Appearances do matter - tips to select the right facade for your new home

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Your façade is very important. Not only is it the face of your home but it contributes to the overall look of the street. If you are building a new home, you may have already selected your façade’s design. Perhaps you want a sleek, contemporary style or maybe it’s a Hampton’s look and feel you love. Just make sure it reflects you and sets the tone for your internal aesthetics.

If you want to make your home's entry feel grand, there are a number of things to think about when deciding how your home will look from the front.

COLOUR SCHEME: Do you want a dark and dramatic palette or a light and airy look? Think about how it will all work together. Coordinating your roof tiles with brick choice, window and door trims, guttering, fascia, garage door ....is challenging but the right decisions will get you the desired outcome. Before you worry about specific shades, start simple. What colours do you like? Do you like coordinating or contrasting colours and what colours will best “sell” your home’s style? If you need some more help, read up on our guide on how to choose paint colours.

Expert advice and tools:  USE the fabulous support that is out there.

• Visit display homes and see what facades speak to you and what will look great in your streetscape. See various facades side by side to help you image how yours might look alongside another.
  
  

• Create your own mood board. Cut our pictures or take photos of house/buildings you like the look of.
  
  
• Use valuable tools like the PGH Visualiser, which helps you see what the end result will look like rather than imagining it. Bricks are a big component of your home so with the Visualizer you can actually see what various colours and styles look like on your home
  
  
• Let an expert do the work for you. James Treble has put together a whole series of distinct style categories at Home Options Gallery, so there is no need to stress about any of the selections. You can feel confident that he has chosen everything from the right roof tile profile to the colour of the guttering. Using the advice from a professional like James ensures that on- trend styles like Palm Springs and Hamptons look appropriate for Sydney’s urban developments.
  
  

LANDSCAPING: Even the most modern façade needs some greenery.

• Remember to choose trees, plants and flowers that you can maintain. Not everyone has a green thumb so choose what you can cope with.
• If you plan to put down more hard surfaces think about pots and planters or even a water feature.
• No matter what the size of your front yard is -make it matter. An unkempt yard is unappealing and can really destroy the desirability of your home.

LIGHTING: Don’t be afraid to light up your new home. Proper lighting is a great way to make visitors feel welcome and comfortable walking to your front door.Decorative light fittings should suit the architectural elements of your home. Consider proportions: A small light fitting will get lost alongside a double front door and a large light fitting could look overwhelming in a small space.

Lighting is a great way to highlight a landscaping or architectural feature. Think security as well as decorative when it comes to light placement. Ensure all entry and access areas are well-lit. A light-filled home will add a sense of warmth to your home’s presentation and “softens” even the most contemporary of home facades. Don’t forget there are lots of energy-saving and solar options.

FRONT DOOR: Nothing says WELCOME like a stunning front door. Today there are so many choices so make your front door a focal point by selecting a colour that is a bold contrast to the rest of the homes façade. As you build your home's entrance, prioritise security although most front door designs are weather resistant and built to keep you safe.

If your home design allows it, think about upgrading to a double entry door for a grander statement or even a glass door that lets in all the natural light. Don’t forget the hardware. Perhaps you want a beautiful brass knob or a sleek minimalist style of handle.

Your front door is a key architectural feature of your homes façade so make sure it plays a starring role and is given the consideration it deserves. Other features that will contribute to your home’s street appeal include window treatments, garage doors and even the letterbox.

Piecing your new home’s front facing elements together is like completing a jigsaw puzzle. If done well, the end result can be picture perfect. If you're looking for more inspiration as you build your new home, take some time to view the amazing home designs at Eden Brae!