10 Homes With Serious Kerb Appeal
Want a home with loads of street cred? Look to these extraordinary exteriors for inspiration
How does the exterior of your home stack up against the others in your street? Does it hold its own, or is it letting the (streetscape) team down? If you feel like your home’s facade and front yard need a fresh new look but aren’t quite sure how to ramp up their kerb appeal, or are building a new house and want its front exterior to make a lasting impression right from the start, take design cues from the 10 traffic-stopping dwellings below.
2. Hello there
This friendly wall was designed by architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture in collaboration with artist Rose Nolan. The team were originally going to create an image using raised brickwork before finally settling on the most simple of greetings. It’s now called, very aptly, ‘Hello House’ and greets Melbournians every day as they pass it on the way to a popular cafe nearby.
If this bold design idea is a little too out there for your tastes, try incorporating typography into your front exterior in the form of big, look-at-me house numbers instead.
See more of this house
This friendly wall was designed by architect Fooi-Ling Khoo of OOF! Architecture in collaboration with artist Rose Nolan. The team were originally going to create an image using raised brickwork before finally settling on the most simple of greetings. It’s now called, very aptly, ‘Hello House’ and greets Melbournians every day as they pass it on the way to a popular cafe nearby.
If this bold design idea is a little too out there for your tastes, try incorporating typography into your front exterior in the form of big, look-at-me house numbers instead.
See more of this house
3. Screen queen
This chic home stands out from the crowd for several reasons. The home not only features a striking, ultra-contemporary block-like design, but also boasts a laser-cut metal screen that wraps around the top level addition to the dwelling. A sunny yellow hue lines the exterior walls behind the arresting perforated screen, adding another layer of visual appeal to the home’s exterior. The screen is illuminated at night courtesy of indoor lighting, which sees the floral patterned surface take on a golden shimmer and cast a pleasing glow over the neighbourhood.
Architectural sunscreens like this one not only make a strong design statement but are functional, too, as they provide privacy, as well as protection from harsh sunlight and heat from the sun’s rays.
See more of this house
This chic home stands out from the crowd for several reasons. The home not only features a striking, ultra-contemporary block-like design, but also boasts a laser-cut metal screen that wraps around the top level addition to the dwelling. A sunny yellow hue lines the exterior walls behind the arresting perforated screen, adding another layer of visual appeal to the home’s exterior. The screen is illuminated at night courtesy of indoor lighting, which sees the floral patterned surface take on a golden shimmer and cast a pleasing glow over the neighbourhood.
Architectural sunscreens like this one not only make a strong design statement but are functional, too, as they provide privacy, as well as protection from harsh sunlight and heat from the sun’s rays.
See more of this house
4. Door stopper
A brightly painted door will instantly pep up a tired, lacklustre or dark exterior scheme, as you can see looking at this head-turning Victorian home. Here, a high-contrast dark grey and white palette provides the perfect backdrop for the vibrant red door, which pops against the restrained colour combo and ensures the house instantly attracts the eye of those walking by. Notice, too, how the blast of dramatic red infuses the traditional-style facade with modern flair.
Quiz: What Colour Front Door Should You Have?
A brightly painted door will instantly pep up a tired, lacklustre or dark exterior scheme, as you can see looking at this head-turning Victorian home. Here, a high-contrast dark grey and white palette provides the perfect backdrop for the vibrant red door, which pops against the restrained colour combo and ensures the house instantly attracts the eye of those walking by. Notice, too, how the blast of dramatic red infuses the traditional-style facade with modern flair.
Quiz: What Colour Front Door Should You Have?
5. High expectations
Dramatic rooflines like this angular design never fail to command attention and enhance any street view. Here, several rows of exterior slates and a trio of windows that follow the line of the skillion roof work in tandem with the apple green door to draw further attention to the sloping surface.
More: 12 Roofs That Rule the Roost
Dramatic rooflines like this angular design never fail to command attention and enhance any street view. Here, several rows of exterior slates and a trio of windows that follow the line of the skillion roof work in tandem with the apple green door to draw further attention to the sloping surface.
More: 12 Roofs That Rule the Roost
6. Surface deep
Now here’s a house that exudes show-stopping street style. While it attracts the eye thanks to its bold, boxy silhouette, the home’s head-turning appearance can also be credited to the contrasting materials that were used to construct its exterior. The sustainable dwelling is made from 31 shipping containers, which give the house its distinctly industrial feel. Meanwhile, a mosaic timber front door and garage door, both made from recycled cedar, offer sharp visual contrast and help give the home a warmer, more welcoming vibe. The wraparound deck is lined with vertical timber slats, which echo the linear pattern of the metal exterior walls and add another earthy touch to the scheme, too.
Now here’s a house that exudes show-stopping street style. While it attracts the eye thanks to its bold, boxy silhouette, the home’s head-turning appearance can also be credited to the contrasting materials that were used to construct its exterior. The sustainable dwelling is made from 31 shipping containers, which give the house its distinctly industrial feel. Meanwhile, a mosaic timber front door and garage door, both made from recycled cedar, offer sharp visual contrast and help give the home a warmer, more welcoming vibe. The wraparound deck is lined with vertical timber slats, which echo the linear pattern of the metal exterior walls and add another earthy touch to the scheme, too.
7. Look-at-me colour
Opting for a colourful exterior scheme instead of sticking with a more traditional palette of browns and classic neutrals is another way to elevate the look and kerb appeal of your home. If you desire a bold facade that’s sure to stop people in their tracks, add a single shot of bright, punchy colour to your exterior (this is a great trick to use if you wish to highlight unique architectural features, such as a cantilever overhang or feature panelling).
If you’d prefer a more subtle look that still oozes show-stopping style, take a leaf out of this contemporary home’s design playbook and dress up your facade in one or a selection of softer, more restrained hues. Here, earthy green-toned slats line the exterior walls, with grey panels and timber details adding extra visual interest to the scheme.
Exterior house colours that break the rules
Opting for a colourful exterior scheme instead of sticking with a more traditional palette of browns and classic neutrals is another way to elevate the look and kerb appeal of your home. If you desire a bold facade that’s sure to stop people in their tracks, add a single shot of bright, punchy colour to your exterior (this is a great trick to use if you wish to highlight unique architectural features, such as a cantilever overhang or feature panelling).
If you’d prefer a more subtle look that still oozes show-stopping style, take a leaf out of this contemporary home’s design playbook and dress up your facade in one or a selection of softer, more restrained hues. Here, earthy green-toned slats line the exterior walls, with grey panels and timber details adding extra visual interest to the scheme.
Exterior house colours that break the rules
8. Feature fence
Don’t settle for a simple fence – choose one that adds oomph and enhances the kerb appeal of your home! Select a decorative fence or opt for a design in a lively stop-and-stare hue, like the perky yellow picket fence pictured here. Take note of how the striped awning and yellow chair cushion help tie this sweet yet striking scheme together, resulting in a home that looks a treat from the street and even better close up.
21 ways to welcome yellow into your home
Don’t settle for a simple fence – choose one that adds oomph and enhances the kerb appeal of your home! Select a decorative fence or opt for a design in a lively stop-and-stare hue, like the perky yellow picket fence pictured here. Take note of how the striped awning and yellow chair cushion help tie this sweet yet striking scheme together, resulting in a home that looks a treat from the street and even better close up.
21 ways to welcome yellow into your home
9. It’s good to be green
With two adjoining foliage-filled garden walls taking pride of place on this front facade, this contemporary home is guaranteed to make a lasting first impression, while also beautifying the streetscape. If you’re not one for vertical gardens, put all your effort into creating a lovely, leafy oasis in your front yard that will leave your neighbours and guests green with envy.
With two adjoining foliage-filled garden walls taking pride of place on this front facade, this contemporary home is guaranteed to make a lasting first impression, while also beautifying the streetscape. If you’re not one for vertical gardens, put all your effort into creating a lovely, leafy oasis in your front yard that will leave your neighbours and guests green with envy.
10. Pattern play
Bold geometric patterns are the key to this striking exterior’s success. Upon first glance, the eye is immediately drawn to the scene-stealing orange and white lines that run from one side of the home’s boxy upper level to the other. The strong linear pattern is repeated in the grid-like motif on the garage door and brick walls below.
Take note of how these three rectangular patterns vary in scale – this ensures that each of the motifs complement, rather than compete with, each other, resulting in a balanced and visually appealing scheme that has serious street-style game.
Bold geometric patterns are the key to this striking exterior’s success. Upon first glance, the eye is immediately drawn to the scene-stealing orange and white lines that run from one side of the home’s boxy upper level to the other. The strong linear pattern is repeated in the grid-like motif on the garage door and brick walls below.
Take note of how these three rectangular patterns vary in scale – this ensures that each of the motifs complement, rather than compete with, each other, resulting in a balanced and visually appealing scheme that has serious street-style game.
TELL US
Does your home have serious kerb appeal? We’d love to see it, so post photos of your house – along with any exterior design tips you’d like to share – in the Comments section.
MORE
17 Easy Ways to Maximise Your Home’s Kerb-Appeal
Home Front: Simple Ways to Personalise Your Front Exterior
Transform Your Home’s Entrance From Daggy to Dazzling in Just One Week
Does your home have serious kerb appeal? We’d love to see it, so post photos of your house – along with any exterior design tips you’d like to share – in the Comments section.
MORE
17 Easy Ways to Maximise Your Home’s Kerb-Appeal
Home Front: Simple Ways to Personalise Your Front Exterior
Transform Your Home’s Entrance From Daggy to Dazzling in Just One Week
Isn’t the exterior of this traditional-style abode positively delightful? Thanks to its soothing colour palette, patterned floor tiles, inviting sitting area and the beautiful flowering vines that grace the lace-like metal work overhead, this home is guaranteed to charm passers-by.
The symmetrical design of the home and placement of the front-entry accents also enhance the welcoming and captivating scene, as it creates visual harmony and pleases the eye.