them to your driveway as well? Landscaping for driveways is a growing trend and one you’re sure to see more of in 2021.
You can plant along the sides of your driveway or even split it in half by placing a strip of foliage down it for a few feet. Just take care to trim anything that needs regular grooming so it doesn’t scrape against your vehicle when you enter or exit the driveway.
6. Updating Your Front Door
Swapping out an old front door for a new design is one of the best ways to update a tired home exterior. You can also simply rejuvenate the old one by giving it a pop of color with a new paint job. Think red, blue, or even a sunny yellow which is sure to help your entrance stand out, especially when the rest of your house is painted a neutral color.
And although it’s not a new trend, you can make your entryway warm and inviting by including a welcome mat, plants, and seasonal decor at your front door area. Just take care not to clutter the area.
7. Painting Over Brick
While a brick home can look stately, it can also give off a stuffy, old school impression. Red brick also limits your paint choices for other areas of the exterior.
The solution? Paint over it. It will instantly transform your home’s look.
For the best results, it’s recommended that you first apply a conditioner and primer, then use latex-based exterior paint. You can have a lot of fun with this by painting certain bricks in other colors against a white background to add interest. Professional exterior painters can do the job properly so the paint will last.
8. Getting Straight Windows
Arched windows were popular about 20 years ago, but it’s time to retire the curves for some straighter edges. They can make a home look too dated by now. Replacing arched windows with straight ones can instantly bring a house into the 21st century and give it a new look.
Also, this is one window shape that is sure to never go out of style.
9. Adding a Front Porch
Thanks to people continuing to work from home through the pandemic, you’re sure to see more homeowners adding front porches or enhancing a current one. Even if you only have a small area to incorporate a porch, it’ll boost your home’s curb appeal and give you an outdoor space to catch a breeze. Add some seating for a cozy place you can curl up in with a good book.
10. Building a Garage
Nothing beats a garage to protect your vehicle from the elements and make it easier for you to enter your home during cold or inclement weather. Homeowners who have the available footage are adding garages to their properties for their added convenience and storage space. If you can, opt for an attached garage so you can include a mudroom to take off your shoes which will keep the rest of your home clean.
Try These Home Exterior Ideas in 2021
Is this list inspiring you? Now is the time to start thinking about home exterior upgrades for 2021, especially if you plan on taking advantage of the current hot real estate market.
For more tips and inspiration on improving your living space, see our other posts in our Home and Gardening archives.
