Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional two-storey blue exterior in Chicago with concrete fiberboard siding.

Modern mountain aesthetic in this fully exposed custom designed ranch. Exterior brings together lap siding and stone veneer accents with welcoming timber columns and entry truss. Garage door covered with standing seam metal roof supported by brackets. Large timber columns and beams support a rear covered screened porch. (Ryan Hainey)

Cottage By the Lake

Kyle Hunt & Partners, Incorporated

Architect: Sharratt Design & Company, Photography: Jim Kruger, LandMark Photography, Landscape & Retaining Walls: Yardscapes, Inc.
Inspiration for a large traditional three-storey blue house exterior in Minneapolis with wood siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Modern Craftsman Style Custom Home

Advantage Contracting

Custom craftsman style home by Advantage Contracting in West Hartford, CT. This custom home was built in South Glastonbury, CT.
Design ideas for a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey blue exterior in Bridgeport with concrete fiberboard siding and a gable roof.

Little Cottage on Chester

Gill Design Co.

We found a sweet little cottage in east Nashville and fell in love. The seller's expectation was that we would tear it down and build a duplex, but we felt that this house had so much more it wanted to give. The interior space is small, but a double-swing front porch, large rear deck and an old garage converted into studio space make for flexible living solutions.

Coastal Living Magazine Showhouse

Flagg Coastal Homes

Entrance to the 2014 Coastal Living Showhouse O McGoldrick Photography
Photo of a beach style two-storey blue exterior in San Diego with a gable roof and a mixed roof.

Sylvan Park Urban Farmhouse

Marilyn Hill Interiors

Showcase Photographers
Photo of a mid-sized country two-storey blue exterior in Nashville with concrete fiberboard siding.

house conversion of a dairy

Warwick O'Brien Architects

Warwick O'Brien
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary one-storey blue exterior in Adelaide.

Custom Cottage Community - First Pocket Neighborhood

LAND DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDING, LLC

At Inglenook of Carmel, residents share common outdoor courtyards and pedestrian-friendly pathways where they can see one another during the comings and goings of the day, creating meaningful friendships and a true sense of community. Designed by renowned architect Ross Chapin, Inglenook of Carmel offers a range of two-, three-, and four-bedroom Cottage Home designs. From the colorful exterior paint and private flowerboxes to the custom built-ins and detailed design, each home is unique, just like the community.

Hayes House

ARCI Architects

Large traditional three-storey blue exterior in Other with vinyl siding and a gable roof.

Traditional Exterior

Mid-sized traditional two-storey blue exterior in Louisville.

Purple House

CG&S Design-Build

Design by Mark Evans Project Management by Jay Schaefer Photos by Paul Finkel
Inspiration for a traditional one-storey blue exterior in Austin with wood siding.

Captain Sutton House Colonial

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

This extensive restoration project involved dismantling, moving, and reassembling this historic (c. 1687) First Period home in Ipswich, Massachusetts. We worked closely with the dedicated homeowners and a team of specialist craftsmen – first to assess the situation and devise a strategy for the work, and then on the design of the addition and indoor renovations. As with all our work on historic homes, we took special care to preserve the building’s authenticity while allowing for the integration of modern comforts and amenities. The finished product is a grand and gracious home that is a testament to the investment of everyone involved. Excerpt from Wicked Local Ipswich - Before proceeding with the purchase, Johanne said she and her husband wanted to make sure the house was worth saving. Mathew Cummings, project architect for Cummings Architects, helped the Smith's determine what needed to be done in order to restore the house. Johanne said Cummings was really generous with his time and assisted the Smith's with all the fine details associated with the restoration. Photo Credit: Cynthia August

shoup residence + office compound

building Lab, inc.

Located adjacent to Linden Park at 999 43rd street in Oakland, the property can be described as transitional on many levels. In the urban sense, the neighborhood remains somewhat edgy but is slowly absorbing some of the calming effects of gentrification. Although momentum has stalled somewhat since the economic downturn, recent re-occupation of two nearby warehouses, one as housing and one as a charter school, has contributed significantly to establishing a more hospitable and engaging character to the neighborhood. Living here remains a dynamic balance between embracing the community and maintaining privacy. Since this was intended as a live/work compound, the building needed to accommodate an office, a residence, as well as retain its workshop. It was a tight fit even for a bachelor—the living and dining room doubled as a meeting space and lounge for bL’s crew. Growth in the business and a diminishing enchantment with the 24hr comingling of my personal and professional lives compelled phase one of expansion. This took the form of a retired freezer shipping container which we transformed into an office located in the back lot. My personal office remained in the main building while other work stations migrated out back. A year later, marriage and imminent parenthood prompted a second, contiguous shipping container conversion. Practically speaking, this allowed adequate and varied space to compactly accommodate both family and business. Architecturally, the second container allowed the formation of layered inner courtyard that provides privacy without hermetically sealing us off from our neighbors. The container conversions are a significant part of extensive green building credentials. These include myriad reclaimed, non-toxic and sustainably sourced materials and a solar thermal system servicing both domestic hot water and hydronic heating. In 2008, Build It Green featured the property on a green home tour. Aside from the container additions, we have stayed within the bounds of the existing building envelope. The process has been and continues to be one of discovery and dialogue; the proverbial Khanian brick in the form of a north Oakland warehouse.

Prichett

Avan Construction Inc.

Brick & Siding Façade
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury two-storey blue house exterior in Houston with concrete fiberboard siding, a hip roof, a mixed roof, a brown roof and shingle siding.

Remodels & Additions

MZ Development Partners, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional two-storey blue house exterior in Chicago with vinyl siding and a gable roof.

A new home in the New York Suburbs

User

Design ideas for a traditional blue exterior in New York.

Round Porch with peak roof

Cabot Building & Design, Inc.

A round porch with round roof and curved railings. Designed by Woodworth Architects.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional two-storey blue exterior in Boston with wood siding and a hip roof.

16th Street Bungalow

MPR Architecture

Front elevation of house with wooden porch and stone piers.
This is an example of a large arts and crafts two-storey blue house exterior in DC Metro with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Private Residence - Manasquan, NJ

Brendan McHugh, Architect, Manasquan, NJ

Design ideas for a small beach style two-storey blue house exterior in New York with a gambrel roof, a shingle roof, a black roof, shingle siding and vinyl siding.

Blue Exterior Design Ideas

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.