SPRUCING UP EXTERNALS

Sprucing Up Externals

Are you considering selling a property you own? They say ‘sex sells’ but ‘they’ obviously don’t work in property. What really wins buyers over is kerb appeal. Whether it’s an online listing or glossy brochure, the exterior of a property is almost always the lead photo used by estate agents – and a home’s façade is the first thing a potential purchaser will see when they arrive for a viewing.

Quite often, however, there is a disparity between the luxury interior designs that lie within and the outside of a property – and that needs addressing or people will judge a book by its cover. While the internet is full of advice on adding hanging baskets and hiding recycling boxes when creating kerb appeal, the advice often glosses over the more involved projects that will really add value and make a difference. 

Projects that can add those magic ingredients and attract potential buyers include:

• Adding off street parking

• Stripping off unattractive cladding or plaster 

• Replacing inauthentic uPVC windows and doors

• Repairing and restoring period features, such as columns, tiles and stained glass

• Landscaping the front garden

Here’s some advice from our interior design studio in London:-

Call in the professionals 

Interior designers are just as able to work their magic outside as they are in. Their skills lie in sourcing reliable trades; specifying improvements that will complement the property and its London locale; scheduling work; ensuring sites are kept tidy, and managing projects so they’re finished on time and without upsetting the neighbours. For instance, the Rudolph Diesel team offers architectural design and project management services alongside our designer interior packages, with our eye for detail ensuring your home stands out from the crowd.

Be mindful of restrictions

Interior architects in London will be familiar with homes that have listed status and those that are in Conservation Areas – all of which can influence what can and, crucially, what can’t be done to a property’s exterior. You may be limited to what masonry paint colours you can use and whether it’s possible to create a drop kerb and driveway, for instance.

Use tech to plan your project

Overhauling your exterior is a major commitment and any mistakes can prove costly. At Rudolph Diesel, we use computer generated images to show clients what the end result will look like before they go ahead with the project. It’s much easier – and more prudent - to change window styles and front doors on screen than after they have been installed.

Don’t forget finishing touches

Any ironwork, such as fencing and handrails, should ideally be freshly painted in black for a crisp, classic look, while a sensor light at the front door is practical as well as pretty. Door furniture – yes, such a thing exists in the world of luxury interior design – is an exterior flourish that shows a property owner really cares. As such, a new letterbox, door number and knocker – polished to perfection - is an easy win. 

If your property exterior could do with a lift, whether that’s new windows, the addition of a porch, repainting or garden landscaping – contact Rudolph Diesel for a complete design and project management solution.

Feel free to get in touch to discuss your project.