Photo of a contemporary exterior in Other.

Kingfisher House

Kai Konstruct

Inspiration for a country exterior in Gold Coast - Tweed.

Warton Residence

Cast Studio

Photography: Acorn Photography - Rob Frith Media Styling: Jo Carmichael Interiors
Photo of a contemporary exterior in Perth.

Essendon - Deco House

Dean Dyson Architects

In our Deco House Essendon project we pay homage to the 1940's with Art Deco style elements in this stunning design.
Photo of a large contemporary two-storey brick house exterior in Melbourne with a metal roof.

Hood House

Mihaly Slocombe

Hood House is a playful protector that respects the heritage character of Carlton North whilst celebrating purposeful change. It is a luxurious yet compact and hyper-functional home defined by an exploration of contrast: it is ornamental and restrained, subdued and lively, stately and casual, compartmental and open. For us, it is also a project with an unusual history. This dual-natured renovation evolved through the ownership of two separate clients. Originally intended to accommodate the needs of a young family of four, we shifted gears at the eleventh hour and adapted a thoroughly resolved design solution to the needs of only two. From a young, nuclear family to a blended adult one, our design solution was put to a test of flexibility. The result is a subtle renovation almost invisible from the street yet dramatic in its expressive qualities. An oblique view from the northwest reveals the playful zigzag of the new roof, the rippling metal hood. This is a form-making exercise that connects old to new as well as establishing spatial drama in what might otherwise have been utilitarian rooms upstairs. A simple palette of Australian hardwood timbers and white surfaces are complimented by tactile splashes of brass and rich moments of colour that reveal themselves from behind closed doors. Our internal joke is that Hood House is like Lazarus, risen from the ashes. We’re grateful that almost six years of hard work have culminated in this beautiful, protective and playful house, and so pleased that Glenda and Alistair get to call it home.

Archello - Kingsford

Nathalie Scipioni Architects

https://archello.com/project/kingsford-project

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary two-storey black house exterior in Geelong with a flat roof.

BONDI BOMBORA

ATELIER ALWILL

Photo of a contemporary exterior in Sydney.

Bungalow Expansion

Red House Architects

The front porch of the existing house remained. It made a good proportional guide for expanding the 2nd floor. The master bathroom bumps out to the side. And, hand sawn wood brackets hold up the traditional flying-rafter eaves. Max Sall Photography

Beck Lake House

John M. Holmes Architect

Stephen Ironside
Design ideas for a large country two-storey grey house exterior in Birmingham with a shed roof, metal siding and a metal roof.

Craftsman Greenville Home

Evergreen Custom Construction

Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts two-storey green house exterior in Other with mixed siding and a gable roof.

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Northeast Elevation reveals private deck, dog run, and entry porch overlooking Pier Cove Valley to the north - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan, Saugutuck, Michigan, Douglas Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Point Loma Addition Remodel

Lars Remodeling & Design

The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.

Modern Craftsman

Jonathan Miller Architects

Inspiration for an arts and crafts two-storey brick grey house exterior in Other with a mixed roof and a gable roof.

Lake of the Isles

Regarding Design

Sumptuous spaces are created throughout the house with the use of dark, moody colors, elegant upholstery with bespoke trim details, unique wall coverings, and natural stone with lots of movement. The mix of print, pattern, and artwork creates a modern twist on traditional design.

McCracken Point: Craftsman Lake Home

Timberlake Custom Homes

This Craftsman lake view home is a perfectly peaceful retreat. It features a two story deck, board and batten accents inside and out, and rustic stone details.

Starbuck Landing

OklaHome

Inspiration for a country one-storey white house exterior in Oklahoma City with wood siding and board and batten siding.

Not Your Grandfather's Barn! A Modern Pole Barn House in Lauderdale Lake Area

Stebnitz Builders, Inc.

This 2,500 square-foot home, combines the an industrial-meets-contemporary gives its owners the perfect place to enjoy their rustic 30- acre property. Its multi-level rectangular shape is covered with corrugated red, black, and gray metal, which is low-maintenance and adds to the industrial feel. Encased in the metal exterior, are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and an aging-in-place suite that is made for the in-laws. This home also boasts two garage doors that open up to a sunroom that brings our clients close nature in the comfort of their own home. The flooring is polished concrete and the fireplaces are metal. Still, a warm aesthetic abounds with mixed textures of hand-scraped woodwork and quartz and spectacular granite counters. Clean, straight lines, rows of windows, soaring ceilings, and sleek design elements form a one-of-a-kind, 2,500 square-foot home

Craftsman Exterior

This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts one-storey green exterior in Portland with wood siding.

Riverside Residence

Moore Architects, PC

The new house sits back from the suburban road, a pipe-stem lot hidden in the trees. The owner/building had requested a modern, clean statement of his residence. A single rectangular volume houses the main program: living, dining, kitchen to the north, garage, private bedrooms and baths to the south. Secondary building blocks attached to the west and east faces contain special places: entry, stair, music room and master bath. The modern vocabulary of the house is a careful delineation of the parts - cantilevering roofs lift and extend beyond the planar stucco, siding and glazed wall surfaces. Where the house meets ground, crushed stone along the perimeter base mimics the roof lines above, the sharply defined edges of lawn held away from the foundation. It's the movement through the volumes of space, along surfaces, and out into the landscape, that unifies the house. ProArc Photography

All Siding Materials 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.