While it’s easy to focus on the interior of your home when renovating or extending, an exterior makeover could in fact be the finishing touch that your home’s facade is crying out for.
And, with one of the benefits of an exterior makeover being that it’s not just limited to one style of home, whether you’re renovating a tired post-war, red-brick property with uPVC fascias and single-glazed windows, or a period building that’s been unsympathetically extended, there are a variety of techniques you can employ.
Only have a limited budget to spare? This doesn’t exclude you. There are also several low-cost exterior makeover design tricks you can use to ensure your home’s external makeover is still impactful, but kinder to your bank balance.
Start with an external audit of your home
Before diving into the more extensive exterior makeovers such as changing your external cladding, or upgrading your windows, it’s important to start with a full audit of the exterior of your home and your surrounding.
“Start by looking at your home holistically,” says managing director and principal designer at Back to Front Exterior Design, Alexandra Hull. “Before thinking about aesthetic upgrades, take a walk around the property and note any maintenance issues such as roofing, drainage, cracks, insulation gaps or weatherproofing, so they can be addressed as part of an overall scheme.
“Then, rather than asking yourself what you dislike, consider what would help the house function better and feel more balanced overall,” she suggests. "Seeking experienced professional advice is also the key to saving you a lot of time and money on unnecessary or ill-thought-out interventions that might not be suitable for your building," she adds.
Once you bring in an expert, you can then expect them to take not only the exterior of your house into account, but also the surrounding area.
“When approaching the exterior of a building with the intention of reimagining it, I begin by understanding its fundamentals, the bones of the structure, its proportions, massing, and overall rhythm,” says Lindsay Mattinson, principal architect and director at Mattinson Associates.
“From there, I study neighbouring buildings, where relevant, to derive appropriate geometries and scales, and undertake a detailed site analysis to determine where extensions should be located,” she explains.
“Guided by this analysis and the client’s intended direction, whether traditional or contemporary, I then block out the primary massing and establish the overall architectural language. By this stage, I will also have considered the wider context, which helps inform an early understanding of suitable materials and reinforces the design direction.”
If you’re planning on a large external makeover idea, it’s also important not to get bogged down with small details before you look at the bigger picture, recommends Lindsay.
“A common mistake is to focus too early on solving isolated issues, which often results in a piecemeal outcome. Starting with the bigger picture allows you to set a clear masterplan from the outset. Once this is in place, the design can be broken down into manageable parts and executed with confidence, avoiding unnecessary rework, compromised decisions, and significant wasted cost later on.”
Alexandra Hull is managing director and principal designer at Back to Front Exterior Design, a bespoke design house specialising in transforming tired houses into beautiful, welcoming family homes. With experience across hundreds of residential projects, she guides clients from early house-hunting advice through to full remodelling, offering a friendly, collaborative and highly tailored approach.
Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the industry and having delivered more than 300+ projects worldwide, Lindsay applies the same rigorous processes honed on large scale commercial projects to her boutique lifestyle commissions. Her approach ensures every bespoke project meets the highest standards of design, quality, and functionality, translating complex projects into carefully crafted, personal spaces that reflect lifestyle and aspirations.
Include energy efficiency measures where you can
Modernising or updating the exterior of your home isn’t just about the aesthetics though. Undertaking bigger projects such as adding new external cladding is also the perfect opportunity for upgrading the energy efficiency of your home - particularly if you are including heating upgrades such as switching to an air source heat pump.
“If scaffolding is going up, adding external insulation, upgrading glazing, improving roof insulation or installing solar panels becomes far more practical and cost-effective,” says Alexandra Hull. “These changes don’t just lower running costs – they make a home warmer, quieter and more comfortable to live in. Energy efficiency is increasingly expected in modern housing, so including it during exterior works is a sensible way to future-proof the property.
“Improving thermal performance will always deliver greater long-term value than cosmetic upgrades alone,” adds Lindsay Mattinson. “But, I personally recommend avoiding the use of spray foam insulation in any part of the property,” she says, “as it prevents the building from breathing and can lead to a range of costly issues over time.
“Equally important is attention to the building’s envelope,” she adds. “Any new external finish must be compatible with the existing wall construction. It should allow the building to breathe, be properly ventilated, and, where neighbouring buildings are concerned, comply with fire safety regulations. Getting these fundamentals right is critical to the long-term performance and safety of your home.”
As adding external insulation can change where and when the dew point (where moisture condenses) occur, every cladding system will be different and so you’ll need to engage with your supplier who’ll advise on the appropriate steps to take.
Exterior makeover options
While big changes will naturally have the most impact on your exterior makeover, if you only have a small budget allocated for this element of your home renovation costs, there are still some lower-price tickets available to you.
“Remodelling the exterior of your home is a spectrum, and small changes often deliver big impact,” says Alexandra Hull. “Something as simple as painting the front door, improving external lighting or tidying the garden can dramatically change how a home feels from the street."
“For mid-range upgrades, repainted facades, a new garage door or driveway improvements can go a long way, whilst larger projects such as changing the geometry of the building, building an extension, along with new cladding, windows or a roof upgrade can have a dramatic effect on the kerb appeal and functionality.”
Low cost: For a simple cost-effective fix, upgrade your front door
Even if you’ve spent a sizeable sum renovating your home inside, if the first impression of your home is a tired front door, it can form someone’s opinion on the rest of your home before they’ve even stepped foot inside.
Restoring your front door and painting it in a fresh new shade is one of the simplest exterior makeovers you can do, and one that doesn’t need professional help either.
“Your front door is part of the home’s kerb appeal and it’s amazing how a simple lick of paint can transform the look and feel of your home’s entrance,” confirms Victoria Yardley, founder of Victory Colours. “Front doors are all about making a statement, and if yours has seen better days, now is the time to revamp.”
According to Victoria, the best front door colours are the ones that work with your home’s character while offering a welcoming feel. “Classic navy is always a winner – it’s elegant, works with any style, and never looks dated,” she suggests. “Deep green shades such as heritage or olive green, are also a fantastic nod to nature and feel wonderfully grounding.
“If you want something soft yet stylish, muted sage green or warm clay tones create an inviting entrance without being overpowering. And of course, for that timeless touch, you can’t go wrong with a rich, black – it’s the little black dress of front doors!”
Or, perhaps your door has seen better days and not even a lick of paint will fix it, in which case you may be seeking new front door ideas, or considering replacing a uPVC door with a composite door – particularly if as previously mentioned, your door is letting heat escape. Even if you don’t replace it, make sure you check it doesn’t need any seals replacing or additional draught proofing measures added.
Victoria Yardley is the visionary behind Victory Colours. Their paints are proudly certified vegan and cruelty-free, ensuring no harm comes to animals in any stage of production or testing. Together, Victoria and her team are leading the way in sustainable, ethical manufacturing practices, proving that beauty and conscience can go hand in hand.
Low to mid cost: Replacing or changing rainwater goods
Another element you may look to update during an external makeover is old rainwater goods. The material you opt for will not only have an impact on aesthetics, but lifespan too, as Martin Bell, managing director of Transform Architects explains.
“Cast iron has an average lifespan of 50 years, PVCu 30 years, aluminium 40 years, zinc 50 years, and timber, depending on the species, will last on average for 40 years providing the timber has been maintained correctly.
“PVCu is of course the most cost-effective option, although it has a limited colour palette, while the more expensive options are aluminium, steel or zinc, but will give a much nicer finish to the house. Modern makeovers, as well as heritage dwellings, tend to go for these choices, unless replacing like for like, or if budget is an issue.”
For a low-cost upgrade you could also consider replacing your downpipes with rain chains, that offer a more decorative option for a practical task.
Mid range: Maybe your exterior could benefit from a new porch?
Have slightly more budget and think that it’s more about the placement of your door rather than how it looks? You’ll often find that older houses will have been subject to a number of extensions over the years and this can shift the balance of the property – the front door might no longer be centred, windows placement might be unsymmetrical and even the roofline might be jagged.
Adding a bolt-on addition, like a new porch, to emphasise the entrance is also a popular way of pin-pointing the front door. Always double check with your local authority first whether your proposed works can be done under permitted development or whether you need porch planning permission.
Mid range: Window upgrades can bring external and internal benefits
If you’re intending to give your exterior a facelift, the chances are you’ll be looking to replace or revamp your windows too – either on a like-for-like basis if you’re after a period-style look, or perhaps you’re trading in single-glazed or uPVC windows for contemporary powder-coated aluminium frames with acoustic or triple glazing.
Choosing the right style of windows for your exterior makeover project involves looking at all the different types of windows, frame colours and of course how much window costs will set you back.
But, in all instances, again check if you will need planning permission to do so. And, when replacing windows, make sure that your supplier is registered with Fensa, the window authority body. Not having the correct certification in place if you ever sell your home will be an issue and one you want to avoid.
Mid to high budget: If your roof is in need of repair, would it benefit from a complete overhaul?
If the problem with your current exterior lies with the roof, then whether you upgrade it or not may come down to need rather than want. If your roof is in a poor state of repair and at the end of its life, replacing the roof structure and/or adding a new roof covering will, of course, look more attractive but may well be a decision that’s out of your hands. If it’s leaking or unsafe, it will have to be an exterior makeover project you deliver on.
The downside to this will usually come down to new roof costs, which in some cases could make the difference between including a new high-end kitchen in your renovation plans, or even adding a small extension.
High cost: Change or replace your external cladding
One of the most transformative changes you can make to the exterior of your home is to add, replace or upgrade your external cladding. And, it can have additional benefits if your home renovation includes adding more space.
“If, as part of your remodel, you’re planning to add an extension, cladding the new and existing building in the same materials will make the whole property look singular and read as one,” notes Darren Bray, founder and director at Studio BAD.
But, as any exterior job is one that impacts the exterior of your home, your neighbours and the surrounding area, as well as taking up time and money, it’s important to make a number of checks before defining your final design brief.
Ask these questions before finalising your material choices
Will the materials suit the local vernacular?
“When selecting a palette of exterior materials, the key to success is understanding the building’s context,” explains Lindsay Mattinson. “ Look beyond the immediate neighbours and draw inspiration from the wider surroundings, then reinterpret those cues in a way that supports your building and the changes you’re making to it. Avoid simply copying what’s next door but also resist introducing materials that feel out of place or disconnected from their setting,” she advises.
Are they suitable for the local climate?
“When reinterpreting materials, we also consider finishes found in the surrounding landscape, not just those used on nearby buildings and structures. It’s then important to ensure the selected palette works harmoniously as a whole, with thoughtful detailing bringing the materials together and giving the design its coherence,” continues Lindsay.
And, if your location is rural or near the coast, don’t forget to take weather into account when choosing your finishes. Generous exterior makeovers will come at a cost, and you don’t want to be repeating that in a few years time because you made uninformed choices now.
“Studying existing materials and how they weather in their natural context will also offer valuable insight into their long-term performance,” she confirms. “Seeing how materials have aged in situ helps inform choices that will endure; finishes that will still look good in 25 years’ time and won’t demand constant maintenance.
Will the exterior makeover materials work together?
When it comes to combining materials, there are those that naturally sit well together and there are combinations which are best avoided, both for aesthetic and practical reasons – placing cedar above zinc for instance, as tannins in the timber can rot the zinc.
Similarly, clashing colours such as a red brick with the blues of zinc or slate can look jarring.
“Ideally, to keep it simple you should keep your palette to three materials: your primary material perhaps taking up 70% of the façade, your secondary material taking up the remainder of the cladding ratio, and then your third material might be for the details,” advises Andy Ramus founder and director of AR Design Studio.
And finally, make sure you are clear on if there are any distinctions between how you will approach the both the front and the rear of your property. Creating kerb appeal and ensuring the house fits within the streetscape will be priorities for the front elevation, while the rear will be all about the connection between the interior spaces and the garden.
Pros and cons of an external makeover
While working outside your home, rather than renovating the inside may seem like a less disruptive makeover, upgrading, changing or improving the exterior of your home isn’t without its pros and cons.
On the plus side, “an exterior makeover can strengthen kerb appeal, improve protection from the weather, reduce maintenance and give a renewed sense of pride in your home,” explains Alexandra Hull.
“It’s easy to forget, when a neighbour undertakes work on their home, that the benefits also often extend beyond the individual property,” adds Lindsay Mattinson. “Improving one house can enhance the character and feel of an entire neighbourhood, adding value not just for the owner but for those around them as well.”
“The downsides on the other hand are largely practical: cost, disruption and the pressure of making big decisions,” notes Alexandra Hull. “However, with realistic expectations and good planning, the long-term benefits tend to outweigh the short-term inconvenience. Viewing the project as a long-term investment rather than a quick cosmetic fix helps keep the experience grounded and manageable.”
For these reasons, we also strongly recommend engaging an architect where budgets allow, notes Lindsay. “An architect brings invaluable expertise to the process, helping to guide decisions, manage complexity, and ultimately deliver a home that justifies the time, effort, and investment involved.
“Equally important is the choice of builder,” she advises. “Working with a trusted and experienced contractor even if their quote is higher, can significantly reduce risk and anxiety. A well-executed build, with proper attention to detail, far outweighs the ongoing cost and frustration of repeatedly fixing work that should have been done correctly in the first place.
“With construction costs in the UK at an all-time high, our advice is simple: if you choose to build, do it properly, and do it with skilled professionals who know what they are doing,” says Lindsay. “In the long run, the results will speak for themselves and the investment will be worth it.”
FAQs
How much will an exterior makeover cost?
“Budgets for external makeovers vary widely depending on the scope of work,” says Lindsay Mattinson. “Replacing doors and windows, enlarging openings, upgrading external materials, and improving insulation is a very different undertaking from simply applying a fresh coat of paint and adding shutters.
“We recommend consulting a professional early in the process. This ensures your brief is fully understood and allows budgets to be defined more accurately, helping you plan with confidence,” she suggests.
How much value will an exterior makeover add to your home?
With budgets for exterior makeovers being so wide, while adding a coat of paint won't necessarily make you feel that you need a payback in the future, some of the larger ticket items could. So how much value will an exterior makeover add? And, is it always monetary or could there be other value too?
“A well-planned exterior makeover almost always improves how a property is perceived. Buyers respond positively to homes that look cared for and visible upgrades suggest good maintenance behind the scenes,” says Alexandra Hull.
“Addressing neglect, updating dated features and improving performance can significantly strengthen saleability. Even modest improvements can shift first impressions, and in property terms that early emotional response often translates into real financial value,” she adds.
“The right approach to adding value to your home with an external makeover depends heavily on your budget, the team you engage, the extent of the work, and the overall outcome you are aiming for,” expands Lindsay Mattinson.
“In some cases, it may be more effective to improve the appearance of your home by leaving the external fabric largely untouched and focusing instead on the surrounding landscape.
Thoughtful landscaping can dramatically change how a building is perceived. A well-designed garden can create visual breaks, frame views, and subtly segment the building so the eye reads it in a more considered and appealing way.
“When re-inventing a home, we believe it’s essential to look beyond the building fabric alone,” she advises. “The relationship between the interiors and the surrounding landscape should form part of the same design conversation, working together to shape how the home is experienced as a whole.”
In summary, our experts share their final advice if you’re planning an exterior makeover.
“Look to tailor aesthetic improvements specifically to the property, making it the best version of itself, rather than trying to mould it into something it doesn’t naturally lend itself to,” says Alexandra Hull. “Choose quality materials and avoid overly trend led styles, so the result is a timeless home that will stand the test of time.”
“Always check whether your property or location requires planning permission, listed building consent, or building regulations approval,” continues Lindsay Mattinson. “Understanding these requirements upfront can save time, cost, and frustration later.
“Next, engage a skilled professional, she reiterates. “The value they bring to a project is tangible and often measurable. For complex projects, involve them throughout the entire process. If your budget is more limited, consider commissioning an overall masterplan from someone experienced, then manage the execution yourself with that clear framework in place.”
