Inspiration for a large modern multi-coloured house exterior in Other with four or more storeys, mixed siding, a flat roof, a tile roof and a grey roof.

Arial view of the rear of the house showing the roof deck and new stairs to the

Mark Brand Architecture

For our client, who had previous experience working with architects, we enlarged, completely gutted and remodeled this Twin Peaks diamond in the rough. The top floor had a rear-sloping ceiling that cut off the amazing view, so our first task was to raise the roof so the great room had a uniformly high ceiling. Clerestory windows bring in light from all directions. In addition, we removed walls, combined rooms, and installed floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding doors in sleek black aluminum at each floor to create generous rooms with expansive views. At the basement, we created a full-floor art studio flooded with light and with an en-suite bathroom for the artist-owner. New exterior decks, stairs and glass railings create outdoor living opportunities at three of the four levels. We designed modern open-riser stairs with glass railings to replace the existing cramped interior stairs. The kitchen features a 16 foot long island which also functions as a dining table. We designed a custom wall-to-wall bookcase in the family room as well as three sleek tiled fireplaces with integrated bookcases. The bathrooms are entirely new and feature floating vanities and a modern freestanding tub in the master. Clean detailing and luxurious, contemporary finishes complete the look.

Manomet Bluffs Home Addition/Remodel

Thorson Restoration & Construction

Large beach style multi-coloured house exterior in Boston with four or more storeys, wood siding, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and shingle siding.

Historic Annapolis Renovation

Wiedemann Architects LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional stucco blue house exterior in DC Metro with four or more storeys, a gambrel roof and a grey roof.

Modern on the North End

Moss Builders

Modern Coastal Beach Home custom built by Moss Builders on Anna Maria Island.
Design ideas for a large modern white house exterior in Tampa with four or more storeys.

Wavebreak Residence

Lea Design Studio

Large contemporary white house exterior in Gold Coast - Tweed with four or more storeys and a flat roof.

Findlay Farmhouse

Jamee Parish Architects, LLC

This modern farmhouse is a custom home in Findlay, Ohio.
Large country white house exterior in Columbus with four or more storeys, concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

The Juliette 2021 Parade of Homes Entry

Affinity Homes LLC

Modern Italian home front-facing balcony featuring three outdoor-living areas, six bedrooms, two garages, and a living driveway.
Design ideas for an expansive modern white house exterior in Portland with four or more storeys and a brown roof.

Relaxed family home in Kensington, W8

Jemimah Barnett

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional stucco white townhouse exterior in London with four or more storeys and a butterfly roof.

Matchwood Homes

Citizen Design

Front entry
Modern black house exterior in Seattle with four or more storeys, wood siding, a gable roof, a mixed roof and a black roof.

George B. and Susan Elkins House

nC2 architecture llc

Winner of a NYC Landmarks Conservancy Award for historic preservation, the George B. and Susan Elkins house, dating to approximately 1852, was painstakingly restored, enlarged and modernized in 2019. This building, the oldest remaining house in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, has been recognized by the NYC Landmarks Commission as an Individual Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was essentially a ruin prior to the renovation. Interiors had been gutted, there were gaping holes in the roof and the exterior was badly damaged and covered with layers of non-historic siding. The exterior was completely restored to historically-accurate condition and the extensions at the sides were designed to be distinctly modern but deferential to the historic facade. The new interiors are thoroughly modern and many of the finishes utilize materials reclaimed during demolition.

Blue Jay Way

Hannouche Architects, Inc.

Design ideas for an expansive modern black house exterior in Los Angeles with four or more storeys, mixed siding and a flat roof.

Saltwater Renovation

Market Square Architects PLLC

Design ideas for a scandinavian white house exterior in Boston with four or more storeys, vinyl siding and a shingle roof.

Refurbishment and conversion of listed Victorian house in Sneyd Park, Bristol

DHV Architects

The front garden to this imposing Grade II listed house has been re-designed by DHV Architects to allow for parking for 3 cars, create an entrance with kerb appeal and a private area for relaxing and enjoying the view onto the Durdham Downs. The grey and silver Mediterranean style planting looks immaculate all year around.

Athlone House by SHH - Collaboration project

Valanzza Architecture

Country living in the middle of Hampstead Heath, combining the classic with the contemporary Collaboration in ´Athlone House´ Restoration & Etension project by SHH

Leonhard Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Inspiration for a large beach style grey house exterior in Other with four or more storeys, mixed siding, a gable roof and shingle siding.

Dachgaube im Badezimmer

Sven Wiebe Architekten

This is an example of a mid-sized modern stucco black townhouse exterior in Munich with four or more storeys, a gable roof, a tile roof and a red roof.

RH AP12

Armani Projekt GmbH

Mid-sized contemporary stucco white townhouse exterior in Munich with four or more storeys, a gable roof, a tile roof and a grey roof.

Yungaba Residence

Dani Louis Design

Heritage building, Victorian building
Large traditional white exterior in Brisbane with four or more storeys and a metal roof.

Lighthouse Road Residence

Archology, LLC

Another view of the home from the corner of the lot. The main entry stair is prominent which will help guide people to the front door.
Design ideas for a large eclectic blue house exterior in Other with four or more storeys, vinyl siding, a hip roof, a mixed roof, a black roof and shingle siding.

Exterior Design Ideas with Four or More Storeys

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.