Mixing materials on your home exterior is an impactful way to enhance your curb appeal. Various materials, from wood to brick to vinyl, metal, glass and more, can be used together to create a stunning exterior. By combining materials that contrast or complement each other, you can highlight certain features of your home, or bring a dull exterior to life. Ready to make a strong design statement for your home? Take a look at the best ways to mix materials.
1. Coordinate Colours
If you’re going to mix exterior materials, the first thing to keep in mind is your colour palette. Mixing materials can result in a beautiful facade, but only if the colours of the materials work well together. Clashing colours will create an exterior that’s confusing and unappealing. Choose one of your exterior materials to use as a starting point for your colour palette- siding often works well since it usually makes up the largest surface area.
Once you’ve chosen your first foundation colour, you can pair the other materials such as stone, brick or wood with complementing shades. Opt for colours a few shades lighter or darker than each other for a more subtle contrast, or combine colours like light grey stone and black siding for a bold contrast.
2. Get Creative With Texture
Mixing materials that have different textures is a great way to add beauty and dimension to your home. Smooth siding looks amazing when paired with rough brick or stone, as it gives personality to an otherwise lacklustre exterior. Cedar shakes and board and batten siding will both create a gorgeous textured appearance for your home, adding visual interest no matter the colour you choose.
3. Think About Placement
If you have an architectural feature such as gable, dormer, or statement window, use mixed materials to highlight that feature. This will elevate the character of your home, enhancing your curb appeal and creating a striking visual statement. If you don’t have any architectural features you’d like to highlight, consider how to best place the mixed materials so that they create an impact. Consider foundation or skirting in brick or stone veneers, partial walls, or full glass from top to bottom on one section of your home.
4. Consider Durability
When choosing the materials to use for your exterior, make sure to consider durability and longevity. This ensures the materials can withstand harsh elements throughout the year and that they’ll last for years to come. If you’re going to be renovating your exterior with new materials, you want to make sure they’re worth the investment. Vinyl siding is one of the most durable products on the market. It’s weather resistant, with the ability to hold up against the elements, and is incredibly long-lasting so you don’t have to worry about replacing it down the road.
If you’re considering an exterior renovation, mixing materials is one of the best ways to make a beautiful visual impact with your home!