Let’s Take This Outside

Wow! Summer is finally here! The days are longer, the sun is warmer, and nature is in full bloom. Even with the occasional rainy day, there's no denying the vibrant energy this season brings. While spring might be known for fresh starts, summer is when the momentum builds—and with that, renovation season is in full swing.

Summer is an ideal time for home renovations. The consistent warm weather allows construction projects to move ahead without the interruptions of spring showers or winter frost, making it the perfect season to dive into that long-awaited transformation. Lately, this has had me reflecting on the home’s exterior—the very place we crave to spend more time when the sun is shining and the patio furniture is calling. But did you know that your home’s interior design can have a major influence on its exterior—and vice versa?

So what comes first, the chicken or the egg? Are you considering making updates to your home's interior and exterior in phases? Which should you do first? How does your home’s interior affect its curb appeal? And how do exterior upgrades impact the inside?

At DMB Design, we believe the interior vision should always lead. Designing the interior first allows us to thoughtfully plan for window and door placements, ensuring that any updates to the exterior support and enhance the interior experience—not compete with it.

There are two main reasons for this connection:

1. The Snowball Effect

2. Design Feasibility

Design Feasibility: Marrying the Inside with the Outside

A desirable interior layout may not always be achievable if existing window or door placement interferes with the design vision. For example, if you’ve dreamed of a stunning kitchen with a long run of cabinetry and a statement range hood, but a window is smack in the middle of that wall, adjustments will need to be made. Similarly, doors placed too close to corners or at awkward heights may limit furniture layout and traffic flow.

In many cases, repositioning windows and doors is the best solution—and that instantly impacts your home’s exterior look. The style, size, and location of these elements can dramatically change your home’s façade and architectural harmony. Even swapping a single window can throw off balance unless surrounding elements are updated, too. A new front door may suddenly make that old trim or exterior finish feel outdated—and don’t even get us started on the porch light.

Landscaping is another area that’s often re-evaluated during interior upgrades. New sightlines from within the home can make previously ignored garden beds or hardscaping feel in need of attention. Before long, you’re refreshing outdoor lighting, repainting shutters, and adding a new walkway to match your beautifully updated space indoors.

The Snowball Effect: One Change Leads to Another

Once you begin transforming your home’s interior—updating finishes, reimagining layouts, and bringing in fresh new elements—it becomes almost impossible to ignore what’s happening outside. Imagine designing a stunning, modern kitchen with sleek cabinetry and contemporary finishes, only to be met with outdated, weathered windows and doors that no longer fit the aesthetic. Suddenly, those once-overlooked exterior elements feel out of place, pushing them to the top of the renovation list.

It’s not just about looks; functionality plays a big role as well. Sometimes, achieving the layout you truly want requires relocating windows and doors to create a more efficient flow or to better complement the home’s new interior style. We’ve encountered kitchens with too many windows (hello, fishbowl effect!), kitchens without enough natural light, and spaces where swapping a sliding door for elegant French doors added both beauty and function. We’ve also worked on first floors where installing a new, light-filled front door completely transformed a previously dark and closed-off foyer. But as soon as that beautiful new door goes in, guess what? The old exterior light fixtures suddenly stick out like a sore thumb, and before you know it, a simple update turns into a full-scale exterior refresh.

The Takeaway

A well-designed home is one where the interior and exterior work in harmony. As you embark on an interior renovation, it’s important to consider the ripple effect it may have on your home’s exterior. While it may start with just one change, thoughtful planning ensures that all elements—inside and out—come together to create a cohesive and beautiful home. So, as the sun stays high in the sky and home improvement season kicks into full gear, step outside, look back at your home, and imagine the possibilities. Because when you refresh one space, the rest of your home is sure to follow.