Photo of a large contemporary two-storey house exterior in Perth with a metal roof.

Bank Barns

King Construction Company LLC

Photo of a mid-sized country two-storey brown house exterior in Other with wood siding, a hip roof and a metal roof.

Rear view of remodeled barn in Bucks County

Brett King Builder

Exterior of the remodeled barn. -Randal Bye
Photo of a large country three-storey red exterior in Philadelphia with wood siding and a gable roof.

Rustic Barn

VanderHorn Architects

Inspiration for a large country two-storey brown exterior in New York with wood siding and a gable roof.

Heritage Cabin

RMT Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized country exterior in Denver with wood siding.

Arcadia on the prairie

ADA - arata hatanaka design atelier

Photo of a mid-sized modern three-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Other with stone veneer, a hip roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Private Waterfront Accessory Structures on the Chester River

Purple Cherry Architects

The entertaining barn's terrace provides an intimate seating area in a wood-burning fireplace setting for fall gatherings. It is large enough for a cocktail hour but small enough for s'mores by the fire. The barn terrace overlooks the natural splendor of the tidal marsh and Chester River.

The Modern Barn

Atelier Bond

Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, 'The Modern Barn' is a reflection of it's site. Earthy, honest, and moody materials make this family home a lovely statement piece. With two wings and a central living space, this building brief was executed with maximizing views and creating multiple escapes for family members. Overlooking a west facing escarpment, the deck and pool overlook a stunning hills landscape and completes this building. reminiscent of a barn, but with all the luxuries.

Barndominium

Pinnacle Development Group

Mid-sized country one-storey red house exterior in Houston with metal siding, a hip roof and a metal roof.

Cape Cod Barn and Pool, Orleans, MA

Kimberly Mercurio Landscape Architecture

This modern version of a traditional Cape Cod barn doubles as a pool house with changing rooms and a bath. The pool filtration and mechanical devices are hidden from view behind the barn. The location of the pool equipment reduces noise and maintains a peaceful environment. The indoor/outdoor dining area is open to the bluestone patio. Thyme, is evergreen, is planted between the bluestone pavers. The sliding doors have copper screens and open to provide a view of the backyard of the property.

Montlake Backyard Office

Fivedot

This small project in the Portage Bay neighborhood of Seattle replaced an existing garage with a functional living room. Tucked behind the owner’s traditional bungalow, this modern room provides a retreat from the house and activates the outdoor space between the two buildings. The project houses a small home office as well as an area for watching TV and sitting by the fireplace. In the summer, both doors open to take advantage of the surrounding deck and patio. Photographs by Nataworry Photography

Stone Creek Barns

John Gehri Zerrer

Design ideas for a mid-sized country exterior in New York.

Vineyard Home

Mikiten Architecture

Surrounded by permanently protected open space in the historic winemaking area of the South Livermore Valley, this house presents a weathered wood barn to the road, and has metal-clad sheds behind. The design process was driven by the metaphor of an old farmhouse that had been incrementally added to over the years. The spaces open to expansive views of vineyards and unspoiled hills. Erick Mikiten, AIA

Coneygar Lodge

User

Jonathan Nettleton [Architect at Blake Architects]
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional one-storey exterior in Gloucestershire with stone veneer.

Scandinavian Modern Barn House

Sky Architect Studio

Another new design completed in Pascoe Vale South by our team. Creating this home is an exciting experience, where we blend the design with its existing fantastic site context, every angle from forest view is just breathtaking. Our Architecture design for this home puts emphasis on a modern Barn house, where we create a long rectangular form with a cantilevered balcony on 3rd Storey. Overall, the modern architecture form & material juxtaposed with the natural landscape, bringing the best living experience for our lovely client.

Twilight Converted Barn

Inara Home Imagery

Inspiration for a large country black exterior in Berkshire with mixed siding and a gable roof.

Arcadia on the prairie

ADA - arata hatanaka design atelier

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern three-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Other with stone veneer, a hip roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Converted Dairy Barn

Beck Architecture, Inc.

Inspiration for a large country two-storey red house exterior in Cincinnati with wood siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Inspiration for a large contemporary two-storey house exterior in Perth with a metal roof.

Barn 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.