How to Choose House Numbers
You’ve seen the front exterior of our new home a couple times now, but the final touch was replacing the house numbers. It took awhile for them to arrive because they were custom made (I designed them), but it was well worth the lead-time. Take a peek at how they turned out and browse a roundup of my favorite readymade house numbers, along with a guide to making an appropriate selection for your own house.Â
With millions of options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Some people wonder if their house numbers should match the exterior aesthetic of their home. The simple answer is yes and no. Your numbers should definitely feel cohesive with your home, but with that said- just because you live in a traditional tudor, doesn’t mean you have to have uber traditional house numbers. It’s always a safe bet to choose a font or number style that matches your home, but contrasting styles can help to show your personality. Just be sure to keep scale, proportion, and color in mind when making your selection!
When it comes to house numbers, I do have a few pet peeves…. house numbers that are too large, house numbers that are too small, and house numbers that are illegible. Here’s a list of five guidelines to consider…
Visibility / Readability : Make sure your numbers can be easily be read. Also consider their legibility at night. Since it’s getting darker earlier, I’ve noticed it’s difficult to see many house numbers. Be sure to install them in an adequately lit area, or purchase reflective numbers. Your local delivery man will thank you!
Size : If your city has an ordinance, be aware and follow their rules to avoid fines. Typically, numbers 4″ tall or larger are best. They’re easy for visitors to recognize from the street.
Contrast : Consider the contrast when making your selection. If your home is painted black, black house numbers probably won’t look great. Opt for white instead! For homes with a busy exterior (like my red brick home), sometimes numbers on a plaque or backplate are necessary, so the letterforms don’t blend with grout lines and texture.
Material : Choose a material that is durable and will last! The last thing you want is rusted numbers that decrease the curb appeal of your home. Investing in a quality material is a good way to ensure they’ll look good for years to come.
Installation : Finding a spot for your house numbers is half the battle. Some people choose the strangest places. Make sure they’re highly visible, out of direct weather (if possible), and easy to find on your home’s exterior. A good rule of thumb is to find an area that people might look first… next to a door, on your front door, or in an area with adequate negative space.
Take a look at some of my favorite house numbers. So that’s it not confusing, I used letters for each product link… I’m hoping that’s easier for you guys to navigate (then again- I’m not a numbers gal).
A: mission house numbers // B: double border house number plaque // C: die cut metal house numbers // D: antique metal numbers // E: art deco house numbers // F: bronze house numbers // G: classic stone house numbers // H: modern house numbers // I: floral house number // J: ceramic tile house numbers // K: condensed modern house numbers // L: modernist house numbers // M: custom ceramic house number plaque // N: reclaimed teak house numbers // O: neutra modern house numbers // P: sleek address plaque // Q: cast iron numerals
The before and after is pretty incredible, right? For those of you asking for resources….
exterior light fixture | door mat DIY | mailbox DIY | door knocker | planter | house numbers
I have to give huge props to Emmett for helping with this post. I was sick in bed with the flu last week and he took all of the images for me. I think they turned out amazing. Thanks for hanging in there while I was sick and behind on blog content, guys! xo