If you’re looking to highlight different areas of your home exterior, mixing materials is ideal as it adds dimension and character. The right combination of materials will elevate your exterior, highlighting its best features and adding visual appeal in all the right places. Mixing materials such as wood, metal, stone, fiber cement and brick will give your exterior a varied palette, creating interest and beauty all at once. There are many benefits of mixing materials, from minimizing more expensive materials to using more durable materials for areas that receive more wear and tear. Here are the best ways to mix exterior materials.
1. A Traditional Mix
If you love the idea of mixing materials but don’t want to do too much, try a more traditional look by combining only a small portion of materials on your home. If the majority of your exterior is covered in vinyl siding, consider adding stone (or faux stone) around the entryway, at the base of your home or around columns. This will create dimension and texture in the most subtle yet gorgeous way.
2. An Industrial Vibe
Many homeowners are drawn to a more industrial look for their home, especially if they live in the city. To create an industrial vibe, mix materials such as wood, steel and brick together in one area. It pairs perfectly with contemporary design, resulting in a modern home that’s sure to make a statement.
3. Wood Accents
If your home is predominantly covered in contemporary or industrial-looking siding, add some warmth to your facade with wood accents. Use wood to create accents around your doors and windows, creating an inviting appearance and ensuring your exterior doesn’t look too cold or sterile.
4. Traditional Mixed with Rustic
Traditional and rustic styles mix well together. If you love the look of a traditional brick home but are also partial to a rustic cabin vibe, you can mix materials to get the best of both worlds. Combine formal brick with rustic stone, timber and stucco for a unique look that perfectly suits your design taste.
5. Complementing Colors
When it comes to mixing different exterior materials, ensure your home looks coordinated by using complementing colors. Since it covers the most surface area, choose your siding color first, then look for stone or brick a few shades lighter or darker. This creates just enough contrast to please the eye, but not enough to confuse it. Think gray-blue siding paired with gray stone or white siding with natural, creamy-colored stone.
6. Two-Tone Siding
Two-tone siding is one of the most popular ways to mix materials. You can mix siding types, colors and sizes to create a dynamic look. Use a light-colored siding on the upper portion of your home, and contrast it with a warm-colored siding below. Different sizes and types of siding can be used to create a stunning contemporary look!
Mixing materials is a great way to elevate your home and show off your favorite features! Use our tips to master the mixing of exterior materials.