Design ideas for a country brown exterior in Other with a gable roof and a black roof.

This is an example of a small traditional one-storey yellow house exterior in Milwaukee with vinyl siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and clapboard siding.

Modern Lodge

Cannarsa Structure and Design

Photo of a country multi-coloured house exterior in Grand Rapids with mixed siding, a shingle roof and a black roof.

Eclectic Transitional Home on Acreage

Wyrick Residential Design

This is an example of a large eclectic two-storey white house exterior in Houston with painted brick siding, a hip roof, a mixed roof and a black roof.

Eye-Land at White Oaks Savanna

CHRISTOPHER STROM ARCHITECTS

Eye-Land: Named for the expansive white oak savanna views, this beautiful 5,200-square foot family home offers seamless indoor/outdoor living with five bedrooms and three baths, and space for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. The site posed unique design challenges. The home was ultimately nestled into the hillside, instead of placed on top of the hill, so that it didn’t dominate the dramatic landscape. The openness of the savanna exposes all sides of the house to the public, which required creative use of form and materials. The home’s one-and-a-half story form pays tribute to the site’s farming history. The simplicity of the gable roof puts a modern edge on a traditional form, and the exterior color palette is limited to black tones to strike a stunning contrast to the golden savanna. The main public spaces have oversized south-facing windows and easy access to an outdoor terrace with views overlooking a protected wetland. The connection to the land is further strengthened by strategically placed windows that allow for views from the kitchen to the driveway and auto court to see visitors approach and children play. There is a formal living room adjacent to the front entry for entertaining and a separate family room that opens to the kitchen for immediate family to gather before and after mealtime.

Scandinavian Modern Exterior

10K Architecture

10K designed this new construction home for a family of four who relocated to a serene, tranquil, and heavily wooded lot in Shorewood. Careful siting of the home preserves existing trees, is sympathetic to existing topography and drainage of the site, and maximizes views from gathering spaces and bedrooms to the lake. Simple forms with a bold black exterior finish contrast the light and airy interior spaces and finishes. Sublime moments and connections to nature are created through the use of floor to ceiling windows, long axial sight lines through the house, skylights, a breezeway between buildings, and a variety of spaces for work, play, and relaxation.

Contemporary Barndominium

Madigan Custom Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary barndominium
Design ideas for a large contemporary one-storey white house exterior in Austin with stone veneer, a metal roof and a black roof.

Three-Generation Retreat

Interior Enhancement Group, Inc.

Are you thinking of buying, building or updating a second home? We have worked with clients in Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Texas and Colorado, and we would love to collaborate with you on your home-away-from-home. Contact Kelly Guinaugh at 847-705-9569.

Hathaway Point Lake Cottage

Bickford Construction Corporation

Lake Cottage Porch, standing seam metal roofing and cedar shakes blend into the Vermont fall foliage. Simple and elegant. Photos by Susan Teare
Design ideas for a country one-storey exterior in Burlington with wood siding, a metal roof and a black roof.

Atomic Ranch MCM Main House

Breathe Design Studio

Our Austin studio decided to go bold with this project by ensuring that each space had a unique identity in the Mid-Century Modern style bathroom, butler's pantry, and mudroom. We covered the bathroom walls and flooring with stylish beige and yellow tile that was cleverly installed to look like two different patterns. The mint cabinet and pink vanity reflect the mid-century color palette. The stylish knobs and fittings add an extra splash of fun to the bathroom. The butler's pantry is located right behind the kitchen and serves multiple functions like storage, a study area, and a bar. We went with a moody blue color for the cabinets and included a raw wood open shelf to give depth and warmth to the space. We went with some gorgeous artistic tiles that create a bold, intriguing look in the space. In the mudroom, we used siding materials to create a shiplap effect to create warmth and texture – a homage to the classic Mid-Century Modern design. We used the same blue from the butler's pantry to create a cohesive effect. The large mint cabinets add a lighter touch to the space. --- Project designed by the Atomic Ranch featured modern designers at Breathe Design Studio. From their Austin design studio, they serve an eclectic and accomplished nationwide clientele including in Palm Springs, LA, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For more about Breathe Design Studio, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://www.breathedesignstudio.com/atomic-ranch

Ansicht Vorgarten

PFEIFFER ARCHITEKTUR

Foto: Katja Velmans
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary two-storey stucco white duplex exterior in Dusseldorf with a gable roof, a tile roof and a black roof.

Arrowhead Farmhouse

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

With expansive fields and beautiful farmland surrounding it, this historic farmhouse celebrates these views with floor-to-ceiling windows from the kitchen and sitting area. Originally constructed in the late 1700’s, the main house is connected to the barn by a new addition, housing a master bedroom suite and new two-car garage with carriage doors. We kept and restored all of the home’s existing historic single-pane windows, which complement its historic character. On the exterior, a combination of shingles and clapboard siding were continued from the barn and through the new addition.

Custom Brookhaven Home

Vincent Longo Custom Builders

Willet Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional three-storey brick white house exterior in Atlanta with a gable roof, a mixed roof and a black roof.

Rustic Exterior

This is an example of a mid-sized country one-storey black house exterior in Vancouver with wood siding, a shed roof, a metal roof and a black roof.

Scenic Retreat

Kelley Design Group

Modern farmhouse home design with black board and batten siding with natural stone.
Design ideas for a country two-storey black house exterior in Austin with a black roof and board and batten siding.

Porches

Architrave

Design ideas for an expansive traditional three-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Charleston with wood siding, a shingle roof, a black roof and shingle siding.

Exterior, Brooklyn brownstone

Crimson-Catskills

Exterior, Brooklyn brownstone Rosie McCobb Photography
Photo of a traditional three-storey white townhouse exterior in New York with stone veneer, a flat roof, a mixed roof and a black roof.

Samsonite

Enfort Homes

Seattle Modern Home Exterior. Kirkland, WA New Construction. Enfort Homes.
Large contemporary house exterior in Seattle with wood siding and a black roof.

Easton-16312

Landmark Fine Homes

This is an example of a brick brown house exterior in Oklahoma City with a shingle roof and a black roof.

Hauraki House

Jessica Chloe Photography

Light plays well across the building all day
Inspiration for a large contemporary three-storey brown house exterior in Auckland with wood siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Exterior Design Ideas with a Black Roof

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.