The shape of the angled porch-roof, sets the tone for a truly modern entryway. This protective covering makes a dramatic statement, as it hovers over the front door. The blue-stone terrace conveys even more interest, as it gradually moves upward, morphing into steps, until it reaches the porch. Porch Detail The multicolored tan stone, used for the risers and retaining walls, is proportionally carried around the base of the house. Horizontal sustainable-fiber cement board replaces the original vertical wood siding, and widens the appearance of the facade. The color scheme — blue-grey siding, cherry-wood door and roof underside, and varied shades of tan and blue stone — is complimented by the crisp-contrasting black accents of the thin-round metal columns, railing, window sashes, and the roof fascia board and gutters. This project is a stunning example of an exterior, that is both asymmetrical and symmetrical. Prior to the renovation, the house had a bland 1970s exterior. Now, it is interesting, unique, and inviting. Photography Credit: Tom Holdsworth Photography Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting

Champion Home

Blue Ridge Custom Homes LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional two-storey blue exterior in Richmond with mixed siding.

Portfolio

MAXLIGHT

Beautiful Maxlight Glass Extension, With Glass beams, allowing in the maximum light and letting out the whole view of the garden. Bespoke, so the scale and size are up to you!

Brentwood

Corr Contemporary Homes

Large contemporary two-storey glass beige house exterior in Los Angeles.

My Own House

Hoffman Grayson Architects LLP

Originally, the front of the house was on the left (eave) side, facing the primary street. Since the Garage was on the narrower, quieter side street, we decided that when we would renovate, we would reorient the front to the quieter side street, and enter through the front Porch. So initially we built the fencing and Pergola entering from the side street into the existing Front Porch. Then in 2003, we pulled off the roof, which enclosed just one large room and a bathroom, and added a full second story. Then we added the gable overhangs to create the effect of a cottage with dormers, so as not to overwhelm the scale of the site. The shingles are stained Cabots Semi-Solid Deck and Siding Oil Stain, 7406, color: Burnt Hickory, and the trim is painted with Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Low Luster Narraganset Green HC-157, (which is actually a dark blue). Photo by Glen Grayson, AIA

Cozy Cottage

Gatling Design

Photo by Ed Gohlich
Design ideas for a small traditional one-storey white house exterior in San Diego with wood siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Cleft House

Form Found Design

Conceived of as a vertical light box, Cleft House features walls made of translucent panels as well as massive sliding window walls. Located on an extremely narrow lot, the clients required contemporary design, waterfront views without loss of privacy, sustainability, and maximizing space within stringent cost control. A modular structural steel frame was used to eliminate the high cost of custom steel.

East Atlanta Ranch Rebuild

Craftbuilt, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary one-storey brick green house exterior in Atlanta with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a grey roof.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

Mid-sized midcentury split-level multi-coloured house exterior in Minneapolis with wood siding and a flat roof.

Custom Home

State College Design & Construction

Designed by Jere McCarthy and constructed by State College Design and Construction.
This is an example of a large country two-storey white house exterior in Other with vinyl siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Whidbey Family Camp

H2D Architecture + Design

This family camp on Whidbey Island is designed with a main cabin and two small sleeping cabins. The main cabin is a one story with a loft and includes two bedrooms and a kitchen. The cabins are arranged in a semi circle around the open meadow. Designed by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com Photos by: Chad Coleman Photography #whidbeyisland #whidbeyislandarchitect #h2darchitects

Reclaimed Brick with Board and Batten Modern Farmhouse on Acreage

Wyrick Residential Design

Inspiration for a large country two-storey white house exterior in Houston with concrete fiberboard siding, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a brown roof and board and batten siding.

Stucco and Reclaimed Brick Modern French Country

Wyrick Residential Design

Photo of a large two-storey brick beige house exterior in Houston with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a brown roof.

Discovery Ridge

Lara Hontzias Interior Design

Check out this incredible backyard space. A complete outdoor kitchen and dining space made perfect for entertainment. This backyard is a private outdoor escape with three separate areas of living. Trees around enclose the yard and we custom selected a beautiful fountain centrepiece.

Limewashing

Coastal Cottage Painting

NATURAL and HEALTHY--STEEPED in HISTORY Whitewashed brick, stone and stucco exteriors are gorgeous with a charming Old-World look and feel. The natural appearance of authentic slaked lime has no equal and is particularly well suited to brick, stone masonry and stucco exterior and interior surfaces. The beauty of lime is in the aging process, as witnessed over countless centuries among the castles and important structures of the Mediterranean regions of Europe. There, countless layers of lime wash provide patina and texture that we can replicate, literally in a single application. Lime occurs naturally and this lime has been aged for 3 years. Slaked lime is unlike any modern acrylic paint finish. It absorbs and calcifies onto the brick making it a mineral-like part of the surface. It naturally breathes and will never peel, blister or flake and requires very little maintenance. Limewash can be applied in a variety of applications giving a one of-a-kind look to your walls and exteriors. And Limewash delivers a unique color and patina that gracefully ages over time developing variations in color and tone. This variable aging process adds to the Old-World drama, becoming more beautiful with time.

First Floor Remodel with Kitchen and Hall Bath

Hillcrest Construction

Mid-sized transitional one-storey yellow house exterior in Philadelphia with vinyl siding, a shed roof, a shingle roof, a brown roof and clapboard siding.

Bluffwater

C. L. Fry Creative

Photo of a mid-sized transitional two-storey stucco white house exterior in Austin with a hip roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Magnolia

sk7 design studios, inc.

Magnolia - Carlsbad, CA 3,000+ sf two-story home, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, plus a connected two-stall garage/ exercise space with bonus room above. Magnolia is a significant transformation of the owner's childhood home. Features like the steep 12:12 metal roofs softening to 3:12 pitches; soft arch-shaped doug fir beams; custom-designed double gable brackets; exaggerated beam extensions; a detached arched/ louvered carport marching along the front of the home; an expansive rear deck with beefy brick bases with quad columns, large protruding arched beams; an arched louvered structure centered on an outdoor fireplace; cased out openings, detailed trim work throughout the home; and many other architectural features have created a unique and elegant home along Highland Ave. in Carlsbad, CA.

Asheville, NC-Contemporary Craftsman

Wright Jenkins Home Design

Mid-sized arts and crafts one-storey black house exterior in Other with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Hill Country Residence

William Webb Architect / Arquitecto

Inspiration for a mid-sized country one-storey beige house exterior in Austin with mixed siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

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.