The right facade can make your home feel uniquely yours while boosting street appeal and future resale value.
A facade cannot be overlooked in the design process of your new home; it’s your home's first impression to the street and the neighbourhood.
It’s not just about style; it’s about identity and it can be an exciting and yet daunting aspect of a home build which many buyers need coaching through.
Russell Slater, Sales Manager at Fairmont Homes, a leading South Australian-based builder, explained it best.
“It’s your opportunity to put your personality onto your home and onto the street," he said.
"It’s really rewarding to come home to something and think, ‘yeah, I chose that and I like it’.
"Every home is for resale at some point, so the money you save on not upgrading your facade you will lose many times over when it comes time to sell.”
Fairmont First's pre-designed exterior colour schemes allow you to easily customise the look of your facade. Pictured: 'Classic Mk2' (Desert).
Fairmont First offer a fixed price range of homes designed for first home buyers and investors and recently expanded their facade and design range.
They now have over 20 designs available, effectively doubling the number of options previously available to homebuyers.
This expansion includes a variety of designs across different price points, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences and budgets.
So how do you choose a facade that suits your taste, your budget, and your future goals?
Here are four smart tips to guide first-time homebuyers and savvy investors alike.
1. Let lighting and entry design do the talking
Your front door and entryway can elevate your facade’s impact. Consider a modern front door design, feature lighting, and even landscaping to enhance your exterior’s charm.
Small additions like statement lighting or a timber portico can give your home that polished, architectural edge.
Fairmont First’s online design tool helps buyers visualise exteriors. Pictured: ‘Vogue Mk2’ (Smoke) featuring a natural timber aesthetic across the portico.
Catherine Moore, Studio Design Consultant at Fairmont Homes, said that something as simple as adding a statement front door is well worth the cost.
“A large front door can be enhanced by selecting a style with glazing in the windows," she said.
"Not only does this allow increased natural light into the home, but it will also increase visual interest.”
Lighting adds to a home’s security and also enhances the overall aesthetic.
“Consider additional lighting for the front porch to allow safe entry," Ms Moore said.
"Feature lighting such as wall lights create a welcoming atmosphere and can be directed to highlight architectural features of the home or landscaping.”
2. Cladding and colour can go a long way
Ms Moore said clients often consider cladding and colour options to create a more personalised style.
"Cladding can help to emphasise a particular design style such as the weatherboard look for a coastal style," she said.
"A darker cladding can also be added for a contemporary urban style.
"A bold brick adds visual interest and is a popular choice for industrial and modern farmhouse styles.”
The brick, render and cladding in Fairmont First’s ‘New Hampton’ (Tidal) facade has maximum street appeal.
Colour can also set your home apart; however, Ms Moore suggests keeping a facade to a maximum of three colours.
“We’ve created a new range of harmonious exteriors by keeping to no more than three colours and finishes," she explained.
"Repetition of some of your colours and materials also helps to achieve this harmony."
3. Choose a style that reflects you and your environment
From clean, modern lines to charming Hamptons-inspired designs, today’s facade options are more versatile than ever.
Fairmont First’s design team works closely with drafting professionals, sales experts, and marketing to ensure their facades are both trend-forward and timeless.
“We looked at what people are building now and also tasked our marketing team to forecast what people will be building in two to three years,” said Mr Slater.
“That’s how we’ve built a facade range that feels current, but also future-proof.”
Ms Moore said that clients should also consider what facades and design choices reflect their environments.
"Take inspiration from your building’s location," she said.
"So, think about breezy looks for coastal areas in styles with light colours and cladding, or you could look at earthy and botanical colours for country settings–they fit harmoniously with the environment and are also more practical for rural areas."
4. Simplify your selection with smart tools
With so many decisions to make, first-time buyers building a new home can easily feel overwhelmed.
That’s why Fairmont First developed a user-friendly design and pricing tool on their website, letting buyers visualise their dream home including how their facades could will look, along with getting a detailed quote before speaking to a Housing Consultant.
"Design and Price allows you to play around with the majority of your quote in terms of the build and the inclusions,” explained Mr Slater.
“It gives you a sense of control and helps simplify what can otherwise be a complex process.”
Ms Moore said research is key before deciding on a facade so you go into the process with a clear vision of what you want to achieve.
“I strongly recommend taking the time to research exterior facades to understand your design style before making your selections," she explained.
"Visit new developments, display homes, and brick suppliers.
"This goes a long way to help you understand what you like and don't like as well as what fits in with your style preferences.
"Viewing materials such as bricks in person is super beneficial as the appearance can be very different from an online or a printed image."
Fairmont First developed a user-friendly design and pricing tool on their website, letting buyers visualise their dream home.
A homeowner's perspective
With nearly 60 years of experience, Fairmont First is a trusted name in quality, fixed-price home builds.
Their facades are not just an upgrade—they’re a promise of smart design, strong street appeal, and lasting value.
For Cheryl Hunt, co-owner of Ivybrook Farm in McLaren Vale, building her new home with Fairmont First was refreshingly simple.
“It was a really stress-free experience,” Ms Hunt.
“Everything was well thought out, and the facade options made it easy to choose something beautiful that didn’t blow the budget.
"I felt confident knowing I was working with a builder who’s been doing this for decades.”
Fairmont First’s curated selection includes pre-designed facades at low, mid, and high upgrade levels, making elevated design accessible at any price point.
Ready to build your dream home?
Explore Fairmont First’s stunning new facade range and start customising your home today.
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