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You may have noticed that new homes hitting the market are painted a deep charcoal, or that wood accents are everywhere from window headers to porch steps. If you’re selling your home this year, updating the exterior could put more money in your pocket. And if you’re staying put, a refresh can boost your pride of ownership.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just want to know what’s popular, you’ll want to check out these exterior house trends for 2022:
- Dramatic, moody paint colors
- Natural wood
- Painted brick
- Texture
- Hardscaping
- Metal roofing
- Ambient outdoor lighting
- Large windows and window walls
1. Dramatic, moody paint colors
Dark is in: We’re seeing shades of charcoal, navy, olive, and forest green for the whole house or as accent colors.
If you prefer something brighter but still on trend, apply one of these shades to your window trim or gutters while using a creamy white or beige gray on the facade.
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2. Natural wood
You’ll find natural wood with gold and copper undertones on front doors, columns, garage doors, and decks. You’ll also see it in planters, porch headers, and patio furniture.
These accents provide a balancing warmth to a home’s exterior, especially against darker paint that might otherwise make your home look forbidding.
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3. Painted brick
Many people (and homeowners associations) feel as passionate about whether brick should be painted as they do about their favorite sports teams. But we’re not here to take sides — just to tell you the trends.
Painted brick is in — specifically, lighter tones of paint that allow darker colors to peep through. And while some might say it’s blasphemy to smother historic red bricks in masonry paint, you’re unlikely to catch flak for concealing a cheap brick facade with a higher-end finish.
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4. Texture
Texture is a key component of a well-designed home exterior. Painted brick is one way of adding that dimension. Here are several others:
- Shiplap: This wood has long added dimension to walls and ceilings indoors. Now we’re seeing it as exterior siding, running vertically.
- Shakes or shingles: Not just for roofs, these rectangular pieces of split or sawn wood (or an engineered look-alike, such as polymer or vinyl) can add interest to facade gables.
- Manufactured stone: This material remains a popular choice for customizing a basic home. Lighter colored stone contrasts cleanly against dark paint.
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5. Hardscaping
Speaking of stone, let’s talk about hardscaping. This low-maintenance landscaping uses concrete and stone instead of grass and is especially practical in drought-prone areas of the American West.
Hardscaping doesn’t mean eliminating all plant life, of course. In conjunction with trees and native plants well-suited to your climate, it’s a great foundation for driveways and outdoor living space. Stone-and-paver walkways are especially popular right now.
Get More Ideas: 10 Ways to Craft an Elegant Outdoor Space
6. Metal roofing
Metal roofing can last decades longer than asphalt shingles and can be made from recycled materials. It’s an increasingly popular choice among sustainability-minded homeowners. Plus they’re more durable and able to withstand the effects of severe weather.
Metal roofing comes in numerous colors and styles, and can also reduce energy costs by reflecting the sun. That said, it can also be a pricey choice, depending on what type of metal you choose.
Learn More: How to Increase Your Home Value: Complete Guide
7. Ambient outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting that adds style, not just function, might be one of the most underused exterior design techniques.
Farmhouse-style exterior fixtures remain a popular way to light garages and porches. However, you can achieve a much more luxurious look by layering different styles and intensities of lighting and installing them in less-obvious locations both above and below eye level.
Here are a few options:
- A sconce to highlight your house numbers
- A gas fire pit and string lights for backyard entertaining
- Recessed lighting under roof overhangs (soffit lights)
- Post lights in the front yard
- Path lights along the front walkway
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8. Large windows and window walls
Today’s energy-efficient and noise-reducing window designs mean fewer trade-offs in comfort and quiet. So, if you’ve thought about replacing your windows, consider going big. Large panes invite more natural light into the room, making it feel more spacious and putting you more in touch with the outdoors.
That’s especially true for window walls, which are just what they sound like: a series of floor-to-ceiling windows placed right next to each other. Incorporate a folding or moving glass wall system (or more budget-friendly sliding glass doors) for a remarkably seamless indoor-outdoor living space.
How to fund these home improvements
Incorporating even one of these exterior trends could make a big difference in your home’s appearance, but sometimes you might need to do several to create a cohesive look.
If you need a lot of cash for your exterior home renovation, Credible can help you compare lenders and find a great rate on a cash-out refinance loan in minutes.
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