When you own a small home, you need to think about good design solutions to make it look bigger. To create an illusion of a bigger space from the outside, you need the right upgrades and strategic changes. Even compact homes can look spacious and visually striking if you know what you’re doing, and you don’t have to be an exterior designer to achieve that. There are certain rules/advice that you should definitely know in order to make your job easier.
Exterior design is so much more than simple curb appeal, it is more about visual balance, color choices, and subtle structure enhancements that are going to make your home stand out for the right reasons.
Without further delay, here is how you can enhance your home’s exterior and transform your small house into a grand one, no matter how many square feet it has.
Use Vertical Elements to Add Height
When you don’t have a big home, you need to use all you’ve got to create a perception that it is bigger than it is. If your home feels ‘short’, you can use an old design trick that draws the eye upward. If you make vertical enhancements, it’ll make your home look taller.
Here are some vertical enhancements you should try:
- Tall window shutters – Framing windows with full-length shutters is a great idea for small homes.
- Slim, vertical landscaping – Use plants that are tall, like arborvitae, cypress, or tall trellises.
- Vertical siding or accents – Place board-and-batten or vertical panels in strategic areas.
- Pillars or posts – If you add vertical framing, it will extend the porch columns or doorway.
Upgrade Your Front Door and Garage Door for Impact
Front doors are a big part of that first impression, and if you pair them with matching garage doors, it can change the whole visual appeal. If your budget is not limited, you can go crazy with buying some luxurious doors, but if you want to make some improvements for a reasonable price, a repair may be the right option for you.
If you want to repair your garage doors and you want the best service in your area, you can simply search for “garage door repair near me” on your phone/computer, and dozens of results will pop out from which you should check reviews and ratings to find a contractor who’s reputable and trustworthy.
Suggested Entry and Garage Upgrades
| Upgrade Type | Estimated Cost Range (in USD) | Visual Impact |
| New front door
(steel/fiberglass) |
800-2,500 | High |
| Garage door panel replacement | 400-1,200 | Medium to High |
| Full garage door replacement | 1,000-3,000+ | High |
| Decorative hardware kits | 50-150 | Low but noticeable |
Little adjustments, such as matching colors on your porch door and garage door, or using windows in both, help build that same appearance and suggest to the onlooker an improved overall space.
Paint With a Purpose
By color, a house can be made expansive or vice versa. This is the magic in which even small houses can be made grand with proper color strategic shades and contrast techniques.
Four Color rules for adding visual expansions to small houses:
- Let light and reflective neutrals be the main body – soft greys, beiges, or warm whites.
- An accented bold color, such as navy or black, can be added for shutters, doors, trim, etc.
- Never break colors at the horizontal plane; it literally flattens the house.
- Use the same color from base to roofline for height.
Use Symmetry and Balance
Symmetry has a way of making even the smallest house appear more official and dignified. Every house is not symmetrical; however, by placement and décor, you can define balance in that aspect.
Examples of the balanced exterior elements:
- Identical planters on either side of the door.
- Sconces or lantern lights flank the entrance.
- Pathway aligned in the center with plants or solar lights.
While designing outdoor upgrades, the ‘rule of thirds’ must be used to avoid clutter while maintaining a good balance. Items can be grouped in sets of threes, such as bushes, potted plants, or stones, to give an upscale look.
Conclusion
Small spaces are full of big possibilities when smart design choices are applied. From thinking vertically, to matching doors, smart colors, and balances in landscaping, all can play effective roles in creating space illusions and effects through targeted intention.
Give your home impressive curb appeal through visual tricks combined with functional upgrades, such as keeping garage doors, renewing ways, and layering. You will be amazed at how much difference you can achieve with some simple enhancements that really don’t have to break the bank.
Smart design solutions are going to transform your small house into grand, or at least it will make it look much bigger and spacious than it is.
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