Quick Tips to Give Your Home Instant Kerb Appeal

The facade of your home is where first impressions are made – does yours show off your unique personality and draw visitors inside? Whether you’re considering a full-scale renovation or simply want to give your home a refresh, these ideas will get you started.

TIP 1: CLAD OVER YOUR BRICK OR RENDERED EXTERIOR FOR A RENEWED LOOK

Cladding over brick is a simple yet effective way to instantly improve the look of your home. A particularly great choice for updating older homes, the process typically involves the installation of a timber or steel batten over the brickwork, followed by the application of a vapour permeable membrane (VPM), such as HardieWarp™ Weather Barrier.

You don’t need to clad your entire home, either – choose a wall or section and keep some brick exposed for an old-meets-new look that celebrates the history of your home. For an industrial look, try using Matrix™ Cladding made with a Scyon™ formulation by James Hardie™, which works well with traditional materials like brick and timber, or consider a mixed cladding approach for a modern, minimalist appeal

TIP 2: CONSIDER USING MIXED MATERIALS FOR AN ADDED VISUAL INTEREST

Using unexpected materials together is a creative way to enhance a clean, simple design and achieve a one-of-a-kind look. Textural combinations can also bring balance to a hard exterior, for example the industrial feel of steel and cement-based cladding can be softened with Scyon vertical products like Axon Cladding, which will contrast the sharp, and angular lines.

Selecting two or three different finishes that contrast can immediately make an older home look edgy and modern. For an eye-catching feature, try incorporating stone, corrugated iron or other recycled materials into your facade. By keeping the overall lines of the facade simple, textural materials can shine as the focal point and create a custom-made look.

TIP 3: CONSIDER UPDATING OTHER ASPECTS FOR SOME EXTRA CURB APPEAL

Introducing subtle touches of colour to your home’s exterior is an easy and affordable way to inject personality to your facade. Adding a new hue through understated accents can also help to tie in your home’s interior, for example using a navy-blue feature wall featuring Axon™ Cladding or Stria™ Cladding to complement a coastal palette inside, or a pink front door leading into a sunny interior colour scheme.

If you’d prefer to keep the overall palette neutral, think beyond feature walls to other areas that can be updated. A red letterbox, a playful doormat or unique house numbers are easy options that will bring plenty of personality to your facade. And don’t underestimate the power of landscaping – large-scale pots and climbing plants can transform the look and feel of your home and make a bare entry feel warm and welcoming.

TIP 4: INTRODUCE UNIQUE DETAILS WITH YOUR FIXTURES AND FINISHING

Small details can make a big impression, so it pays to take some time to consider where minor updates to your facade can offer a big boost to your home’s curb appeal. Outdoor lighting is a great way to enhance the overall mood of your home at night, from symmetrical wall sconces flanking your front door to garden lights illuminating a porch or pathway.

Features that are both practical and decorative such as bargeboards, arbors and fence panels can also add an ornamental element to an otherwise minimal exterior, while replacing fascia boards and external gutter systems will eliminate peeling paint and rust spots, giving your home an instant refresh.