Looking to take your home exterior to the next level?
You’re not alone.
Every homeowner dreams of having an impressive property that truly stands out from the neighbors.
The good news is that unique exterior architectural features can transform any ordinary home into a stunning masterpiece.
But that’s not all…
Home exterior design ideas also create value, increase curb appeal, and leave an emotional first impression before guests even step foot in your home.
In this article:
- Exterior Features You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Home Exterior Design Ideas With the Highest ROI
- How to Pick the Perfect Architectural Features
Exterior Features You Didn’t Know You Needed
Think of your home’s exterior as the cover of a book.
The first thing people see when they look at your home.
And studies confirm this:
According to Zonda’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, nine out of the 10 projects with the highest ROI were exterior projects. It’s not a coincidence.
Exterior home design ideas with the best return on investment are always going to be exterior renovations and upgrades.
But here’s a fun fact…
For home exterior ideas Phoenix homeowners should be looking at, it’s important to work with patio cover specialists like Royal Covers who know how to customize covered outdoor living spaces for desert climates.
The right covered patio not only looks incredible.
It creates additional functional living space that works in the harshest of summer heat.
Don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at the projects we’ve completed in the past here.
Top Architectural Elements That Instantly Upgrade Homes
It’s not enough to just throw an exterior feature onto your home.
Some have far more impact than others. And, if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, it’s smart to focus on a few high-impact elements.
Let’s start with the entrance.
Entry Features
Your front entry is the focal point of your entire home.
It’s where your home’s style is conveyed with a big visual impact.
A grand entry with custom entry doors and decorative columns or covered entry portico has the power to redefine your home’s personality entirely.
Steel entry doors can recoup an average 188% return on investment when the time comes to sell.
That’s not even half of what you put in coming back to you. Holy cow.
Outdoor Living Structures
Outdoor rooms and living spaces are one of the biggest trends we’ve seen in recent years.
Covered patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and rooms have exploded in popularity as more homeowners seek that seamless indoor/outdoor living experience.
But the smartest outdoor structures do more than just look good.
They function as well.
Covered patios, pergolas, outdoor rooms, kitchens under shelter, and even screened-in porches add real square footage of usable living space to your home.
Decorative Stone and Masonry
Stone veneer is another game-changing product that instantly upgrades any home.
Manufactured stone veneer is great for adding depth and texture to your exterior walls.
It’s the perfect solution for creating more curb appeal instantly.
ROI on manufactured stone veneer can be as high as 150% in some markets.
Unique Rooflines and Dormers
The roofline and the dormers of your home can be used to create powerful visual interest from all angles of your home.
Additions such as dormers, gables, and even a cupola give even the most basic “box” homes some serious character.
These features play well with traditional homes, craftsman-style properties, and also transitional homes.
The ROI Behind Smart Exterior Upgrades
We’ve thrown a lot of numbers at you so far.
Exterior renovations have an advantage over interior projects for an important reason.
Buying a home is emotional.
The moment potential buyers pull into your driveway, they’ve already made a subconscious judgment call. Do they like this home? Will it feel like “the one” to them?
A strong curb appeal wins the day.
It emotionally connects with buyers, leaving them determined to work with your realtor to make an offer.
The home exterior design ideas with the best ROI are also some of the most visible and impactful improvements you can make to your property.
- Garage doors: 194% average ROI
- Steel entry doors: 188% average ROI
- Stone veneer siding: 153% average ROI
- Wood deck additions: 83% average ROI
- Vinyl siding replacement: 80% average ROI
Did you notice a trend here?
Everything on this list can be seen from the street.
Everything has a strong impact on first impressions. Everything tells potential buyers the home has been cared for and updated in a thoughtful way.
How to Pick the Perfect Architectural Features for Your Property
Picking the right features for your home might seem like a challenge.
But, if you break it down to a few simple steps, you can start making decisions with confidence.
Look at Your Existing Home Style
Your existing home’s style will determine the kind of exterior architectural trends you should be looking at.
Do you live in a mid-century modern or a Tuscan-style villa? Everything from entry doors to rooflines should harmonize with the existing character of your home.
If your home doesn’t have any particular style, look to elements of different styles that catch your eye and mimic those when planning your upgrades.
Think About the Climate
Climate is everything.
Desert areas like where Royal Covers is located and where we work call for shade features and heat-resistant building materials.
Coastal regions need products that won’t corrode with salt in the air. Snow loads must be taken into account in colder climates.
Your product and design professionals should guide you on what works and doesn’t depending on local conditions.
Ask Questions
Any reputable building professional you talk to should be happy to discuss different products, materials, and designs with you.
Be sure to ask plenty of questions about function, performance, and upkeep for the things you’re interested in.
Look at Functionality First
Decorative exterior features are great. But the best are also functional in some way.
Do you need more outdoor entertaining space?
Covered patios work well.
You can even use them to create sheltered walkways between your home and other covered outdoor living areas like outdoor rooms and screened-in porches.
Want to reduce cooling costs in your home? Shade structures work.
Decorative walls and screens are also good for creating privacy and intimate outdoor spaces.
Don’t Just Do One Thing
Home exterior design ideas that work together and complement one another are always going to look better than homes with cool, standalone elements that don’t relate to one another.
Entry doors, covered outdoor spaces, landscaping, outdoor lighting, and even your mailbox and home address can all be cohesive elements in a single home design aesthetic.
Think of working with a designer or a contracting company with a solid reputation for delivering great exterior home aesthetics.
Budget Carefully
You also don’t have to do everything at once.
Think of making the biggest visual impact as quickly as possible as your goal.
An updated entry and some new landscaping might be all you need to make your home stand out in your neighborhood.
After that, you can think about adding bigger elements such as a covered patio, pergola, or decorative accent walls and stonework.
Summary
Upgrade home exterior architectural features are how any homeowner can take their home to the next level.
With the right features, you can increase your curb appeal and property value.
You can also create amazing outdoor living spaces to entertain friends and family in.
But it takes some work.
The key takeaways from this article are:
- Exterior renovations will always have higher ROI than interior projects
- Focus on high-impact areas like entries, outdoor living spaces, and visible surfaces
- Match your chosen exterior architectural features to your home’s existing style and local climate
- Think about functionality before aesthetics
- Create a cohesive design where every exterior home element ties into and supports the others
Your home’s exterior is too important to take for granted.
Choose the right exterior architectural features, and any home can become a local neighborhood standout.
Let’s get started on your project.
