Don’t let your attractiveness suffer.

As the first impression of your home, it is important that the exterior, especially the front facade, is refreshed and welcoming. It goes beyond color containers and pretty doormats. “‘Outdated’ can also mean not working,” says designer Lisa Henderson of Lisa Henderson Interiors. “When approaching an outdoor space, a holistic approach will ensure an exterior that is both attractive and practical.” Lighting and paint colors shutters and roofing, the smallest details can hinder the potential of your home exterior appeal.

“For example, adding a modern light fixture above the front door can change the look, along with a cheerful welcome mat and potted plants,” says designer Maggie Griffin of Design Maggie Griffin. Ultimately, every house is different and what it looks like exceeds may differ, but here are some general guidelines according to designers. “Of course, there are exceptions to every rule,” adds designer Lauren Lowe of Lauren Elaine Interiors.

Related: Exterior Trends That Will Boost Your Curb Appeal in 2024, According to Experts

Trends that won’t stand the test of time

“Keep it classic and it will look great for years to come,” says Lowe. Trends often have expiration dates. When building or modernizing a home, focus on timeless and traditional elements. “Anything too trendy or era-specific can eventually make your home look dated,” says designer Laura Hodges of Laura Hodges Studio.

Also consider the location and style of your home. “Not all homes are architecturally appropriate to adopt the modern style. farm trend: one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to a white house and black trim,” adds Elly Poston Cooper, founder of Elly Poston Interiors. “And those contemporary windows that were hot in 2018 probably won’t be hot in 2028.”

Inconsistent materials

“The quickest way to date a project is to use inconsistent building materials that are reminiscent of the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000s,” Cooper says. “Choose a palette and material, then embrace it,” she adds. Along the same lines, if you’re renovating or updating your home, make sure any new additions are consistent with existing features. This can be particularly tricky when it comes to brickwhich Lowe notes to avoid brick with pink or orange undertones.

Tired plants

“Replace overgrown shrubs, especially if the house is obscured by them, and add interest with plant texture and color,” suggests Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors. While landscaping will not date a house in the same way as building materials, new plantings can take your house far in terms of refresh the exterior. “Tired plants need to be removed or undergo ‘rejuvenation pruning,’” says Jean Liu of Jean Liu Design. Williams also recommends updating old containers and planters by adding fresh plantings or simple ferns.

Shutters not quite correct

Whether it’s size, scale or color, the right shutters can make or break the ambiance of your home’s exterior. “Shutters were born out of a need for protection from the elements, security and privacy, but over time they became like ‘earrings’ for windows – being used as pure ornament without any consideration for function,” says designer Katie Wolf of Wolf Interiors. Poorly sized shutters are a sign of an outdated exterior. “A real shutter should work, cover the window if it’s closed, and have hardware to make it look truly authentic,” says Wolf. “For hardware, shutter dogs (tiebacks) are not only there to hold your shutters open, but they also provide the opportunity to add a design element.” All shutters in a home should have the proper hardware to keep them open, whether they are functional or just for appearance. Shutters should also reflect the shape and size of the window. “If your windows are arched, your shutters must be arched,” adds the designer.

Overly maintained lawns and fake plants

“Well-manicured lawns can be beautiful, but with so much water used to maintain lawns, I think that look is starting to look old-fashioned and out of touch with climate change,” notes Hodges, who is seeing more and more gardens with native plants. Hodges also recommends staying away from fake plants on doors and in hanging planters and window boxes when possible. “If you can’t use a live plant, try preserved plants which will last longer and still look great,” she suggests.

Incompatible paint scheme

Paint is one of the best ways to freshen up your home, but think about your palette before committing. Mismatched colors and shades will do the opposite of boosting curb appeal. “I love tonal color palettes, like using the same color family to paint the body of your home, then shifting the palette a little lighter or darker for the trim and windows,” says designer Laura Jenkins of Laura W. Jenkins Interiorswhich is inspired by historic houses. “Don’t be afraid of color. If you don’t want to commit to color on a large part of the house, have fun with the door, suggests Jenkins. And while there are plenty of colors to play with, also think about the style of your home. In general, Lowe advises staying away from brown paint unless your home is a classic. Tudor styleand be wary of trim colors with yellow undertones, especially if they’re against brick.

Polished brass hardware and lighting

Just as lighting sets the tone for a room in the home, it is also one of the primary ways to create a warm welcome outdoors. “The polished brass hardware and lighting seem like a holdover from the 1980s,” says Jenkins. “I love brass hardware and lighting, but I always use “living finishes” that will patina and age over time, which is especially important for historic homes. When thinking about exterior designs, it’s also best to avoid overly ornate selections that could date your home in the future.

Ho-Hum Roofing

If it’s time to replace your roof due to damage or age, it might be a good idea to consider using something other than flat strip asphalt shingles. “If you’re renovating your roof, use dimensional architectural shingles or, if you have the budget, a luxury material (like cedar shakes, slate, or copper accents), especially if your roof is highly visible.” , suggests Jenkins.

Peeling paint

The power of paint is undeniable, both positive and negative. “Faded shutters and a dark front door can easily date your home,” says Griffin. Even if a complete exterior refresh is not in the cards, a bolder shade on certain elements will be very useful. “Fresh paint will always update an exterior, especially a contrasting color on the front door” says Williams. “If you have a porch, consider repainting or updating the furniture as well.”

Retro house numbers

“Even though house numbers are just a small detail on an exterior, they are one of those things that can date a house. If you’ve lived in your home for more than ten years or moved into an older home, there’s a good chance the house numbers need refreshing,” says the interior designer. Rashida Banks. “Changing the location, font type and size of the numbers are all factors to consider to give your exterior a rejuvenated look. And if you use sticker numbers, definitely replace them with something more modern like wall numbers. »

Substandard windows and doors

When you think about it, windows and doors take up a large portion of the frontage of your home, so it’s important to consider the type of product you choose. “When updating your windows or doors, be sure to use quality products that replicate the original style of the home,” says Jenkins. “And never use windows with false mullions!”