When it comes to designing the exterior of a modular home, one of the most important design decisions you'll make is choosing the cladding colour.

At Anchor Homes, we’ve built a range of stunning homes with both light and dark cladding, each offering unique advantages and creating distinct visual impacts.

Let's dive into the discussion of light versus dark cladding and explore the benefits and aesthetics of each option.

Light Cladding: Brightening Your Space

1. Timeless Appeal:

• Light-coloured exterior cladding, like whites and soft neutrals, carry a timeless charm that complements various architectural styles.
• These shades have a classic, enduring quality that enhances the visual appeal of your home, ensuring it remains stylish and sophisticated through changing trends.
• Light colours subtly highlight architectural features, making them an excellent option for achieving a timeless and sophisticated appearance.

2. Versatile Design:

• Light-coloured exterior cladding provides a versatile foundation for a wide range of design elements.
• Neutral tones effortlessly blend with different materials, colours, and textures, allowing you to experiment with various accents and landscaping options.
• This adaptability makes light cladding a flexible choice for homeowners who appreciate design freedom and the ability to refresh their home’s exterior with ease.

3. Highlighting Landscape Features

• Choosing lighter exterior cladding helps your landscape shine.
• Light colours create a gentle backdrop that allows garden elements like stone pathways, decorative rock gardens, or lush greenery to take center stage.
• Instead of dominating the view, your home complements the natural beauty of your yard, ensuring that your landscape features are the true focal points of your property. 

Most Popular Light Cladding Colour:

At Anchor Homes, our clients often select light tones such as Colorbond Surfmist, Shale Grey and Dune. These soft, neutral colours are versatile and blend well with natural surroundings, giving the exterior a bright and welcoming look.

For the Tathra Project (pictured above), our clients selected a combination of Nailstrip cladding and James Hardie Stria cladding in the Colorbond shade ‘Dune’. The shade featured on the roof is Colorbond 'Surfmist' which perfectly complements this combination, enhancing the fresh, coastal aesthetic.

Project Highlight: Cranbourne South, VIC

In one of our recent projects in Cranbourne South, Victoria, we used a Weathertex Weathergroove Smooth cladding in the elegant shade of Dulux's 'Paving Stone.' This light grey colour not only highlights the home's architectural features but also accentuates the beautiful landscaping created by our clients.

Dark Cladding: Making a Bold Statement

1. Architectural Emphasis

• Dark-coloured exterior cladding has the ability to accentuate the architectural lines and structure of your home.
• Deep hues draw attention to the shape and form of the building, highlighting design details like rooflines, angles, and contours.
• Darker exteriors add a sense of depth and dimension, making your home’s design stand out in a striking and sophisticated way. 

2. Blending with Nature

• Dark-coloured cladding allows your home to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, particularly in bushland areas.
• Deep tones complement the colours found in nature, creating a connection between your home and the landscape. 

3. Sophisticated Mood

• Opting for dark-coloured exterior cladding elevates your home with a dramatic, upscale flair, giving your home a distinguished, high-end feel.
• Deep hues bring an air of modern luxury, making your home a standout in the neighborhood.

Most Popular Dark Cladding Colour:

Our clients' top choice for dark cladding is Colorbond 'Monument'. This deep, bold colour adds a touch of sophistication and complements both urban and natural landscapes.

Creating Contrast

One of the most exciting trends in home design is the use of contrasting cladding colours. By combining light and dark cladding, you can create a dynamic and visually striking exterior that emphasises architectural features and adds depth to your design.

1. Highlighting Architectural Features

• Applying darker shades to trim or accent walls highlights architectural features and creates a striking contrast, enhancing visual appeal.
• Using lighter colors for broader surfaces helps maintain a bright and welcoming ambiance, ensuring the home remains inviting and visually balanced. 
• Opting for contrasting colors not only adds depth but also elevates the overall exterior design.

2. Adding Warmth and Texture with Natural Timbers

• To add warmth and texture, consider upgrading to incorporate natural timbers like Spotted Gum as a feature cladding.
• When combining natural timber with light or dark cladding, it enhances the aesthetic appeal and adds a rich, organic contrast that elevates the overall design.

Project Highlight: Buxton, VIC

Our clients in Buxton, Victoria chose a combination of cladding to craft a modern exterior that perfectly complements their picturesque site in the Yarra Valley. The Weathertex Weathergroove cladding in Monument and the Spotted Gum feature cladding pair well with the Cubehaus facade on the Hampton 14 design.

When Are Colour Selections Made?

Choosing your cladding and colours is an exciting part of the design process at Anchor Homes. You’ll make this decision during your Colour and Finishes Appointment, which takes place in the pre-construction phase. During this appointment, you'll explore a range of options, guided by our expert team to ensure your choices align with your vision for your home.

Making the Right Choice

At Anchor Homes, we’re dedicated to helping you craft the perfect exterior for your modular home. Whether you’re drawn to the sleek elegance of light cladding, the bold drama of dark cladding, or a creative combination of both, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Over To You

If you're inspired by our stunning prefab homes and want to explore how we can bring your vision to life, submit a project enquiry today! Let us help you create the home of your dreams with the perfect blend of style, functionality, and modern design.

To discover if we are able to deliver our homes to your location, click here to view a map of our service area.