Your garage is an integral part of your home, no matter what you use it for. So it stands to reason that how your house looks is a direct reflection on how your garage looks and vice versa. Sure, solid garage design tips might help you get the most out of that space, you need actionable house design tips to bring the whole thing together. But how do you do it?
Consider the different parts of your home. From living room to garage; exterior to interior – you have to take a holistic approach. What is the first thing people see when they come to your home? Likely, it’s exterior. Let’s start there.
Sure, we get it. Outdoor home updates may not be as sexy and exciting as a brand new kitchen or big update to your master bedroom. But that doesn’t make it any less important. Interior and garage design tips only get you so far. You need to stay on top of the latest trends within your neighborhood. What are your neighbors doing? Look, no one said you need to be ashamed for keeping up with the Jones’s. In many cases, you may do your house a favor by following a trend your smart neighbor just bought into. The first place you can look is the garage door.
Top Garage Design Tips for Your Home
So, how should you approach a new home exterior? Well, we may be biased, but why not start with the garage door? One of the easiest ways to overhaul your home’s curb value is to upgrade your garage door. There are some critical factors underlying the importance of your garage door.
- Your garage door can cover up to 40% of your home’s exterior.
- A well-built and installed garage door can last upwards of 25 years.
- The garage door is likely the largest moving object in or around your house.
- Garage doors routinely rank in the top five best home improvements for return on investment.
- Depending on what you choose, garage doors typically cost under $1,000.
Whether you go with a wood, steel, or aluminum version, there are plenty of choices to fit your home’s needs and aesthetic. Not only that, a new garage door will both increase your home’s value and make it look better. And you can do it all without breaking your bank or a sweat. It is not difficult to find what you’re looking for among the vast library of contemporary, traditional or country, and many other styles and types of doors out there. There are many thousands of different configurations and options. Residents of Akron, Canton, and the surrounding areas, need to consider the weather. Outfit your new garage door with thermal breaks and weather stripping to prevent the cold or the heat from seeping in. Fortunately, we have lots of experience installing garage doors of almost any type or configuration.
So, now you have addressed your garage door, but what about your garage interior? We have spent a lot of time on this topic and have some great ideas for how to use your interior garage space. Thing is, this particular article is about the exterior of your house. And there is a lot more to your home’s exterior than your garage door. What the grass and trees? Is your landscaping a horrible mess? Because if it is, it doesn’t matter how many garage design tips we give you, your home exterior isn’t going to do you any favors.
Landscaping to be Envied
It doesn’t matter how beautiful your house is if the land it sits on is less-than-appealing. Yard debris, broken down cars, trash – all these and more are death knells to the beauty of your home’s landscaping. Having a stunning front and back yard takes more than just a flower here and a random plant there. Your house has a design theme, so why shouldn’t your landscaping? In fact, your landscaping design elements should both complement and enhance your home’s overall aesthetic. Building on an idea that works for the look and feel of your home without breaking the bank is what owning a home is all about!
There are plenty of quick and easy ways home owners can increase their home’s appeal. A quick trip to the hardware store, online store, or plant nursery will yield results:
- A set of Beau Jardin solar lights flanking your walkway might give your nighttime walk just the illumination and class it needs.
- Large potted plants – quite literally – make a big impression. Rely on them to give life to your yard.
- Add an element of mystery and the soothing sounds of a fountain with a Peaktop 4-tiered outdoor fountain.
- Astroturf is in and it isn’t hard to find quality, realistic astroturf that saves water and looks good.
You may also want to consider native landscaping trends. Homeowners from Uniontown to Cuyahoga Falls have plenty to choose from. How about carefully placed Red Oak or Japanese Maple tree. The northeastern Ohio environment and micro climate is great for so many different types of flora. There are no shortage experienced landscapers and landscape architects that can help you build the yard of your dreams.
Technology for a 21st Century Home Exterior
We talk about technology in our articles all the time. Why? Because we write what we think you would find useful. We want to be an authority on garage doors, garage design, and other related home owning tips and tricks. This is our realm. So, when it comes to tips and tricks, we are big fans of technology. Whether it be through a WiFi-connected garage door, enhanced security systems, or smart lighting, your home exterior stands to benefit from a technological touch.
Think of it this way: You enjoy different kinds of technology inside your home. So, why not add technology to your home’s exterior? There are many devices on the market that are inexpensive and easy to use or install, from security cameras to yard devices. Outdoor weather stations, water sensors and smart sprinkler controllers have come a long way in the past decade. Devices are much more reliable and effective today than they used to be when the smart device market was nascent.
Want to entertain friends and family? Consider weatherproof outdoor speakers and elegant patio tables and chairs. When combined with your new solar light and water feature, your entertaining space – whether in the front or back – will be complete! And the fact is, there is so much more. From advanced wood siding to improved wall structures and materials, we are in a brave new world of exterior home improvements. Welcome to the future!