First impressions are everything, and this is especially true for your home. From landscaping to siding, you want your curb appeal to pop.
Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest impact.
Downspouts direct water away from your home and are essential for protecting your house from water damage. Luckily, they’re simple to install and even easier to beautify. Often overlooked, downspouts can add some serious wow factor.
If you want to upgrade your home’s aesthetic appeal, read on. We’ve got five brilliant downspout ideas that’ll make your house shine.
Rain Barrels
Functional and environmentally-friendly. What more could you ask for?
Rain barrels are both a collection and storage device for rainwater that falls into your gutters. A cheap way to reduce water consumption, they’re simple to install at the end of your downspout.
Consider painting your rain barrel to match your siding. For a touch of whimsy, clad it in wood, or top it with some flowers.
Vertical Garden
Want to flex your green thumb? Why not take your garden to new heights? Gutter gardening employs planter boxes that easily attach to downspouts. Add some color to your home with vertical planters.
Or opt for a rain harvesting garden. This system places a planter at the bottom of your downspout. Plant a climbing species like ivy, and you’ll soon have gorgeous greenery running up the side of your house.
Rain Chain
Rain chains are a string of vessels connected by a chain. Rain trickles down, channeling water from the roof to the ground. Delicate-looking and elegant, they’re a stunning alternative to traditional downspouts.
You’ll find them in a variety of styles and materials. Choose from aluminum, brass, or stainless steel. Or get creative and make a DIY downspout with materials from the hardware store.
Whimsical Decorations
While rain chains are perfect for a bit of water, you may need something more substantial. If you live in an area with heavy rain, enclosed tubes are a better fit. But that doesn’t mean you can’t jazz things up.
For an artful touch, try these ideas:
- Arrange your downspouts in a zig-zag or geometric pattern along your siding
- Switch out aluminum for copper for a splash of bling
- Incorporate a decorative downspout sculpture—think large copper dragonflies, spinning wheels, or musical instruments
Don’t Forget the Bottom
Splash guards sit underneath your downspouts and direct rainwater away from your home. They’re not only decorative but can also help reduce soil erosion. Consider elegant copper plates or whimsical leaf designs.
Looking for something more organic? Build a rock garden out of pebbles and stone. You can run it along the length of your yard and channel water right to the street.
Try These Downspout Ideas Today
These downspout ideas are easy solutions for improving your curb appeal.
If you’re looking for more home improvement tips, take a look at our blog. We’ve got tons of ideas and DIY advice.
