The 80s house exterior is instantly recognizable. Angular rooflines, mixed siding materials, and sometimes quirky details like glass blocks or bold trims defined the era. But while these homes were cutting-edge at the time, many now look tired, dated, or even out of sync with today’s design standards.
Here’s the good news: with a thoughtful makeover, you can take that 1980s exterior and transform it into a stylish, modern masterpiece—without erasing its character. Whether you’re renovating to boost curb appeal, improve efficiency, or simply love your home too much to leave it stuck in the past, the right updates can make all the difference.
Let’s break down how to reimagine your 80s house exterior with a mix of practical upgrades and bold design choices.
Choosing the Right Color Palette
One of the fastest ways to breathe new life into an 80s house exterior is with paint.
Homes of the era often embraced bold, sometimes clashing colors. Think faded browns, mustard yellows, or even salmon pinks. Today, a clean, contemporary palette works better. Neutrals like charcoal, soft beige, taupe, and off-white create a timeless backdrop.
But don’t shy away from contrast. A crisp black trim against light siding, or a bold front door color—like teal, fire-engine red, or even a muted mint—can strike the perfect balance between modern and playful.
Pro tip: Use your natural surroundings as a guide. A wooded lot pairs beautifully with earthy greens and browns, while coastal locations shine with whites and blues.
Updating Materials for a Fresh Look
The 80s loved variety—brick, stucco, wood siding, and aluminum often lived side by side. Unfortunately, time hasn’t always been kind to those materials.
Here’s how you can upgrade:
- Siding: If full replacement isn’t in the budget, focus on accent areas like gables or entryways. Fiber cement siding is a smart investment—durable, low-maintenance, and available in modern styles like shiplap or cedar shake.
- Roofing: Replace worn shingles with sleek architectural shingles in dark gray or black. A small change, but it anchors the whole look.
- Trim: Peeling fascia or old wood railings can be revived with high-quality exterior paint in a crisp color. White trim almost always brightens the home instantly.
- Windows: Many 80s houses came with narrow, drafty metal windows. Switching to larger, energy-efficient designs makes your home look more modern and brings in more light.
These material updates not only improve aesthetics but also boost resale value and energy performance.
Landscaping and Curb Appeal Enhancements
Even the most beautifully renovated 80s house exterior will fall flat without the right landscaping.
- Remove outdated shrubs: Many 80s homes are still hiding behind overgrown junipers or foundation plantings. Replace them with native, drought-resistant plants that require less maintenance.
- Pathways: Consider upgrading your walkway with pavers, stone, or a sleek concrete finish. Curved paths often feel more welcoming than the straight lines of the 80s.
- Lighting: Install modern outdoor lighting along the path and near focal points of the house. LED fixtures with warm tones highlight your updates at night.
For maximum effect, think of landscaping as framing for your home. The right greenery draws the eye to your house, not away from it.
Entryway Upgrades
The entryway is the focal point of most exteriors. In the 1980s, storm doors and bland front doors were the norm. Today, you have far better options.
- Bold front doors: A statement color or contemporary glass-paneled door creates instant character.
- Hardware: Swap out dated brass knobs for sleek matte black or brushed nickel handles.
- House numbers: Oversized, modern numbers are a small detail that makes a big impression.
Even a budget-friendly project, like painting your front door and adding potted plants, can transform how guests perceive your home.
Garage and Roof Improvements
Garages often dominate the façade of 80s homes. If yours feels like a plain, boxy afterthought, a makeover here pays off.
- Garage doors: Replace old panels with a modern design, like a frosted glass door for a contemporary look or carriage-style doors for a more classic vibe. Even magnetic decorative hardware can give an instant facelift.
- Rooflines: If replacing the roof, consider color carefully. Black or charcoal shingles add sophistication, while lighter grays blend more subtly into neighborhoods.
When garage and roof upgrades align with the rest of your design, the entire exterior feels cohesive.
Budget-Friendly Updates
Not every 80s house exterior remodel requires tens of thousands of dollars. There are plenty of small, cost-effective improvements that still have a huge impact:
- Spray-paint old light fixtures in a fresh finish.
- Add window boxes with seasonal flowers.
- Replace old shutters or repaint them in a bold accent color.
- Pressure wash siding and walkways to instantly refresh surfaces.
- Install new mailbox and house numbers for under $100.
These projects are perfect for DIY homeowners who want a weekend project that makes the house feel refreshed.
Preserving the 80s Character While Modernizing
It’s tempting to erase every trace of the past, but many details of an 80s house exterior deserve to stay. Glass block, angled windows, or geometric trim can be reinterpreted with a modern twist.
The key is balance: keep one or two defining features while updating the rest. This way, your home stands out without looking like a confused mix of styles.
For example, if your house has striking angled rooflines, highlight them with simple siding and a monochromatic palette. If it has large brick sections, pair them with warm wood accents instead of covering everything up.
Conclusion: From Dated to Distinctive
An 80s house exterior doesn’t have to remain stuck in time. With the right color palette, material upgrades, and strategic landscaping, you can transform your home into something bold, modern, and inviting.
Whether you’re going all-in with new siding and windows or starting small with paint and light fixtures, every change matters. And when done thoughtfully, these updates don’t erase the home’s personality—they highlight it.
The 1980s gave us some unique architectural canvases. Today, it’s up to us to see them clearly, embrace what works, and reimagine the rest. Your home can be both a nod to the past and a showcase of modern style. And when that happens, the result isn’t just an update. It’s a transformation.
