Outfit Your Home's Exterior

Make the outside of your home shine by choosing smart details that define the look and style.

The exterior of your home not only provides a safe and secure environment for the rooms inside, it also establishes the style of your house. First impressions are always important, and you can set the tone for the rest of your property by carefully selecting exterior components that give your house a personality. Your finished roof, your home's siding and well-chosen architectural details add curb appeal, make guests feel welcome and create a defined look.
"At a certain level, the outer skin of your house is who you are," says architect Lewis Butler, AIA, president of Butler Armsden Architects of San Francisco. "There's great opportunity with the exterior of your house to say something profound, if you choose to do that. The outside is the face of your house."
Attractive trim, a well-placed arbor, a beautiful stone walkway or a period porch light are other tools you can use to give your home a sense of style. But choosing wisely will help you avoid the too-many-ornaments-on-the-Christmas-tree syndrome. Smart decisions and some restraint allow your home to shine.