Hardscaping 101: Exteriors & Facades
Your house shows its personality—and yours—to the world every day.
Curb appeal depends on choosing the exterior elements, from paint colors to roof tiles to house numbers, that will complement both the architecture of a house and the hardscape features in a garden.
In our Design Guides we’ve studied all the exterior elements you will need to create a pleasing palette for your home’s facade. Our editors have investigated roof materials (from slate to clay tile), entryway hardware (from doorbell buttons to knockers), window details (from steel-frame factory units to wooden shutters), and exterior paint (with suggestions for body and trim colors that marry well). We’ve also rounded up our favorite outdoor accessories, from mailboxes to doormats, to help you design a facade that says “welcome” every time you return home.