Pack a big curb-appeal punch

How tiny homes manage to pack a big punch of personality.

We’ve all seen them: mini maisons crammed with charisma or tiny jewel boxes filled to the brim with charm.

But how do these diminutive dwellings manage to have so much character? What is it that gives the classic tiny cottage its dreamy style and wow factor? Here are some essentials.

Roofline. There are many roof shapes that can work with cottage style, but the key is having multiple sections to the roofline. This home sports a hip roof with two hip-and-valley sections in the front. This makes the home symmetrical and provides interest in the roofline. On a single-story home like this, the hip-and-valley sections create dimension. You want to avoid a single, flat roof.

Siding. When it comes to cottage siding, stay away from stucco, and go with wood or brick. Cottage wood options include board and batten, beadboard, shiplap and shingle siding. This home sports another classic, clapboard, which works well with the shingle roof, and its pale gray color offsets the white trim and blue shutters. Be aware that while wood siding looks amazing, it can be difficult to care for, especially if you live in a damp climate.

Shutters and front door. There’s nothing that will add more cottage charm to your home than shutters and a cute front door. On this home, it’s the shutters that stand out, navy blue against the pale gray siding. On other homes, it’s a brightly-colored front door that provides a pop of color and the wow factor. If you want to go the extra mile, install a Dutch door so you can open the top half to bring in the breeze.

Front porch. You don’t need a full wraparound porch, but having some type of front porch, portico or walkway is essential. On this home, a few steps lead to an open porch with a white picket rail, whitewashed bench and pillows that match the navy blue of the shutters. Not only does the open porch make the home feel inviting, but the seating area and pillows add a hint of interior luxury that makes passersby want to come in and stay awhile. Don’t have room for a porch? A wood bench under a front-yard tree would achieve the same effect.

Landscaping. Landscaping will make or break your curb appeal. This home is charming, not just because of the architecture, which softens the transition from the grass to the exterior walls, but also because of the green lawn, full shrubs and blooming hydrangeas along the front of the house. The winding brick pathway also draws the eye to the front door in an interesting way.

While brightly colored flowers are always a plus, you don’t have to have seasonal blooms to make your yard look well-tended. An ambling brick pathway does a great job of adding interest and drawing the eye to the front door.