There’s something about the first warm weekend of the year that makes you look at your house and think, “Huh. Did it always look this… beige?” Maybe it’s the sunlight suddenly revealing the spiderwebs under the eaves, or maybe it’s that your neighbour across the road has hung fairy lights on their porch and now their home looks like a Pinterest board, while yours still screams “pre-reno 1992.”
Either way, summer has a way of pulling our attention outdoors. And once the kids are flinging water balloons across the lawn and dragging grass clippings through the hallway, it’s hard not to dream of a fresh, happy, summer-ready exterior. Not showroom perfection—but something that feels warm, welcoming, and like the kind of place where you’d happily sip lemonade barefoot at dusk.
I’m not here to suggest knocking down walls or hiring a designer named Sven. These ideas are for real family homes—the red-brick bungalows, the half-painted ranches, the flats with quirky front porches and mismatched pots. Let’s bring some joy to those facades with a bit of paint, texture, colour, and charm… and maybe cover up that one weird patch the builders never fixed. Ready?
Could Your Brick Use a Summer Refresh? Here’s Where to Start
Let’s talk about brick. Classic, dependable, and—if I’m being honest—often a bit… tired. Especially after a long winter of grey skies and soggy footprints. But don’t worry—you don’t need to obliterate your brick to give it a new lease of life. Sometimes all it needs is a gentle nudge into summer.
If you’ve got red or orange brick that’s seen better days, consider limewashing or whitewashing. Both techniques soften the look without completely hiding the original texture. It’s like giving your house a vintage linen dress—light, breathable, and still full of character. I once helped a friend limewash her 80s red brick ranch, and it went from “council car park chic” to “Tuscan sun, but make it suburban” in an afternoon.
If you’re not quite ready to commit, painting just the trim or updating the gutters and eaves in a fresh white or coastal blue can do wonders. Add in a few potted plants along the base or window boxes brimming with trailing summer flowers, and you’ve created something joyful and seasonal with minimal effort.
It’s not about erasing your home’s story. It’s about letting it stretch out in the sunshine, with maybe a bit of SPF and some fresh lippy.
Simple Paint Ideas That Add Instant Curb Appeal Without the Stress
The phrase “exterior colour scheme” sounds like something that involves mood boards and many hours in a hardware store. But the truth? You don’t need a full redesign—just a few thoughtful touches can totally shift the mood of your home.
Repainting your front door is the easiest win in the book. Go for something summery but grounded—a soft sage, a dusty coral, a deep blue with green undertones. It doesn’t need to scream “look at me” to feel fresh. Pair it with neutral trim (off-white, light grey) and suddenly your entry looks intentional, like it belongs in one of those cheerful summer interiors magazines… without the staged children and suspiciously white furniture.
Even something like repainting your porch railings or mailbox can give your home a tidy, loved look. Add house numbers in a new font, install a quirky but simple light fixture, and your home instantly feels more put together. It’s like giving your house a haircut and clean socks—it might still be the same underneath, but it feels way more presentable.
And the best part? You can do most of it over a sunny weekend, with a paintbrush in one hand and an ice lolly in the other.
Flat Fronted and Feeling Forgotten? Try These Easy Updates
Flat-fronted houses get a bit of a bad rep. People think they’re boring or hard to style—but I like to think of them as a blank canvas. There’s no weird angles or wonky corners to work around. You’ve got space to play with—so let’s get clever.
Start by creating depth. A trellis with climbing jasmine or clematis can make a huge difference, even on a smaller wall. Paint the trellis a soft green or blue and let nature do the styling. Add a porch awning or hang a simple fabric canopy to bring in shade and shape. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just something that adds softness and a sense of layering.
If you’ve got windows facing the street, consider window boxes or small built-out shutters. Even if they’re not functional, they add charm and definition. And don’t forget the ground level—a simple pebble garden or brick edging along the front gives your home a sense of polish.
Lighting is your best friend here too. Go for warm-toned outdoor lights near the door or motion-activated solar lamps along the garden path. Everything looks better with a bit of glow, especially when you’re coming home after a long day of chaos.
Modern Farmhouse Energy, But With Flip-Flops on the Porch
The modern farmhouse trend is everywhere—and honestly, I get it. It’s clean, calming, and makes your home look like it bakes sourdough on the weekends. But if you live in a normal house with kids, clutter, and compost bins, the trick is taking the essence of the style without trying to pretend you live in a Pinterest board.
Painted brick is a great starting point—soft whites or warm greiges work beautifully. Add matte black light fixtures and window trim for contrast. Cedar or oak touches (a new door, porch posts, or planter boxes) warm things up and give that handcrafted feel. Bonus points if you use reclaimed wood or thrifted finds that look like they’ve got a story.
And don’t skip the front garden. Think neat but natural: a few grasses, native plants, or even herbs in simple raised beds. They’ll give your exterior that “we definitely grow our own thyme” vibe—even if your thyme died last year and you’ve replaced it with mint from Tesco.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s personality. A little neat, a little wild. Like your life… but with prettier lighting.
How to Brighten a Bungalow Exterior Without Losing Its Soul
Bungalows have a soft spot in my heart. They’re usually full of charm, but after a few decades of being battered by the elements (and possibly painted in that unfortunate shade of biscuit beige), they can look a bit weary. The good news? They wear makeovers well—and they don’t need much to feel cheerful again.
Start with paint. A fresh coat in a warm neutral or even a soft pastel can instantly lift things. Think buttery cream, sage green, or a washed-out peach. It doesn’t need to be loud—it just needs to feel alive. If your bungalow has brickwork, consider a partial whitewash to lighten the look while keeping texture.
One of the best ways to lift a bungalow is with accents. Update the mailbox, add a cottage-style lantern by the door, and plant something bold in front—like hollyhocks or roses that bloom up and around windows. Add a little bench (thrifted, chipped paint encouraged) and suddenly your home looks like it belongs in a spring garden storybook.
And if you’re feeling brave, add a pop of colour. A mustard yellow door. Aqua window trim. Something that makes the postie smile. Because summer isn’t beige—it’s a bit cheeky, a bit bright, and full of personality.
Whitewash, Soft Green, or Clay? Summer Colour Schemes That Work
Summer colours aren’t about being loud—they’re about lifting your home into something that feels fresh and breathable. I’m not saying you have to paint your entire house lemon sorbet, but a good colour scheme can completely change the energy of your exterior.
Whitewashing brick is a classic for a reason. It softens, blends, and lets your plants do the showing off. If you’ve got lots of greenery or a garden full of colour, a creamy white exterior lets it all shine. Add a terracotta pot or two, and you’re basically halfway to Provence.
Soft greens are another summer winner—especially for cottage-style homes or places surrounded by trees. Sage, eucalyptus, or even pale olive feels calming and grounded. Pair with soft grey or warm cream accents for a quiet harmony.
Clay and coral tones are underrated gems. A dusty pink door, a pale clay trim, or even blush-painted shutters make your home feel warm and welcoming without shouting. These colours also photograph beautifully at golden hour (which is very important if, like me, you enjoy photographing your home when the kids aren’t around to leave their scooters in shot).
Pick colours that work with your lifestyle, your light, and your favourite mug. That’s the only colour test that really matters.
How to Turn an “Ugly House” Exterior Into a Cottagecore Summer Dream
We’ve all seen them—those houses that look a little unloved from the outside. Maybe it’s mismatched cladding, tired old siding, or a brick extension that doesn’t quite match. But you know what? With the right touches, even the most awkward exteriors can feel full of charm.
Start by softening the hard edges. Add greenery wherever you can—climbing plants, window boxes, or even a little front garden border filled with herbs and flowers. It creates movement and a sense of care. Even a quirky house looks intentional with enough hollyhocks and trailing vines.
Next, work with what you’ve got. If you’ve got half brick and half siding, try painting the siding to match the tone of the brick or whitewashing the brick to blend better. Update door hardware, add a fun post box, and don’t forget a flag or bunting—something that says, “Yes, this house has personality.”
The key to cottagecore is texture and whimsy. Use reclaimed wood, mismatched pots, and handmade signs. Add fairy lights if you must (I must). And remember, the goal isn’t to erase the oddness—it’s to make it feel loved and lived in.
Before and After: Realistic Exterior Makeovers That Families Can Actually Do
I love a dramatic before-and-after as much as the next person—but let’s be honest, most of us aren’t knocking out walls or hiring an architect. These are the kinds of makeovers that start with a Saturday trip to the DIY shop, not a planning permit.
Maybe you start by repainting the front door. Then you move onto the trim. Then you convince your partner to let you try a limewash on that one weird brick wall. Before you know it, your house feels different—lighter, happier, more you.
I’ve seen families repaint siding with leftover garden paint. I’ve seen porches dressed up with skip-find benches and a few fairy lights. I’ve seen tired old bungalows turned into summer storybooks with nothing but elbow grease and clever colour choices.
If your house feels tired, don’t wait for a full renovation. Start where you are. Paint one thing. Plant one thing. Swap out a lightbulb. It all adds up. And before you know it, your neighbours are asking what you’ve done differently, and your home is glowing under that summer sun—quirks and all.
Conclusion – Because Every Brick Deserves a Bit of Summer Joy
Here’s the thing—your home doesn’t need to be picture-perfect to feel special. It doesn’t need a full-on renovation, or a mood board named “Coastal Luxe with Whimsical Florals.” Sometimes all it needs is a coat of paint that actually dries in one go, a potted plant that doesn’t die in a week, and a front step that feels like you.
Summer’s the season when homes come alive. The windows stay open longer, the postie actually smiles, and there’s chalk dust permanently smudged into the porch. And in the middle of it all is your house—doing its best to hold everyone together. So why not give it a little love?
Start small. A fresh trim colour. A cheeky new doormat. Some bunting that may or may not survive the next thunderstorm. Because every little detail adds up to something bigger—a house that feels lived in, looked after, and quietly beautiful in its own messy, real-life way.
And if all else fails? Hang a string of fairy lights and call it a day. Works for me every time.