Get Fresh

Published: November 2024, in Home Design

Creating a stylish new look to your home’s exterior not only boosts street appeal, it offers a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come.

First impressions count. Creating exterior and surrounds adds real value. It’s also an opportunity to get creative and craft curated spaces that reflect the way you love to live outdoors, whether you dream of adding a swimming pool, a new roof design and colour, stylish new cladding to modernise your home, or landscaping and beautiful outdoor entertaining spaces.

Fixing A Tired Roof?

Repainting a roof won’t break the bank, but you won’t get the same longevity that you would if you chose instead to replace it. The roof of a home is its first line of defence against the elements; it’s a home’s protective barrier that forms part of the building envelope. If you are opting to replace a tired and dated roof, there are a potential host of advantages. A new roof could improve insulation, ventilation, energy efficiency and visual appeal.

Roofing is part of the overall visual landscape that makes up a home’s exterior, so it’s important to select an option that complements the architectural style of your home. James says a roof shape or style can really create a memorable first impression. “The roof is the fifth facade of a house,” he notes. “It can have a big impact on how the home looks and increase its street appeal.”

Cool Colours

A home that has aesthetically pleasing colours which harmonise together has universal appeal. James says the inherent value of colour can’t be underestimated. “If I add different elements to a home, like decorative posts, and paint them one colour, I’m not accentuating or highlighting them,” he says. “I suggest one colour for the wall and a contrasting colour for elements I want to show off. This will boost visual impact.”

Classic neutral colours never go out of style. It’s OK to take a walk on the wild side with colour, but keep in mind, if you decide to sell, it will probably appeal to a more limited demographic. Why not add some pops of colour with a new statement front door in a vibrant shade, or add accent colours with potted plants?

Little Big Things

It’s all in the details. When you’re renovating your home, ideally you want it to reflect your style. James says you can define the character of your dwelling by using the right kind of detailing. “This can include the type and style of window, trims and architraves, and external awnings,” he says. “Do you want decorative posts, a verandah and a balustrade? Will it be made of metal or glass? All of these elements work to change how it looks.”

Splash out on some contemporary fencing to create a revitalised appearance for your home. It’s a way to inject style while also serving your practical needs, like keeping kids and pets safe. Brick, metal, masonry, timber, or a combination of some of these elements can add swathes of appeal.

Outdoor lighting not only illuminates spaces for safety, it can also work to create beautiful spaces filled with light and shadow when the sun goes down. Lighting can accentuate outdoor dining spaces, feature plants in the garden and outdoor sculptures.

Dive In

A swimming pool is an investment in your family’s lifestyle. If you have a pool, you’ll always know where your tribe are — at your place with their friends. New-look pools are making waves in the industry and wowing discerning designers with their sleek sophistication and style. Swimming pools are available in myriad different shapes and styles, from round and square to rectangular or freeform — virtually any shape you can imagine.

Infinity-edge pools, with the shimmering water seeming to disappear over the horizon, are also sought after, as are spa seats in swimming pools so you can sit and relax in the water. Or you could add a standalone spa to soothe away those aches and rejuvenate after a busy week.

Paving The Way

When renovating your outdoor pool or dining area, tiles are a great option for a host of reasons. Paul Byrne from Amber Group Australia says outdoor materials need to be durable and withstand extreme temperatures, moisture and UV rays. “Slip resistance is crucial around pools for safety, so pick pavers with a slip-resistant finish,” he advises.

Choose pavers that are easy to clean, as outdoor spaces collect dirt and debris. Paul suggests porcelain and natural stone tiles as these are strong, weather-resistant, and blend well with natural surroundings. “At Amber we offer a wide selection of outdoor flooring options,” he shares. “Our new Primal collection offers four contemporary colours in both indoor and outdoor finishes for a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.”

Cool and contemporary, modern and inspired by nature, earthy tones like warm beige, sandy taupe and soft greys are popular, says Paul. “They create a serene, organic feel that complements outdoor environments. Rich terracotta and deep charcoal are also making a statement, adding warmth and contrast to outdoor settings.”

Adding textural elements like fluted battens, textured cladding like Amber’s new Patara and Ankara stone cladding, and French-patterned floors are making a bold statement in modern outdoor areas. “These features not only enhance the aesthetic appeal, but also create a tactile experience, making outdoor spaces more engaging and dynamic,” concludes Paul.

All Decked Out

Decking amplifies your living space and offers a very real sense of connectedness and flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. From ironbark to spotted gum, merbau, treated pine and composite decking, there is a range of decking options at different price points. A deck makes entertaining a breeze; you can gather the gang together outside, fire up the barbecue with some tasty tucker, a brew or two and you have an instant crowd pleaser. Ideally the deck would flow off interior living spaces to create a sense of connectedness.

Curate bespoke spaces your way with designer furniture, outdoor sofas, and dining tables and chairs to cater for your entertaining needs. Add a few soft throws, plush cushions and outdoor rugs to soften the space.

Value-Add Renovations

Outdoor renovations not only include changes to your home, but the surrounding landscape too. The key is to curate beautiful spaces that draw you outdoors, that improve your lifestyle, and offer a sense of connectivity to the great outdoors.

But of course, you want it to look fabulous. Kev Quelch from Inovasis Design says the enduring adage, form follows function, holds true. “As a designer I want everything to look brilliant, but it needs to perform the required functions for those who live there,” he says.

Designing and landscaping outdoors is something that can be done in stages, however Kev says it can be more expensive doing it that way in the long run. “Yes, it’s possible, but it’s generally not as cost effective,” he explains. When choosing what you want, it all comes down to lifestyle. Kev says there are several main areas that can work to determine your layout and inclusions: cooking, dining, play and swimming. “When I consult with a client, we talk about what they want to achieve,” he says. “They might not be able to accomplish everything, so we look at what can be compromised on in terms of budget.”

You might want your outdoor spaces to contain a custom inbuilt outdoor kitchen so you can host a regular family brunch, or gather around a firepit with inbuilt seating in a cosy corner of the yard. Perhaps a pool is on your must-have list, or a comfortable covered outdoor lounge area for casual get-togethers.

“One of the most important questions I’m asked is about the cost of outdoor landscaping and design components,” he says. “In the industry, they suggest spending 10 per cent of your property value to get a good result, but if you want the ‘wow’ factor, you’ll need to spend 20 per cent. If it’s done well, you’ll get 20 per cent back on top of the final cost when you sell.”

Close The Deal

Once you’ve done some research and determined what you want to achieve in your outdoor renovation, ask about timeframes and when you can expect the project to be finalised. Always keep the communication channels open with your design team and builders. Understand that there will potentially be budget blowouts. Sometimes it is the unforeseen; once cladding is removed, there could be issues that were not visible until works commenced, for example. Keep your sense of humour. What might feel like a frustration at the time when renovating could translate to a funny story once the work is complete. An external renovation can make you feel as though you have a brand-new home. Next steps — taking it inside! Stay tuned.