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.

Warton Residence

Cast Studio

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

PERTOBE

Designing Spaces

Photo of a contemporary exterior in Other.

Kingfisher House

Kai Konstruct

Inspiration for a country exterior in Gold Coast - Tweed.

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.

Urban Lake House

DEMESNE

The simple volumes of this urban lake house give a nod to the existing 1940’s weekend cottages and farmhouses contained in the mature neighborhood on White Rock Lake. The concept is a modern twist on the vernacular within the area by incorporating the use of modern materials such as concrete, steel, and cable. ©Shoot2Sell Photography

Sandalwood transitional

Jamestown Estate Homes

Photo of an expansive transitional two-storey brick white house exterior in Houston with a gable roof and a shingle roof.

"Amplified" Tiny House

Asha Mevlana

Who lives there: Asha Mevlana and her Havanese dog named Bali Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas Size: Main house (400 sq ft), Trailer (160 sq ft.), 1 loft bedroom, 1 bath What sets your home apart: The home was designed specifically for my lifestyle. My inspiration: After reading the book, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying," I got inspired to just live with things that bring me joy which meant scaling down on everything and getting rid of most of my possessions and all of the things that I had accumulated over the years. I also travel quite a bit and wanted to live with just what I needed. About the house: The L-shaped house consists of two separate structures joined by a deck. The main house (400 sq ft), which rests on a solid foundation, features the kitchen, living room, bathroom and loft bedroom. To make the small area feel more spacious, it was designed with high ceilings, windows and two custom garage doors to let in more light. The L-shape of the deck mirrors the house and allows for the two separate structures to blend seamlessly together. The smaller "amplified" structure (160 sq ft) is built on wheels to allow for touring and transportation. This studio is soundproof using recycled denim, and acts as a recording studio/guest bedroom/practice area. But it doesn't just look like an amp, it actually is one -- just plug in your instrument and sound comes through the front marine speakers onto the expansive deck designed for concerts. My favorite part of the home is the large kitchen and the expansive deck that makes the home feel even bigger. The deck also acts as a way to bring the community together where local musicians perform. I love having a the amp trailer as a separate space to practice music. But I especially love all the light with windows and garage doors throughout. Design team: Brian Crabb (designer), Zack Giffin (builder, custom furniture) Vickery Construction (builder) 3 Volve Construction (builder) Design dilemmas: Because the city wasn’t used to having tiny houses there were certain rules that didn’t quite make sense for a tiny house. I wasn’t allowed to have stairs leading up to the loft, only ladders were allowed. Since it was built, the city is beginning to revisit some of the old rules and hopefully things will be changing. Photo cred: Don Shreve

Ridgecrest - Contemporary Craftsman

Visbeen Architects

As a cottage, the Ridgecrest was designed to take full advantage of a property rich in natural beauty. Each of the main houses three bedrooms, and all of the entertaining spaces, have large rear facing windows with thick craftsman style casing. A glance at the front motor court reveals a guesthouse above a three-stall garage. Complete with separate entrance, the guesthouse features its own bathroom, kitchen, laundry, living room and bedroom. The columned entry porch of the main house is centered on the floor plan, but is tucked under the left side of the homes large transverse gable. Centered under this gable is a grand staircase connecting the foyer to the lower level corridor. Directly to the rear of the foyer is the living room. With tall windows and a vaulted ceiling. The living rooms stone fireplace has flanking cabinets that anchor an axis that runs through the living and dinning room, ending at the side patio. A large island anchors the open concept kitchen and dining space. On the opposite side of the main level is a private master suite, complete with spacious dressing room and double vanity master bathroom. Buffering the living room from the master bedroom, with a large built-in feature wall, is a private study. Downstairs, rooms are organized off of a linear corridor with one end being terminated by a shared bathroom for the two lower bedrooms and large entertainment spaces. Photographer: Ashley Avila Photography Builder: Douglas Sumner Builder, Inc. Interior Design: Vision Interiors by Visbeen

Wooden Gate and Fence Projects

Five Stone

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional brick red house exterior in Jacksonville.

Cherry Hills Village Residence

Blueline Architects p.c.

Mid-sized country two-storey white exterior in Denver with wood siding, a metal roof and a white roof.

Split Level Exterior Remodel

DEW Design Company

Cottage stone thin veneer, new LP siding and trim, new Marvin windows with new divided lite patterns, new stained oak front door and light fixtures
Photo of a mid-sized transitional split-level grey house exterior in Chicago with stone veneer, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and clapboard siding.

Keowee Manor

Gabriel Builders Inc.

Lake Keowee estate home with steel doors and windows, large outdoor living with kitchen, chimney pots, legacy home situated on 5 lots on beautiful Lake Keowee in SC

Santa Rosa

Gasparini Custom Homes

Inspiration for an industrial exterior in Austin.

Whole Home Renovation & Addition - Westwood, MA

J.P. Hoffman Design Build

We designed and built a 2-story, 2-stall garage addition on this Cape Cod style home in Westwood, MA. We removed the former breezeway and single-story, 2-stall garage and replaced it with a beautiful and functional design. We replaced the breezeway (which did not connect the garage and house) with a mudroom filled with space and storage (and a powder room) as well as the 2-stall garage and a main suite above. The main suite includes a large bedroom, walk-in closest (hint - those two small dormers you see) and a large main bathroom. Back on the first floor, we relocated a bathroom, renovated the kitchen and above all, improved form, flow and function between spaces. Our team also replaced the deck which offers a perfect combination of indoor/outdoor living.

Southold Exterior

G.B. Construction and Development, Inc.

This charming ranch on the north fork of Long Island received a long overdo update. All the windows were replaced with more modern looking black framed Andersen casement windows. The front entry door and garage door compliment each other with the a column of horizontal windows. The Maibec siding really makes this house stand out while complimenting the natural surrounding. Finished with black gutters and leaders that compliment that offer function without taking away from the clean look of the new makeover. The front entry was given a streamlined entry with Timbertech decking and Viewrail railing. The rear deck, also Timbertech and Viewrail, include black lattice that finishes the rear deck with out detracting from the clean lines of this deck that spans the back of the house. The Viewrail provides the safety barrier needed without interfering with the amazing view of the water.

Wildwood

Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects

This is an example of a contemporary two-storey white house exterior in Portland with wood siding, a flat roof and a mixed roof.

3907 De Longpre

URBAN OPERATIONS

This custom hillside home takes advantage of the terrain in order to provide sweeping views of the local Silver Lake neighborhood. A stepped sectional design provides balconies and outdoor space at every level.

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.