15 Exterior Home Remodeling And Renovation Ideas

Americans spend an average of $51,505 on home renovation projects. While remodeling your whole home is an exciting prospect, sometimes undertaking such a big project isn’t the right choice or in your budget.

Remodeling your home exterior is a smart way to improve curb appeal and up resale value if you ever decide to sell. Today’s Homeowner found that on average, remodeling projects have a 69% return on investment (ROI). If you want to maximize that ROI, stick to exterior projects — they found the average cost recovered for exterior projects was 23% higher than interior ones.

In this post, we’re taking a look at some of the best exterior home remodeling and outdoor home renovation ideas to help you get the most out of your remodeling budget.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your permitted authority or regulatory body before undertaking any remodeling project.

Painting the exterior of your home is an easy and effective way to spruce up its look. If your paint is dull, dingy, or peeling, it’s time for a fresh coat. Changing your paint color is also a fast and easy option to update the look of your home. You’ll want to make sure your paint color choice complements the style of your home. And if you’re planning to sell your house, we recommend choosing a neutral color over a brighter option.

If you’re not planning to sell and just want a new look, keep things interesting by selecting a trending exterior home color.

Another inexpensive home remodeling idea is to make your trim pop by choosing a different color than your house’s walls. This adds contrast and accents your windows and roofline.

A huge trend is to choose bold trim color instead of natural. If your home is a neutral white or beige, you may want to pop your neutral with a bold black, blue, green, or brown trim.

Doors can take a beating from weather, sun, and use. By replacing your doors, you’ll give your home a modern facelift that immediately improves the curb appeal of your home.

You should choose doors that reflect the style of the home but also your family’s personality. A classical or craftsman-style door communicates traditional values, while a more modern one shows a more artistic or eclectic personality.

If your home is older, re-shingling your roof is another way to upgrade your home’s exterior. Not only will it add resale value, but it can also update the look of your home if you choose a more modern shingle like metal shingles, architectural shingles, or concrete.

If you care about the environment and sustainability, you may want to opt for solar panel shingles. These shingles can protect you from the elements, power your home, and give back to the grid.

If your house is made of one main type of material, you could add some texture to your home by adding one or more of the following:

• Stone

• Brick

• Cedar shingles

• Stucco

• Metal

Use these different exterior materials to create an accent wall, plant beds, or other exterior accents. By adding different textures, you can create depth and interest, which updates the look of your home and creates more curb appeal.

Replacing windows and shutters can dramatically update and upgrade the look of your home. Many homes have fixed or non-functional shutters that cheapen the look of your home. Replacing the shutters with more stylish, modern ones can increase your home's value.

Windows degrade over time and need replacing, especially where the sun bakes them. By replacing and enlarging your windows, you create more light in your home and modernize the look of your home too.

Adding strategic exterior lighting can make your home more visually appealing at night. It can accent features and make it easier to navigate your walkways at night. You can add sconces, door lights, path lights, or discreet lights. Be careful not to overdo it, though. Too many lights can be distracting and unattractive.

Replacing your garage doors with more stylish designs can really update your home's look. It can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. Plus, according to Today’s Homeowner, garage door replacements have a 100% return on investment, so updating them is always a good bet.

Popular decorative garage door styles include:

• Carved doors

• Contemporary

• Barn

• Carriage style doors

A new garage door can cost between $850 and $5,500, with an average cost of $1,200. Garage doors can last for about 30 years with proper maintenance, so if a full replacement isn’t in your budget, try refreshing or repairing your existing doors. 

One of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal is to upgrade the landscaping. Adding shrubbery, trees, and plants is a great way to add color, texture, and interest to your home. You’ll also want to clean up any plants or trees that have gotten overgrown.

Here are a few trending landscaping ideas to increase your property’s appeal:

• Utilize drought-tolerant plants

• Add low-carbon landscaping

• Create an immersive garden

• Incorporate recycled and reclaimed materials for your gardens

• Add wildlife-friendly shrubs and plants

Fencing your yard is an excellent way to protect family and pets while also defining the boundaries of your property. Fences come in a wide variety of materials, shapes, and styles so you should be able to find one that matches your house’s style.

You may need to check with your homeowner’s association before you install a new fence because the HOA may dictate what style and height of fence you can install.

You may also need a site plan of your property to determine the best location for your fence and ensure it doesn’t infringe on your neighbor’s property line.

Creating an inviting outdoor space can transform your yard into an escape. You can do this by building a patio, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, or lounge area. Better Homes and Gardens recommends these tips for creating an outdoor oasis to improve the value of your home:

• Mix colors and textures

• Add plants

• Install ambient lighting

• Create areas of shade

• Add an outdoor kitchen and eating area

• Ensure the space is private

• Buy comfortable and durable furniture

• Add outdoor structures like a trellis, pergola, or arbor

• Install a hot tub or spa

• Build a fire pit or fireplace

Porches are great, welcoming spaces that can also serve as outdoor living areas. By adding a porch or enlarging your existing porch, you can create an inviting area to enjoy the neighborhood and a versatile space for entertaining.

If you choose to expand or add a porch, you may need a site plan to ensure precise measurements and design.

The style and functionality of your driveways and walkways can significantly increase your home's curb appeal. A big trend for driveways and walkways is to use permeable pavers, stamped concrete, or bricks to add some decorative interest to your home’s exterior.

You can change up the look of your walkways by changing the material or adding curves to create more interest. Don’t forget to add accent lights to illuminate pathways and increase safety at night.

Another great exterior home remodeling idea is adding exterior accent walls to your house. Try mixing materials to create a visual contrast with the rest of your house.

Popular exterior accent wall materials include:

• Horizontal lap siding

• Board-and-batten siding

• Decorative trim

• Corrugated metal

• Panels

• Shingles

You can mix and match these materials to highlight different exterior features like eaves, towers, or upper stories. If your budget won’t allow re-cladding an entire section of exterior wall, consider using paint to create colorful accents instead.

No matter what you choose, remember to keep an editing eye — accent walls only work when they’re used sparingly.

If your siding looks weathered or cracked, you’ll want to replace your sooner rather than later. Replacing siding is one of the most significant and cost-effective outdoor renovation ideas to improve your home’s value.

Plus, by replacing your siding you are improving your home’s exterior structure and you can expect to get a 91% return on your investment when you sell your house.

Hopefully, we’ve given you a few new ideas to help refresh the look of your home and your outdoor spaces. If you’re planning projects like updating your porch, building a new fence, or resurfacing your driveway, it’s important to know the details of your property before you get started. That’s where a site plan comes in handy. My Site Plan can help you create a site plan for your property in as little as 24 hours so you can get started right away.

Ready to get to work updating the exterior of your house? Get in touch with My Site Plan to see how we can help.