When it comes to the exterior of your home or office building, you want it to be inviting and appealing. That is why when the design process is starting, it can be tricky to finalise all of the plans. The shapes, lines, and making sure that the colours balance well. It might seem like a job for the more experienced designers, but you can work with more experienced architects on your project if you like.
The outside of the building or home can be the reason people want to go inside. If the outside looks so inviting then, of course, imagine what the inside will look like! There are rules, but like all good rules – if you know how to break them well, the go-ahead.
Materials and Textures
Most buildings will have the typical red ‘house bricks’. But, if you don’t love it, there are ways you can cover some of it up. Adding shingles, aluminium, wood, steel and other panels can give a whole new look and feel to the exterior of the building.
But you want to have a balance between the textures and the materials. For example, when done correctly, industrial steel and natural wood can work well together. Due to the fact that it is going out on the outside of the building, you will need to be mindful of the durability – as well as the aesthetics.
Color Combinations
While you might be tempted to add as many colors as you have facets of personality – you would be wise to tone it back. Typically three shades from the same colour palette work the best together. One of the lightest shades, a midrange and a darker tone too. The lighter shade can be used on the body, and the second can be used for the trim. Finally, use that third middle shade for the door.
It will pull the whole thing together, and look incredibly sleek. Try to use colors that will be in keeping with the style of your home or office building and the period in which it was built.
Extra Features
If you have a lot of staff that enjoy sitting outside on their lunch break. Or you are partial to sitting in your own garden, a canopy walkway or a retractable awning are ideal solutions for that. Not only that but the perks of both are that the walkway canopy can double as a shelter from the rain when needed and the retractable awning can be rolled away in bad weather.
Form Follows Function
Form follows function, a very well known saying that will help you have a starting point for the rest of your design ideas. The use of the building should dictate what it does and does not need. Then, once you have all of the critical ‘must-haves’, you can move on to the ‘just wants’.
Consider the needs of your staff or your family when you are making changes to the home exterior – they ideally should be an investment that will last.
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