MidCentury Modern Design
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco green house exterior in Other with a gable roof, a grey roof and a metal roof.

SCONSET 1

studio PPARK

Nantucket Beach Home, Photo Credit Matt Kisiday http://mattkisiday.com/

West Huron Street Chicago IL

Progress Builders Inc.

Front Elevation
Photo of a mid-sized traditional two-storey brick red townhouse exterior in Chicago.

THE HIDEAWAY RETREAT

Empire Building Company

Introducing Our Latest Masterpiece – The Hideaway Retreat - 7 Locke Crescent East Fremantle Open Times- see our website When it comes to seeing potential in a building project there are few specialists more adept at putting it all together than Andre and the team at Empire Building Company. We invite you to come on in and view just what attention to detail looks like. During a visit we can outline for you why we selected this block of land, our response to it from a design perspective and the completed outcome a double storey elegantly crafted residence focussing on the likely occupiers needs and lifestyle. In today’s market place the more flexible a home is in form and function the more desirable it will be to live in. This has the dual effect of enhancing lifestyle for its occupants and making the home desirable to a broad market at time of sale and in so doing preserving value. “From the street the home has a bold presence. Once you step inside, the interior has been designed to have a calming retreat feel to accommodate a modern family, executive or retiring couple or even a family considering having their ageing parents move in.” Andre Malecky A hallmark of this home, not uncommon when developing in a residential infill location is the clever integration of engineering solutions to the home’s construction. At Empire we revel in this type of construction and design challenged situations and we go to extraordinary lengths to get the solution that best fits budget, timeliness and living amenity. In this home our solution was to employ a two-level strategic geometric design with a specifically engineered cantilevered roof that provides essential amenity but serves to accentuate the façade. Whilst the best solution for this home was to demolish and build brand new, this is not always the case. At Empire we have extensive experience is working with clients in renovating their existing home and transforming it into their dream home. This home was strategically positioned to maximise available views, northern exposure and natural light into the residence. Energy Efficiency has been considered for the end user by introduction of double-glazed windows, Velux roof window, insulated roof panels, ceiling and wall insulation, solar panels and even comes with a 3Ph electric car charge point in the opulently tiled garage. Some of the latest user-friendly automation, electronics and appliances will also make the living experience very satisfying. We invite you to view our latest show home and to discuss with us your current living challenges and aspirations. Being a custom boutique builder, we assess your situation, the block, the current structure and look for ways to maximise the full potential of the location, topography and design brief.

Modern Farmhouse

Elliott Johnson Photographer

Design ideas for a country exterior in San Luis Obispo.

Jasmine

Vermillion Interiors

Andy Gould
Photo of an expansive midcentury one-storey brick beige house exterior in Raleigh with a flat roof and a shingle roof.

Custom Homes by Deer Creek Homes

Deer Creek Homes, Inc.

Painted brick exterior with arched window repeated over door, the second floor window above it, and the front window. Sidelights on front door and second floor dormer. Third floor dormers and metal roof accents.

Transitional in Frisco's Hills of Kingswood

Bella Custom Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a transitional exterior in Dallas.

Louisa, San Clemente Coastal Modern Architecture

Eyoh Design

Louisa, San Clemente Coastal Modern Architecture The brief for this modern coastal home was to create a place where the clients and their children and their families could gather to enjoy all the beauty of living in Southern California. Maximizing the lot was key to unlocking the potential of this property so the decision was made to excavate the entire property to allow natural light and ventilation to circulate through the lower level of the home. A courtyard with a green wall and olive tree act as the lung for the building as the coastal breeze brings fresh air in and circulates out the old through the courtyard. The concept for the home was to be living on a deck, so the large expanse of glass doors fold away to allow a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoors and feeling of being out on the deck is felt on the interior. A huge cantilevered beam in the roof allows for corner to completely disappear as the home looks to a beautiful ocean view and Dana Point harbor in the distance. All of the spaces throughout the home have a connection to the outdoors and this creates a light, bright and healthy environment. Passive design principles were employed to ensure the building is as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels keep the building off the grid and and deep overhangs help in reducing the solar heat gains of the building. Ultimately this home has become a place that the families can all enjoy together as the grand kids create those memories of spending time at the beach. Images and Video by Aandid Media.

Newport Shores Residence

Eric Aust Architect

Design ideas for a beach style two-storey grey house exterior in Orange County with wood siding and a metal roof.

British Bermuda

Design West

Contemporary Naples home blends coastal style with green features and punches of feminine elegance. The home is unique in its two-story courtyard style, but encompasses plenty of coastal touches inside and out. Unique features of the home also include its green elements, such as solar panels on the roof to take advantage of the natural power of Florida’s sun, and attention to detail

Wardour

Bayview Builders

Coastal style home
Beach style blue house exterior in Baltimore with a mixed roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Brookhaven New Home

Christopher A Young - HouseSmith LLC

Design ideas for a large transitional two-storey brick white house exterior in Atlanta with a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Mediterranean Exterior

Photo of a mediterranean split-level beige house exterior in Other with a hip roof and a shingle roof.

Retro Beach House

Dasher Hurst Architects PA

Design ideas for a large modern two-storey stucco house exterior in Jacksonville with a flat roof and a white roof.

Comfort Custom Home

Curry Creek Homes

This is an example of a country exterior in Austin.

Seaside Custom Homes | Hilton Head Home Builder

Lowcountry Home Builders

Seaside Custom Homes builds gorgeous residential homes in the Hilton Head Lowcountry area.
Photo of a beach style two-storey grey house exterior in Charleston with a hip roof and a shingle roof.

Rhoden Island Drive

Patrick Brickman

Patrick Brickman
Inspiration for a transitional three-storey white house exterior in Charleston with stone veneer, a gable roof and a metal roof.

North Star Ranch

Miller-Roodell Architects Ltd

Juxtaposing a Southern Colorado setting with a Moorish feel, North Star Ranch explores a distinctive Mediterranean architectural style in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The owner raises cutting horses, but has spent much of her free time traveling the world. She has brought art and artifacts from those journeys into her home, and they work in combination to establish an uncommon mood. The stone floor, stucco and plaster walls, troweled stucco exterior, and heavy beam and trussed ceilings welcome guests as they enter the home. Open spaces for socializing, both outdoor and in, are what those guests experience but to ensure the owner's privacy, certain spaces such as the master suite and office can be essentially 'locked off' from the rest of the home. Even in the context of the region's extraordinary rock formations, North Star Ranch conveys a strong sense of personality.

Raykon Parade Home 2019 - Springville Modern Farmhouse

Hearth and Home Distributors of Utah, LLC. (HHDU)

Large country white house exterior in Salt Lake City with mixed 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.