For this house overlooking a salt water pond, my clients wanted a cozy little cottage, but one with an open floor plan, large public rooms, a sizable eat-in kitchen, four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a den. To create this big house in a small package, we drew upon the Cape Cod tradition with a series of volumes stepping back along the edge of the coastal bank. From the street the house appears as a classic half Cape, but what looks like the main house is only the master suite. The two “additions” that appear behind it contain most of the house. The main entry is from the small farmer’s porch into a surprisingly spacious vaulted stair hall lit by a doghouse dormer and three small windows running up along the stair. The living room, dining room and kitchen are all open to each other, but defined by columns, ceiling beams and the substantial kitchen island. Large windows and glass doors at the back of the house provide views of the water. Upstairs are three more bedrooms including a second master suite with its own fireplace. The extensive millwork, trim, interior doors, paneling, ceiling treatments, stairs, railings and cabinets were all built on site. The construction of the kitchen was the subject of an article in Fine Homebuilding magazine.

Radnor Renovation

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

Angle Eye Photography
Photo of a large traditional two-storey beige exterior in Philadelphia with a hip roof.

Black Windows New Custom House

Unitech Window and Doors

Black Window with Low E/Argon Grey Tinted Glass,
Inspiration for a large transitional two-storey beige house exterior in Toronto with stone veneer.

Desert Escape

Alway Homes

Design ideas for a large country two-storey green exterior in Other with stone veneer.

Pearl Gray James Hardie siding - 6'' exp. Cedarmill Finish.

Smardbuild Construction Inc.

This light neutral comes straight from the softest colors in nature, like sand and seashells. Use it as an understated accent, or for a whole house. Pearl Gray always feels elegant. On this project Smardbuild install 6'' exposure lap siding with Cedarmill finish. Hardie Arctic White trim with smooth finish install with hidden nails system, window header include Hardie 5.5'' Crown Molding. Project include cedar tong and grove porch ceiling custom stained, new Marvin windows, aluminum gutters system. Soffit and fascia system from James Hardie with Arctic White color smooth finish.

Sunnybrook Mediterranean

SHM Architects

Photography: Nathan Schroder
Expansive mediterranean two-storey exterior in Dallas with a gable roof.

Magnificent Mediterranean

Bella Vita Custom Homes & Remodeling

Bella Vita Custom Homes
Mediterranean two-storey beige exterior in Dallas.

Spanish Colonial Revival Makeover - Motor Court

Garden Of Eva Landscape Design Group

Luke Gibson Photography
Photo of a mediterranean exterior in Los Angeles.

Belmar bungalow

place architecture:design

Renovated bungalow to fresh modern house. New cedar shakes painted a dark gray which sets off the white painted trim. New front porch columns, decking with new windows and new rear family room addition. Photo credit: Tracey Kurtz

Outdoor Entertaining & Exterior Farmhouse Remodel

Welsh Construction, Inc.

Master suite includes a second story screened porch with adjacent terrace that overlooks the pool.
Photo of a country exterior in Other.

Home Exterior with Curb Appeal

Lowe's Home Improvement

A classic combination of navy blue and warm white trim maximizes the curb appeal of this two-story charmer. Sunny yellow on the front door and porch swing enhances its personality.

Modern Farmhouse

Duke Homes, Inc.

This update to the traditional farmhouse provides a stately exterior.
This is an example of a large contemporary two-storey brick white house exterior in Indianapolis with a gable roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Modern Two-Story

BUILD

Inspiration for a contemporary two-storey white house exterior in Miami with a flat roof.

Mid century Outdoor Living Remodel

M Prevost Design

Pool view of whole house exterior remodel
Design ideas for a large midcentury two-storey black exterior in San Diego.

Davies

Lauren Shadid Architecture + Interiors

This is an example of a country two-storey white house exterior in Denver with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Dunbarton Ave

CHRISTOPHER LEE FOTO

Design ideas for a country two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Los Angeles with mixed siding, a hip roof and a shingle roof.

守山の家

User

This is an example of a contemporary exterior in Nagoya.

Combe Down Veranda

Lacey Architecture

All things bright and beautiful, all projects great and small. In the run up to Easter, an interesting little project built by clients looking to increase their under-cover outside space, primarily to keep their rabbits happy and comfortable. We can assist with all scale of project, from large new builds to little alterations to your home to improve your quality of life. All projects considered. Iroko structure with a glazed roof, Cotswold Stone side wall and open front. Verity Lacey

Barn Syle Home

Oakbridge Timberframing

This is an example of a country two-storey red exterior in Columbus with a gambrel roof.

Island Passive House

The Artisans Group, Inc.

This prefabricated 1,800 square foot Certified Passive House is designed and built by The Artisans Group, located in the rugged central highlands of Shaw Island, in the San Juan Islands. It is the first Certified Passive House in the San Juans, and the fourth in Washington State. The home was built for $330 per square foot, while construction costs for residential projects in the San Juan market often exceed $600 per square foot. Passive House measures did not increase this projects’ cost of construction. The clients are retired teachers, and desired a low-maintenance, cost-effective, energy-efficient house in which they could age in place; a restful shelter from clutter, stress and over-stimulation. The circular floor plan centers on the prefabricated pod. Radiating from the pod, cabinetry and a minimum of walls defines functions, with a series of sliding and concealable doors providing flexible privacy to the peripheral spaces. The interior palette consists of wind fallen light maple floors, locally made FSC certified cabinets, stainless steel hardware and neutral tiles in black, gray and white. The exterior materials are painted concrete fiberboard lap siding, Ipe wood slats and galvanized metal. The home sits in stunning contrast to its natural environment with no formal landscaping. Photo Credit: Art Gray

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.