Homeowners who want to carry out DIY projects on the front of their home should make sure they see the bigger picture, an expert warns.
Whether or not the property is in a conservation area should not make a difference when people complete outdoor improvements – the look of the whole street should be considered.
Remembering that any individual DIY decisions can affect the street scene is important to ensuring projects complement the surrounding area.
Melanie Griffiths, assistant editor of Homebuilding and Renovating magazine, said that design is not subjective and therefore people should take care when making exterior home improvements.
“The inside can be redecorated and is easy to see as a blank canvas by potential future occupiers, but many cannot look beyond a bad exterior,” she said.
Often people fail to see the bigger picture when they make home improvement decisions that alter the outside of a property, she said.
Research released earlier this year by AA Personal Loans indicated that some 24 per cent of all properties undergoing renovation may see an extra room added – something that may alter the appearance of a home from the outside.