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Front porch of a white painted brick home with cedar posts, hanging rattan chairs and a gridded wood front door

An Exterior Renovation Should Start with the House's Architecture

Renovations & Additions by MRC

Front porch of a white painted brick home with cedar posts, hanging rattan chairs and a gridded wood front door

The outside of your home: It’s the first glimpse of home you see after a long day out, the first impression that greets your guests.

Home exteriors not only are highly functional, protecting us against the wide ranging Northeast weather, but they also provide a glimpse for neighbors, passersby and friends of your style; of what may be behind the front door. Your home’s exterior represents the style of the internal occupants to the external world. So what’s the latest in home exterior trends…and how can you create them in your home?

Beachy Farmhouse

Try generously planted window boxes, white wood siding and an inviting front porch. Metal roof touches also play well with this look.

Farmhouse front porch with square white columns, lantern sconces and a gray front door under a transom

Modern Rustic

The combination of slurried, warm white brick with black-frame casement windows creates the delicate balance of modern with warm and rustic. Lantern lights and clean, modern house numbers add to the look. Don’t forget that gutters can also be decorative; whether in color, copper or stainless, they work best when complementing siding and roofing.

Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle

Sliding glass walls and multiple patios creating a fluid indoor-outdoor connection. Balconies on multiple stories seal the look. Outdoor fireplaces and porches are a must.

Covered outdoor living area at a Westfield, NJ home, with a stone fireplace and television under the porch, teak sofas on brick paving and lanterns on the steps

Eclectic Whimsy

Bohemian looks full of whimsy your style? Distressed brick, rustic window shutters, divided-light windows and unique rooflines achieve the look.

Cheat Sheet: “Does and Don’ts” for Keeping Your Curb Appeal Current

  • Use natural elements such as brick, stone, and wood accents; avoid obvious man-made materials
  • Ditch the overly ornate doors and opt for a simple blue, black, or natural wood door. Glass and iron doors are an elegant option.
  • Forgo understated home entrances and move towards accentuated the front door with surrounding porches and accent lighting
  • Let the light in: Consider transom windows and sidelights above/surrounding the door.
  • Remove your old “blah” address numbers and make an affordable investment in bold numbers that express your style.

Questions this raises

What should guide the exterior design before we choose materials?

Start with the house's proportions, rooflines and openings. Materials should reinforce those relationships. Changing finishes alone may not address the underlying reason an exterior feels unresolved.

How much should maintenance affect material choices?

It should be part of the decision from the beginning. Consider exposure, the expected appearance over time and the care required. Choose a material you want to live with, including its maintenance, rather than judging only the new sample.