How to make a small home look bigger from the outside?

Change the Color of Your Home Paint it something lighter because light colors and neutrals will make it seem like a more prominent structure. Dark colors close off the exterior, while lighter colors reflect light to make the look of a home more expansive and wider.

How to modernize a colonial home exterior?

Black house numbers, faux copper gutters, and black planters and light fixtures create a sleek feel. When paired with a dark walnut stain on the front door, garage, and columns, it creates the perfect balance between organic textures and the home's traditional siding.

What color makes a house look bigger outside?

Change the Color Consider changing the color palette of the exterior of your home to a lighter tone, like white or gray , to give it an open and spacious look and feel.

What is the best exterior renovation?

Windows and paint top the list. The most popular exterior renovations for U.S. homeowners are windows or skylights and exterior paint (21% each), followed by roofing, exterior doors and gutters closely following (20%, 19% and 19%, respectively).

What is modern exterior design?

Homeowners should choose materials that not only enhance the visual appeal of their house but also minimize environmental impact. In modern home exterior trends, minimalist and contemporary designs are gaining attraction, and these are characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a neutral color palette .

What does a Dutch Colonial house look like?

Getty Images Dutch and German-style Colonial homes are characterized by their gambrel roof and overhanging eaves, which makes them look barn-like . Dormer windows and a matched pair of chimneys on either side of the house are common, too.

How do you make a 70s house look modern?

6 Ideas for Updating a 1970s House Change your trim — Whether that means replacing it with something new or simply painting over it, choose a brighter stain or color for a modernizing effect. Replace your flooring — Replace any shag carpet or grungy laminate flooring with something fresh and clean, like hardwood.

How can I make my old house look expensive?

Here are some ideas: Paint The Walls: A fresh coat of paint can instantly give an old house a new look. ... Add Crown Molding: Crown molding is an easy and inexpensive way to add a touch of elegance to an old house. ... Upgrade The Lighting: Replace old light fixtures with new ones that are classic and timeless. More items... Jul 26, 2023

How can I make my old house beautiful?

How to Make an Old Home Feel New? Create Space in your Home. ... Renovate Your Bathroom. ... Install New Lighting in Your Home. ... Add New Door Handles to Renovate the Kitchen. ... Garden Landscaping. ... Replace Window Treatments. ... Insert Temporary Wallpaper. ... Smart Home System. More items...

How can I make my outdoor space look bigger?

Tall trees, interesting wall features and vertical gardens instantly add dimension to a small yard by directing your gaze upwards. A tall retractable roof, Roof-to-Fence Blinds, awnings or shade sails over a patio or deck also create the illusion of more space by drawing attention upwards.

What to do if your house is too small?

How to cope with a smaller home if you can't move Opt for a gym membership instead of a home gym. Get a plot at a community garden if your yard is too small for your green thumb. Store your seasonal sporting equipment or decorations in a storage unit. Declutter to the best of your abilities. Feb 25, 2022

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (2024)

Small homes can make a big impression. With the right exterior features, even the tiniest cottage or bungalow can project serious curb appeal. See how these small homes gained serious character with updates to their exteriors in color scheme, landscaping, and more.

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Before: Falling Down Fixer-Upper

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (1)

This 1925 bungalow needed a major overhaul to make it liveable. It had rotted wood siding and nonfunctioning windows, and the structure was on the verge of falling down. The renovation completely altered the exterior, adding modern appeal while retaining its historic charm.

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After: Modern Bungalow Makeover

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (2)

Set against dark blue siding, crisp white trim now highlights the small home's architectural details. A sunny yellow front door beckons visitors onto the redone front porch. Squared-off columns and a metal roof above the porch nod to the home's Craftsman roots.

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Before: Drab Facade

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (3)

A beige color scheme set a dreary tone for this small cottage. Black awnings cast gloomy shadows over the windows and front door, and the tiny porch hardly offered a warm welcome. The before-and-after makeover showcases the difference a brighter exterior color palette and broader front steps can make.

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After: Bright and Cheery Cottage

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (4)

White paint brightens the small home's exterior, while a new Dutch door and stripes painted on the awnings bring in a zippy lime-green accent. Low-slung wooden steps now wrap around the small porch for a more open feel. Window boxes and planted containers provide pretty curb appeal.

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Before: Boring Brick Home

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (5)

This small brick home had some interesting features, but no distinct personality. Standard-issue brick and minimal landscaping left the Cape Cod with little curb appeal. The door and shutters seemed out of scale with the rest of the structure.

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After: Distinctive Exterior Update

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (6)

A sleek black-and-white color scheme modernizes the brick exterior. Wider shutters and sidelights around the new front door feel more in proportion with the rest of the home. Window boxes, evergreen topiaries, and boxwood hedges now distinguish the small house.

Before: Lackluster Exterior

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (7)

Lifeless and gray, this front porch served as merely a pass-through to the front door. Though the porch was structurally sound and offered ample space, it needed a few creative touches in order to turn heads. A makeover created an inviting outdoor living space.

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After: Pretty Porch Makeover

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (8)

A front porch update boosted this home's curb appeal. Instead of a traditional rail, the homeowners opted for a geometric design that spoke to the bungalow's architectural style. Replacing the screens with stylish curtain panels boosted the porch's privacy. Low, colorful plantings frame the front of the house with greenery.

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Before: Boxy and Blah Exterior

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (9)

This small home exterior lacked architectural features to lend it style. Wrapped in dingy yellow siding and trimmed in brown, the facade mostly fell flat. An extensive addition to the back of the house provided the perfect opportunity to refresh the entire exterior.

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After: Stylish Small-Home Makeover

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (10)

The gabled peak of the second-story addition now springs from the existing roofline, and an expanded portico with columns transforms the front door into a welcoming entrance. New steps and a wider walkway, made from concrete stamped to resemble cobblestones, graciously usher guests to the electric-red front door. Enlarging the windows and adding an awning made the cottage look gracious and inviting.

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Small Ranch Revival

This small home previously lacked any stylistic features to make it stand out. The homeowners embarked on an ambitious exterior makeover to add retro-inspired curb appeal. See how the bland ranch took on striking midcentury modern style.

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Before: Dated Home Exterior

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (11)

A dated color scheme obscured much of the character of this small home. Overgrown landscaping also contributed to the neglected look. A few simple but thoughtful changes allowed the charming exterior to shine.

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After: Charming Cottage Home

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (12)

A lightened-up exterior color scheme modernizes this cottage without sacrificing character. A simple palette of gray and white with black accents makes the small home appear larger. Custom touches, like a new front door and window box, also boost curb appeal.

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Before: Characterless Ranch

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (13)

This 1960s ranch couldn't provide the space or style its owners needed. The single-level home sat too low to offer views of the nearby ocean and made living quarters tight. An extensive renovation helped the small home better serve the family and fit in with its surroundings.

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After: Quintessential Cape Cod

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (14)

Inspired by the local architecture, the renovated home now exhibits classic Cape Cod style with weathered-gray shake shingles and bright white trim. The redesign included the addition of a widow's walk that offers views of Cape Cod Bay. The perch is accessible from a pull-down ladder above the home's upper-level landing.

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Before: Hidden-Away Home

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (15)

A dull paint job and overgrown, unkempt bushes held this home back from its full potential. Although it had some charming features, the dilapidated appearance couldn't be overlooked. An exterior makeover refreshed the small home with a brighter, more modern look.

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After: Small Home Refresh

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (16)

Shaped-up hedges allow this home to step into view. A new front door and fresh exterior color scheme update the wraparound porch with a sleek look. Shades of gray pair with navy and white to achieve a modern farmhouse aesthetic.

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Before: Buried Charms

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (17)

This small home's exterior was quite the eyesore. Although the porch offered extra living space, the boxy design and lack of furniture or decor left it uninviting. Boring white paint and zero landscaping left a lot of room for improvement.

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After: Updated Bungalow

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (18)

The home makeover added an upper level with sleeping niches, along with another bathroom and bedroom on the main level, all with a similar square footage as its cinder-block ancestor. A screened porch and dormers fit in with traditional island style. The seafoam green exterior color complements the now lush landscaping.

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Before: Lackluster Landscape

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (19)

Dull landscaping and discordant colors lessened this Cape Cod home's charisma. Overgrown trees and shrubs blocked views both inside and out. Although it had a stately presence, the small home lacked polish.

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After: Elegant Home Exterior

Before-and-After Small-Home Exterior Makeovers That Added Major Style (20)

A fresh paint job and simple structural changes, including a new portico, brought the home into the spotlight. The neutral color scheme helps play up its sophisticated appearance. Landscaping the sloped front yard finished the exterior makeover with traditional style.