When it comes to any home upgrade, one of the first places we as homeowners turn to for change is the interior. We’ll load up on new light fixtures, buy new furniture, choose a warmer shade of paint, install granite countertops, hardwood floors, and switch out older appliances for stainless steel.
But what about the outside of the home – our “curb appeal?”
You’re probably thinking, “Well geez, Mike! There are a million directions I could go with that. It’s overwhelming.” It’s true there are a billion design ideas to enhance the outside appearance of your home, from subtle changes like improved landscaping and a charming new mailbox to those that completely alter the facade. But how about starting with the porch?
Think about it: a porch is the first thing visitors see when they walk up to your house. I’d venture to guess it was probably the first thing you noticed when you bought your house. You hesitated to do anything about it then, so why not now?
At the ML Group, Inc., we design for the way you live – even if your style has changed over the years. Here are just a few crafty and budget-friendly architectural tips to give that older, outdated porch a much-needed facelift.
- Change the style or color of your front door by painting it; use different hardware or buy a new door
- Add appropriate light fixtures to match the desired style you are going for
- Enhance architectural details to the ceiling (bead board, dropped beams, or a pattern like herringbone)
- Change the look by staining or scoring the concrete floor. Most builders start by using plain concrete
- Enhance details, like adding cedar or metal accents, corbeling, or shutters
We realize the thought of beefing up your curb appeal can feel like an overwhelming project, so start small. And in terms of budgets, many of these ideas can be accomplished by repurposing the money you would normally be happy to spend redefining the interior of your home.
The ML Group is not just a build-from-the-ground-up architect. Our reputation for creativity, experience, attention to detail, and sensitivity to economics and environmental issues consistently delivers results. Give us a call today!