Most of our posts are about interiors, but the exterior design of your home is just as important.
In today's post we give a few tips to improve how your home looks from the front, as well as how to create an exterior lighting plan that adequately illuminates as well as ties the outdoor space together.
1. Make the front door matter.
As the entrance to your house, what could be more important than the front door? It sets the scene and bids welcome, both to you and visitors, while passersby may feel some momentary happiness, impressed by the sense of order and beauty there. To give your front door maximum allure, here are a few things you can do.
A Mission Beach pendant by Troy Lighting is framed beautifully by the arch leading to this entrance.
2. Post it.
Place post lights near the foot of the drive and the curb, if there is one. Another one by the sidewalk approach to the house. If you have a mulched garden area, perhaps a tree you're proud of, this might be another area.
When placing a post near a drive or curb, keep it at least one foot back from the driveway or street. Preserve 5’6”-6’6” between ground and the base of fixture. The fixture height should be about ¼ the pole height. Posts not only keep the area amply lit at night, they announce that your home is something of an estate, a place with pride.
Additionally, post lights often come in families that include exterior sconce and lantern options, meaning you can match them throughout both the front and backyard to create a unified outdoor design. That's the approach Jillian Harris took below with our durable and classic Henry Street exterior collection.
Homeowner: Jillian Harris | Light: Henry Street by Troy Lighting
Homeowner: Jillian Harris | Light: Henry Street by Troy Lighting
Homeowner: Jillian Harris | Light: Henry Street by Troy Lighting
Homeowner: Jillian Harris | Light: Henry Street by Troy Ligthing
3. Edged garden beds and flowers.
Bushes, shrubs, flowers, and herbs planted along the front of the house all provide various charms. Keep them trim and use an edger to increase visual definition and contrast. Vary heights to create a look of layered contrast. Smaller homes or ones not needing to conceal a foundation should never underestimate the charm of some windowboxes. Lastly, an island or seated garden area with some gravel set at a midpoint between the house and the road adds considerable appeal. Give it a little fence of its own as well as perhaps a post light, and vary heights of plants here as well. For more on garden-planning, check out our post How Does Your Garden Grow?
4. Transom window and side windows by front door.
Allow those approaching the house a welcoming glimpse with windows that provide a peek at the lighting fixture in the entryway and the warm light spilling out of the house at night.
Design: Kingston Design Connection | A transom window allows a welcoming glimpse into the foyer
The first ever Kingston Design Showhouse (which we covered at length here and here) demonstrates a few of these properties. The color of the front door is beautiful and unexpected, complementing the dark hue of the exterior while highlighting the millwork. A transom window offers an intriguing peep at HVL's Abrams chandelier and the custom wallpaper within. Not having enough room for two sconces or to place one on the doorknob side, a single Morgan exterior sconce adds a beguiling accent and perfect illumination. A garden area in the front creates additional interest, making the house intriguing and inviting.
This shot from before the Kingston Design Connection project was completed showcases its lovely front garden.
For additional inspiration on outdoor design and lighting, check out our posts on dark exteriors or outdoor kitchens or the indoor-outdoor lifestyle and design that is California Coastal.
To explore our full range of exterior lights, dive in here.
