By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features
When it comes to renovating your home’s exterior, you may think about giving it a fresh coat of paint or planting some new shrubs. But there’s another project that’s just as worthy and simple to do: replacing your old, rusty house numbers with stylish new ones. They ’re like accessories that instantly perk up the outside of a home, imparting color and texture. Check out a few tips on how to choose the right ones for your property:
Opt for numbers that are easy to read
The numbers should be big enough to clearly be seen from the street, so guests and delivery workers can find your front door without a hassle. Placing them near an exterior light source, such as a sconce, is helpful when it’s dark outside. The color of your house numbers is key: It should contrast with the color of your home’s exterior for the best readability. If the mounting surface is dark, the numbers should be in a light color such as matte white; for a light-colored mounting surface, go with dark numbers in matte black or another dark hue.
Size things up
House numbers come in different sizes, from small to jumbo. For best readability, pick numbers that measure four to six inches in height.
Find a font that’s straightforward
A curvaceous typeface may be attractive but it’s the wrong choice if no one can read it. A better option: a simple, classic font like Helvetica that has enough space between numbers.
Choose a style and material
You can pick numbers in a style that complements your home’s exterior look like modern farmhouse or midcentury modern. Also think about what material you prefer—make sure that it’s durable and doesn’t rust easily. Some popular choices: vinyl, metal, and tile. The finish, such as matte or brushed satin, is also up to you.
Check with your local municipality
Some towns regulate house numbers specifying, for example, that they must be a minimum height of five inches, be made of a durable and clearly visible material, and are in a contrasting color to the mounting background.
Place them vertically.
Putting the number up and down has a fun, modern appeal and will be easy for visitors to see from the street.
Use the fence
Who says you have to stick to putting up numbers on your actual house? If you’d rather not drill into your home’s outer surface, whether it’s made of brick or vinyl siding, find another place for the numbers that’s near the front door, such as a wood fence, post, or garage. The mailbox, if in a visible spot, is another popular location.