Curb appeal is a key consideration. It is one of the main factors that many people consider when deciding on a home to buy and one of the primary concerns of any home seller. Even if you plan to live in your current home for the foreseeable future, it is highly likely that you would prefer living in one that’s beautiful both outside and inside. The Perfect Shutters-
To have a good understanding of how curb appeal works, you need to note that the concept depends on several different factors working together.Â
All the exterior design elements of the home should ideally exist in harmony and complement each other. From the paint color to the exterior stone and brick, to the roofing and landscaping options, your home’s curb appeal includes the overall effect of all your exterior choices i.e. The Perfect Shutters.
Use The Perfect Shutters to Enhance Your Curb Appeal
If you would like to enhance your home’s curb appeal, there are virtually endless projects that can be undertaken to clean up and add visual interest to your home. Still, probably none of them can match the impact that adding exterior shutters has on your windows.
If executed well, bespoke shutters will allow you to play up color choices that you have made for the exterior, emphasize your home’s period-specific design elements, and add an overall boost to your curb appeal and dramatic impact.
Shutters can also be relatively inexpensive compared to the other exterior projects, but this depends on the material and size. So, how do you determine which colors, materials, and shapes are right for you? We have compiled a handy list of tips to help in your selection:
- Consider the Silhouette
Five major types of The Perfect Shutters are available, and each has a distinctive look that pairs perfectly with certain types of homes:
– Raised Panel Shutters: Look like the cabinet drawers and doors you ill find in most homes. This clean, simple style perfectly pairs with cottage style or country style homes.
– Louvered Shutters: Comprising of several slats that are angled to allow both light and air to pass through. You will commonly find them on many types of homes, but they pair perfectly with traditional and Victorian homes.
– Shaker Shutters: With regards to simplicity, they resemble raised panel shutters, but have flat, solid panels. They pair perfectly with just about any home, but you will often find them on modern or cottage style homes.
– Bahama and Bermuda Shutters: You will often find this type of louvered shutter in tropical and coastal areas. They attach to the window at the top rather than at the sides.
– Board and Batten Style Shutters: Comprising of 3 to 4 boards held together with an angled or horizontal board known as a batten. They pair perfectly with simpler stone and brick homes or farm homes.
- Choose Your Style
Take a short drive around your neighborhood noting the different styles of homes and the shutter styles that are paired along with them. It is important for you to pick a shutter style that’s not only compatible with the architectural style of your home but also meshes perfectly with other houses in the neighborhood.
You should also consider the geometry of your home. If you have rounded or arched windows, arched shutters will pair best; if you have rectangular or square windows, you should ideally choose a shutter style with straight lines.
- Get the Sizing Right
The shutters should align with the length of your windows’ trim and comprise about a quarter or a third of the width of your window. When measuring for width, consider the spaces between the windows – you don’t want the shutters touching or overlapping. All the shutters on your home, no matter the height of the window, should be of similar width.
- Material Selection
Depending on the existing materials that you have covering your home, it is important to choose a complementary material for the shutters. Furthermore, you will have to consider your ideal price point and willingness to dedicate both energy and time to maintaining your shutters, then choose a material that corresponds to your needs. Shutters typically come in 3 different materials:
– Wood Shutters: Are the traditional choice and therefore work well with most home exteriors. Still, you should remember that wood shutters generally age faster than other types of shutters and will require sealing each year to preserve their beauty.
– Vinyl Shutters: Are a popular, inexpensive option that pairs perfectly with most exteriors and are also resistant to fading, weathering, rotting, splitting, and cracking. For a slightly upgraded look, you can choose a wood-grain.
– Composite Shutters: Look and feel like wood, but are far cheaper and more durable than wood. They almost have the durability of vinyl shutters and come in a wide range of finishes and types.
- Consider the Color Scheme of Your Home
Shutters are an exterior window accessory meant to stand out slightly from the house itself. You should choose a color that contrasts with the color of your home. For instance, black shutters can provide a nice, elegant contrast if your home is white. If you find direct contrast a bit too bold for you, consider getting shutters in the same color family as your home, but several shades lighter or darker.
- Choose a Pop of Color
If you prefer to make a bold statement, you should choose a bright color that stands out from the rest of the exterior of your home. To ensure cohesion between your choice of shutter and the existing exterior, pick a color from the landscaping or other element such as trim or stonework. You can then make the shutters brighter and bolder by choosing a contrasting color or a color in the same color family as your source of inspiration.
- Consider a Fun Detail
Once you have chosen the significant elements of your home’s shutters, you need to consider the smaller details. Shutter hardware such as closures, decorative hinges, shutter dogs (intended to hold the shutters closed), and many others can exist in various metal finishes and add interest to the shutters. In similar fashion, custom stencils, cutouts, or contrasting panels can help in transforming the shutters from basic to beautiful.
