Sage Cottage Architects

  • Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Kitchens
  • Design
    • Living Small
    • Old Houses
  • Exteriors
    • Decorating
  • Granny Flats
  • Construction
You are here: Home / Exteriors / Design Inspiration: 30 Exterior Shutters

Design Inspiration: 30 Exterior Shutters

Exteriors· Planning and Design

12 Oct

I will be the first to admit that my house has very little curb appeal. Built in the late 1970’s, it’s a typical one story, Midwestern brick ranch with no architectural details and very little character. In fact, the exterior shutters are the only decoration on the front of the house.

While the shutters add a little bit of interest, they fall seriously short of adding actual curb appeal. For starters, the shutters are not functional – they are just decorative panels attached to the brick. Secondly, they were incorrectly sized. The windows are rather large (42″ wide), and the builder installed a stock 12″ louvered shutter. These two factors make the shutters look puny. Like they were an afterthought.

Finally, they are not in great condition. The paint is peeling, they are dented (too many whiffle ball games in the front yard!), and some have been installed upside down.

Exterior Shutters

Dark red exterior shutter with window and planter boxes

When chosen correctly, exterior shutters can add a tremendous amount of curb appeal to a home. But, how do you choose? The two biggest decisions are style and size.

Shutter Style

Start with the shutter style. Exterior shutters come in a few standard styles: louvered, solid, paneled, board and batten, Bahama, cut-out, and a combination louvered and paneled.

Be sure to pick a style that accentuates the style and location of your home. For example, a Bahama shutter will look very silly on any house that’s not tropically inspired or in a tropical location. Most houses will look best with a paneled or louvered shutter.

As for color, again, pick something that is going to accentuate the style of your home. If your home has warm, earth tone colors, then pick a shutter that is warmer rather than a bright color. Personally, I like a lot of contrast, like white shutters on red brick, black shutters on a light colored stone wall, or bright blue on a light stucco wall.

Shutter Size

Selecting the correct shutter size is, by far, the most important decision when buying new shutters. The style and color don’t matter if you pick the wrong size. I’ve seen shutters that are too long, too short, or too narrow. Don’t buy an incorrect sized shutter just because it’s cheaper. Rather than adding curb appeal, incorrectly sized shutters just look silly.

Shutters should be the same height as the window, and one half the width (in other words, when both shutters are theoretically closed, they should completely cover the window). Finally, the shutter shape should match the window – arched windows should have arched top shutters. (Seems pretty obvious, but I’ve seen homes where this rule was ignored. Just sayin’.)

Design Inspiration: Exterior Shutters

Take a scroll through this Houzz Ideabook of exterior shutters and find some curb appeal inspiration.

 

Exterior Shutters #1
Exterior Shutters #2

Did you find any inspiration in this idea book? After putting it together, I’m pretty sure I’m adding new exterior shutters to my spring to-do list.

Looking for more curb appeal ideas? Check out 15 Garden Gates to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home.

Pin this for later!

Design Inspiration: 30 Exterior Shutters 1

SaveSave

SaveSave

Please share!

About Lori

Lori is a licensed architect, and has specialized in residential, commercial and industrial building projects. She lives out in the sticks of Central Illinois with her brilliant husband, three wonderful teens, and two cats of questionable intelligence.

« What is Art Deco Architecture?
Average Cost of a Bathroom Remodel – Free Budgeting Printable »

welcome to

Sage Cottage Architects

We are Lori and Kim, licensed architects who took a few years off from our professional careers to raise our families. Sage Cottage Architects explores our passion for residential architecture and environmentally friendly design. We aim to make beautiful spaces accessible to everyone.

subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive home decor, planning and design content.

Latest Articles

Home Bathroom Spa Ideas – 7 Easy Ways to Stretch a Small Budget

Pantone Color of the Year 2021: Two Hopeful Optimistic Colors

How to Easily Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro in 15 Steps

What is Living In Place? The 3 Important Principles We All Need in Our Homes

Wellborn Cabinets – What Style is Your Dream Kitchen?

Categories

  • Adventures in Architecture
  • Bathrooms
  • Decorating
  • Decorating
  • Exteriors
  • Granny Flats
  • Home Construction
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • Living Small
  • Old Houses
  • Planning and Design




Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

—

Information

  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Get social with us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Copyright © 2023 · Sage Cottage Architects · Log in