6 Decorating Mistakes so that the Appearance of the House Facade is Not Just Beautiful

Illustration (Vlada Karpovich/Pexels)

JAKARTA - A house is not just a shelter, It is also the first stage that welcomes anyone who passes by. The exterior of the house facade is able to form a strong first impression, reflecting the character, taste, and values of its owner. Unfortunately, many houses fail to display their best potential due to avoidable design errors.

In this article, let's explore the six most common pitfalls in home exterior design and how to fix them so that the house looks elegant, balanced, and charming, launching Better Homes & Gardens, Sunday, February 22.

Exterior Lights Too Small: Just Lighting or Visual Art?

Designer Hanna Shiplett highlights that one of the main mistakes that often occurs is the selection of lights that "miss the scale." Lights that are too small will seem lost in the middle of the house facade, especially if the front of the house has large elements such as a garage.

The secret to fixing it: choose an exterior light with a minimum dimension of 12 inches (about 30 cm). For a modern style that "sticks" to the wall, it doesn't hurt to experiment with a size of up to 20 inches as long as the proportions support the visual of the facade.

Too Much Material: Creative, but It Becomes "Mixed Style"

Architect Todd Hotchkiss calls the phenomenon of using various materials without harmony as "materialistic." Instead of giving character, the use of excessive amounts and styles of bricks, stones, wood or metal actually makes the facade look more chaotic.

A more elegant approach: use one or two main materials, and repeat the accent in several areas so that it feels integrated. If you use natural stone as an accent, apply it on the terrace, column, or path to the door so that it looks like a comprehensive element, not just a sticker.

The Uncovered Front Door: Aesthetic Opportunities Wasted

The front door is a visual focal point that often escapes attention. Shiplett suggests that the front door is given an interesting finish, such as a striking paint color or solid wood with special polishing to showcase the personality of the house.

If possible, consider replacing the usual door model with a double door or adding side elements such as side windows (sidelites) to widen and emphasize the look.

Unproportional Landscape: Too Big or Too Small

Garden and landscape designs that are too large can "swallow" the elements of the house, large trees can block the facade and make the house structure disappear behind the vegetation. On the other hand, plants that are too small or merely thin flowers can make the appearance of the house seem weak and unbalanced.

The key: consider the scale of the house when designing the landscape. Use green elements that are able to "pinch" the house (not covering it) and make sure that supporting plants do not compete for visual attention.

The Neglected Pathway: Forgetting the Transition from Outside to Inside

Many homes miss the zone between the sidewalk or street and the door of the house, although this area is ideal for creating an interesting visual journey into the house. Todd Hotchkiss suggests defining the transition space using a pergola, paving path, or shading plants so that guests feel invited to "enter" the house beautifully. Adding a transition element, instead of jumping directly from the street to the door, helps create a visual balance as well as more overall comfort.

Ignoring the Existing Architectural Character: Imposing a “New” Style

Good ideas sometimes can be damaging if they are not adjusted to the character of the house. Amanda Reynal reminds you to first recognize the existing architectural style such as Colonial, Tropical, Minimalist, or others before making updates.

For example: painting the whole house with a black-and-white combination of "modern farmhouse" even though the tropical-style house is simple, it looks like a style that is not natural and inconsistent.

The appearance of the exterior of the house is not about following the latest trends, but balancing the visual elements so that every part, from lights, materials, doors, landscapes, to the original architecture speaks in harmony. By avoiding the six mistakes above, you can ensure that the house looks not only attractive, but also reflects the aesthetic value and character of the owner. This is the secret to making your facade not just a display, but a visual work that is captivating.