Hello World! Welcome Friends! With the rising trend of tiny houses (they come on wheels and even have their own TV show now) and viral videos of small interiors (things that move and stack and everything!) that have swept across the internet, it is no bold statement to say that small things are a very big deal these days. With all of those great ideas out there, it is very easy to get caught up in the slew of online inspiration. Before you know it, you’ll be thinking and rethinking your small-space remodeling project every time you open a new tab on your internet browser. There are always new space saving shelves, nesting utensils, and impressive feats of home engineering to be considered.
Source: HGTV
With all of the attention that the inside of a small space receives, it is interesting to realize just how little thought most people wind up putting into what goes on the outside of their homes. It is surprising that so little attention is paid to the outside of a home, particularly considering that the outside is all that most people will ever see. When it comes to your exterior, you will want to make sure that it is not only well-built but also aesthetically pleasing and on brand with your overall aesthetic and the personality of your home. There is a lot of information out there on different types of siding, but few give attention to the particular considerations of exteriors on the outside of a small home. The rules for curating appearance are different when the dimensions have been reduced.
We brought in our friends from Siding Vancouver to give us some things to think about when it comes to small-space exteriors.
Consider Scale
One of the first things that you will want to keep in mind when considering exterior options for your small home is exactly that—it is a small home. Whether you have chosen to go the full tiny house route or are looking at a modest downsize, the scale of your exterior will have to be considered. When the overall surface area is decreased, the proportion that each section of siding will take up increases. A typical siding board, for example, runs around six inches tall when the board is placed horizontally, parallel to the ground. On a 12 foot tiny house, this board will take up about 1/24th of the overall height. On a 15 foot single story, that same board will take up only 1/30th of the overall height. It may sound like a minor difference, but these small shifts can add up to create a very different look. You will want to keep this in mind as you shop for exterior materials, and you may want to look out for smaller scale versions of your favorite products. Slimmer boards and miniature shingles can bring everything down to scale if you don’t prefer the unusual proportions.
Cater to Your Aesthetic
There are many different ways to style a small space. While a large number of these homes do tend toward the minimalistic, Scandinavian aesthetic, this style is certainly not the only option available. Small spaces have a strong tradition of romantic and cottage aesthetics as well, and trying out something new is always a welcome idea. When you are styling a small space, the cohesion of your overall aesthetic is particularly important. You want the outside and inside of your home to feel like they go together, as there is such little perceptive and physical distance between them. If you are going for a modern interior, you may want to consider sleek wood panels or metal siding. A more traditional look can be achieved with natural wood shingles. All of the good things on the inside of your home, regardless of the adjectives and style categories that describe them, need to translate to the outside of the home as well.
Source: GMF + Associates
Try Something Different
One of the major advantages of having a small space to remodel is that you rarely have to buy large quantities of any particular material. Since you will only need to purchase a few of any given item, you may be able to afford a small amount or a few pieces of an expensive product that would be cost prohibitive if you had to cover larger areas of square footage with it. This lends a unique opportunity to try out novelty materials or unique items. You might consider installing something like carved cedar paneling or intricately painted boards. With a small space to work on, you can make your home into a piece of art and not pay an exorbitant price for it. With a small scale exterior project, the budget can be small scale too. Your dollars will stretch much further when they only have to cover a small space.
Play With Color
Another advantage of having a small space and relatively little square footage to work with is that you can go a little bit crazy with your colors. Bright and attention-grabbing hues that would be overwhelming on a larger home can be a lovely pop of color for you. Don’t shy away from looking into colors that you might not normally consider—primary shades like red and blue, as well as pastels and jewel tones that aren’t often seen. You will want to put some good thought into your shade selection before you order your siding. While you can put a coat of paint on after you’ve installed your siding, it is much more cost effective and long-lasting to order siding that is pre-colored. One of the best materials for this is vinyl siding. Thanks to its synthetic nature, vinyl’s fabrication process allows the pigment to be spread throughout the board. This means that it can be manufactured in just about any color and that it will retain this color even if the boards are damaged. If you scratch off the top layer of a bright purple vinyl board, there will be that exact same shade of purple beneath it.
Click the links below for any posts you may have missed!
The Sunday Showcase from Make it Pretty Monday
Hurricane Harvey & the New Norm
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Toodles,
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