If you’re looking to sell your home in 2020, you need to give your exterior some extra attention. More and more homebuyers are relying on online property photos in the wake of Covid-19 instead of in-person viewings to narrow down their top houses. What this means for you is that your house needs to photograph well. 

Here are several exterior trends for 2020 that look great in property photos and are sure to get you more inquiries and higher price points.

Trend #1: Board and Batten Vertical Siding

Board and batten has historically been done inside the home and on barn exteriors, but it’s making big waves on home exteriors, nowadays. It’s a paneling style that combines vertical planks (called board) and narrow strips (called batten) to create a rustic look with a modern twist.

While generally done with wood, you can use cheaper alternatives like vinyl, and get the same look. So, wood vs vinyl siding? With the board and batten style, you can use whichever materials fit within your budget and the exterior home color combination options are almost endless.

Trend #2: Bold Color Choices

This year expect an upswing in darker colors for the home exterior. It’s not only trendy but darker colors photograph really well. Overall, expect to see more blues, blacks, browns, and greys. There are also some greens and deep mahogany shades making an appearance.

To complement these darker colors, you’ll need to pick a complementary siding. Natural stone is always a superb choice, but the maintenance and upkeep required for exterior masonry could deter onlookers. That’s why fiber cement siding seems to be picking up steam this year. It’s a stellar alternative to natural stone.

Trend #3: Natural Wood and Metal

These two materials are making significant waves in 2020. Don’t use them together, though. They’re for very different design aesthetics. Natural wood has taken the design industry by storm, both as an interior and exterior material. You can use it on your home for siding, shingles, and more. Or, if you don’t want to commit to that much wood, you can incorporate a large wooden garage door, a wood fence, or a swoon-worthy wooden porch.

While wood is full of rustic, natural charm, metal evokes a futuristic modernity. Plus, it’s recyclable and durable.  Expect to see more metal roofs and metal siding in 2020. Metal photographs well, too, making it a top material choice for 2020.

Trend #4: Innovative Roofing Products

This is the year to look into asphalt shingle alternatives. Dark-colored roofs are out, and light-colored roofs are in. Like we already mentioned, metal is a trendy roofing material this year, and so is cool roofing. Both help with energy-efficiency by reflecting the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them.

Eco-conscious is trendy in 2020, which is why solar panels and green roofs are also on the rise. Also, we expect to see more synthetic roofing materials being used. Homeowners are moving away from high-maintenance materials since the synthetic alternatives are looking more and more realistic.

Trend #5: Contrast

In addition to dark colors being in style, color contrast is a significant part of exterior design in 2020. Black is making a push as an accent color this year. You’ll see plenty of homes pop up with black accent walls, trim, doors, and siding.

There’s also the opposite happening. Pairing the trendy dark colors with a stark white accent can be striking. Trendy homeowners are painting their houses deep shades and then using a white frieze board trim to highlight the contrast.

Trend #6: Large Driveways and Big Porches

Expect an emphasis on driveways and porches this year. More and more people are prioritizing outdoor time. Front porches are no longer a dated feature but, instead, a sought after one.

Larger driveways are increasing in popularity thanks to larger vehicles and the fact that people want to spend less time landscaping. Both driveways and porches increase curb appeal both in person and through pictures.

Jump on These 2020 Trends

These are trends you should expect to see more of this year. They all look fantastic both in real-life and in property photos. Whether you’re looking to list your home, increase property value, or just spice up your exterior space, these six trends are a surefire way to do it.

Remember, at the end of the day, trends come and go. Listen to your gut, and if there’s a trend you aren’t sold on, don’t do it.