Ways to Update Your Austin Home Exterior — On Any Budget
Our Austin Architects Share the Top Exterior Home Upgrades for Renovation Budgets Big and Small
Your home’s curb appeal is important. After all, it sets the stage for what visitors can expect when they cross the threshold. Is your house standing out on the block for all the wrong reasons? Don’t worry! Our Austin architects are sharing smart ways to update your home exterior on any budget.
We’ll walk you through a real-life Austin renovation proposal featuring “good, better, and best” options. For each category, we’re sharing five of our favorite exterior upgrades you could use on your home. So, let’s get started and see what your budget can achieve for your home’s curb appeal.
The Best Ways to Update Your Austin Home Exterior (No Matter Your Budget)
Exterior home upgrades can range from a fresh coat of paint on the front door to completely reimagining your home's roofline and architectural style. Assess your budget before you begin your project, and know that a little can go a long way.
Let’s take a look at three “good, better, best” exterior upgrade proposals we created for one of our Austin architecture clients.
Good: Work With What You’ve Got
When working with a smaller budget, focus on freshening up the exterior and highlighting the architectural elements already present. There are many beautiful architectural styles in Austin, and a fresh take can breathe new life into these properties.
Paint Brick, Stucco, and Siding
Paint is one of the most impactful, low-budget exterior upgrades that can completely change the look and feel of your home. However, be careful when choosing paint colors. Hues tend to vary with different sun exposures and surrounding elements, like trees. Make sure to test them!
Add Shutters
Shutters are a great way to add character and color to your home, especially if you are going for a traditional look. Remember, you don’t have to add shutters to every window. Select which ones make the most sense to highlight.
Upgrade the Front Door
Make a grand entrance with a front door upgrade. The front door is your home’s main focal point and will draw the most attention. Consider painting it a fun accent color or investing in a glass door that feels sleek and modern.
Refresh Landscaping
Residential architects like us often work alongside landscape architects to design gardens and select plantings that soften and complement the home's architectural style. Refreshing gardens can create a big impact and really change the look of your exterior.
Replace the Mailbox
Don’t underestimate the power of the details! A simple mailbox upgrade can also bring charm and curb appeal to your home.
Better: Upgrade Your Finishes
For mid-tier budgets, our Austin architects recommend reinvesting in your home and upgrading key exterior finishes, including the windows, roof, and more. These features are worth the investment and will preserve the longevity of your home.
Add New Exterior Lighting
Don’t leave your house in the dark! Creating an exterior lighting plan and upgrading existing fixtures is a great way to showcase the home’s features and create a clean, coordinated look. Consider upgrading porch lamps as well as garden lighting.
Replace Windows
If you have an older home, replacing windows can help with not only the exterior curb appeal but also interior energy efficiency and sound absorption. Our Austin architects like to use black window packages, which work well for both contemporary and transitional style homes.
Update the Roof
Invest in the roof over your head — literally! Traditional asphalt shingles last around 15 years. If it’s time to replace, consider other roofing materials like metal panels or concrete tiles, which not only last longer but also make for a more elevated look.
Slurry Coat Brick
Painting brick is one option. However, we prefer the slurry coat alternative. A slurry coat is a thick mortar wash that gives a stucco-like appearance while still allowing the brick's texture to show through. So, you get the look of plaster while preserving the rich character of brick.
Build a New Walkway
Give your guests a clear path to your front door with a new walkway design. There are so many hardscaping options for creating a new walkway, from classic herringbone brick to a more modern concrete slab and gravel combination.
Best: Reimagine Your Austin Home
If you have a higher budget, you can completely reimagine what your home can be! Want to change the architectural style or even turn it into a two-story house? You can do it. The sky's the limit.
Change the Roofline
Changing your home’s roofline will completely change its style. For example, turning a traditional hip roof with four sloping sides into a gable roof with a peak gives our Austin client’s home exterior more character, especially with the addition of new accent windows.
Add Dormer Windows
Dormer windows are roofed structural features that project from the sloped plane of the main roofline to increase the usable space and bring in natural light. They’re often associated with more traditional designs and add instant character to a home (while increasing the natural light inside).
Build a Front Porch
What’s more welcoming than a front porch? Building or expanding a front porch creates a warm spot to receive guests and enjoy the outdoors. Patio furniture and other decorative features, like railings and columns, enhance this exterior feature.
Move Windows and Doors
Moving window and door placements might be a solution for home exteriors that feel unbalanced. Additionally, adding more windows or increasing their size has the added benefit of increasing natural light inside the home.
Create a Second Story
Love the look of a two-story home? Our Austin architects can make it happen! While this is the most drastic way to change the exterior look of your home, it might be worth the investment for homeowners looking to add on and increase their square footage.
Take a look at the curb appeal before and after photos of or second-story addition project.
Plan Your Own Austin Home Exterior Upgrades
Ready to upgrade your curb appeal? Whether you're looking for a small refresh or a major overhaul, our team of Austin architects can help you assess your budget, plan your design, and choose the right option for your needs. Give us a call today to get started.
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