French country inspired homes are beautiful and classic, but if you have an existing home or you are building a new home, you may be wondering how on earth you will achieve that ultimate look. While you can hire a designer to help you get this look on the interior of your home, you may be able to get away with contracting things out yourself for the outside of your home, which can save you money and help you use your creativity at the same time.

Start with the Roof

Your roofline is going to be one of the most impactful things when you are designing the exterior of your home. When meeting with a roofer, you will want to go over several design options with them including pitching your roof and adding dormers. A combination of these things will help add character and definition to your home.

Not only will you want to have a large pitch but you may want to add some smaller pitches at different elevations as well to add a little bit more structural appeal. Then, to top everything off, make sure that your roofer adds dormers (windows that jet out of the roofline). Depending on the size of your home, you may only want to add two dormers or you may be able to get away with adding several more. 

Another thing to talk to your roofer about is the type of shingle that you go with. If you have it in your budget, choosing wood shingles will really help you get the ultimate French country look but they can come at a steep price. If you have a smaller budget, then you can get a similar look by choosing a light tan or brown asphalt shingle that will add a bit of that traditional French country look to your home. 

Think Exterior Paint

Whether you have brick, stucco, or siding on your home, painting it a light neutral color like a creamy white, a taupe, or a light grey will help tie it in together with your roof. If you are building a home, consider doing a painted brick because that's what you see throughout the French countryside. When choosing paint colors, have your painter put several samples on the wall for you to see in different lights; that way you can make a more informed decision. 

To learn more about roofing, reach out to a roofing service near you.