Curb appeal may start at the front door, but it doesn’t end there. Today’s homeowners are increasingly looking beyond the façade, recognizing that the side and rear yards play an equally important role in a home’s overall look and feel. By treating the entire perimeter — front, sides, and back—as part of a cohesive exterior design, homeowners can create a more harmonious, polished impression from every angle.

The Entire Home’s Perimeter Matters in Total Exterior Design

While the front facade of a home serves to introduce the home, the sides and back help to define the home’s full personality. Passers-by, neighbors, and visitors alike will view the side gate, rear fence, or pergola of a home, and this will influence how they perceive the home and property as a whole. In addition, the majority of family time spent outside occurs in the side and rear yards of a home, be it by a pool, patio, or garden; thus, it makes sense to intentionally include these areas in the overall design process of a home.

Total exterior design is about creating a sense of total completion. Similar to the fact that different interior design elements can detract from the feel of an open floor plan, uncoordinated exterior design elements, such as different materials or poor condition of the boundary, can also create a disjointed visual flow. This type of design coordination provides a clear and consistent visual expression of the home’s architectural intent while supporting long-term value of the property.

Careful Coordination of Materials and Style

When selecting materials for the exterior of a home, you need to have continuity of materials in mind. For example, if a home’s front elevation has stone or brick detailing, it would be wise to carry those details through to the backyard seating area, fence posts, or retaining walls. Conversely, for homes with clean and modern lines, simple fencing and matte finished pergolas tend to provide a nice backdrop to enhance the clean look of the home without adding distractions.

Color consistency is very important when coordinating the overall appearance of a home’s exterior. Although features such as a side gate or a rear structure may not always be immediately visible to everyone, incorporating those features into the overall color palette will help avoid any abrupt changes in tone or finish. When possible, choose materials that last and do not fade quickly, such as powder-coated metal, composite wood, or pressure-treated wood, which can be sealed to maintain its color.

Lighting is often an afterthought, but it is a crucial element that helps connect and unify the side and rear areas of a home’s exterior. By using the same lighting fixtures throughout your outdoor spaces, you will tie together walkways, patios, and entry and exit points into a single cohesive outdoor living space.

Utilize Skilled Local Fabricators

Carrying out a total exterior design program is greatly enhanced by working with local fabricators and contractors who are familiar with the region’s available materials, climate, and construction methods. The local contractor understands what types of products will perform best in the area in terms of durability, wind resistance, and can therefore help guide the homeowner towards an effective solution that meets their needs and budget.

Companies like Texas Patio & Fence Co. are great examples of skilled local fabricators that specialize in designing and building backyard and side yard projects that are specifically designed to complement and match existing home exteriors. When hiring a local contractor who has extensive knowledge of local building codes and residential design trends, you will be able to rest assured that the final product will appear and function naturally over the long term.

Your curb appeal doesn’t stop once you leave the driveway. Taking into account the full extent of your home’s exterior, you will add dimension and complexity to your home’s design. With careful consideration of material coordination and the selection of the right team to execute your project, you will be able to create an exterior space that appears polished from all angles.