This is an example of a modern concrete grey exterior in Other with four or more storeys.

Large brown house exterior in Philadelphia with four or more storeys, mixed siding, a flat roof, a tile roof and clapboard siding.

Eagle Island Remodel

Edgewater Design Group

This is an example of a large traditional blue house exterior in Other with four or more storeys, vinyl siding, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Toole Crossing

DVG Architecture and Planning P.C.

Exterior Facade
Photo of a large contemporary stucco apartment exterior with four or more storeys and a flat roof.

Thimble Island Victorian Home

Joseph Sepot Architects

This Victorian style home was built on the pink granite bedrock of Cut-in-Two Island in the heart of the Thimble Islands archipelago in Long Island Sound. Jim Fiora Photography LLC

Mediterranean Colonial Mansion

Marie Share Interiors

Design ideas for an expansive mediterranean stucco house exterior in Boston with four or more storeys.

Seattle Custom Home 1

Shuler Architecture

Completed in 2019, this is a home we completed for client who initially engaged us to remodeled their 100 year old classic craftsman bungalow on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. During our initial conversation, it became readily apparent that their program was much larger than a remodel could accomplish and the conversation quickly turned toward the design of a new structure that could accommodate a growing family, a live-in Nanny, a variety of entertainment options and an enclosed garage – all squeezed onto a compact urban corner lot. Project entitlement took almost a year as the house size dictated that we take advantage of several exceptions in Seattle’s complex zoning code. After several meetings with city planning officials, we finally prevailed in our arguments and ultimately designed a 4 story, 3800 sf house on a 2700 sf lot. The finished product is light and airy with a large, open plan and exposed beams on the main level, 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 2 powder rooms, 2 fireplaces, 4 climate zones, a huge basement with a home theatre, guest suite, climbing gym, and an underground tavern/wine cellar/man cave. The kitchen has a large island, a walk-in pantry, a small breakfast area and access to a large deck. All of this program is capped by a rooftop deck with expansive views of Seattle’s urban landscape and Lake Union. Unfortunately for our clients, a job relocation to Southern California forced a sale of their dream home a little more than a year after they settled in after a year project. The good news is that in Seattle’s tight housing market, in less than a week they received several full price offers with escalator clauses which allowed them to turn a nice profit on the deal.

North Slope Landmarked Renovation - Rear Facade

Ben Herzog

Design ideas for a brick townhouse exterior in New York with four or more storeys and a flat 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.

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.

Cottage Escape

Wright-Ryan Homes

Inspiration for a large beach style blue house exterior in Portland Maine with four or more storeys, wood siding and shingle siding.

Aria Bay Apartments

Jessica Chloe Photography

Stylish retirement living spaces
This is an example of a contemporary grey apartment exterior in Auckland with four or more storeys, concrete fiberboard siding and a flat roof.

Family Home Refurbishment

Studio 3 Creatives Ltd

Inspiration for an exterior in London with four or more storeys.

Modern Loft Bungalow Exterior Front

John McClain Design

Welcome to the Modern Loft Bungalow! Featuring a mix of eclectic modern, mid-century modern and contemporary styles. The team at John McClain Design was involved with this project where they thoughtfully curated ideas into a design vision that is truly unique. This home features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a loft and two patios nestled within the Hollywood Hills. Keep your eyes wide open for inspiring and fabulous details as you step inside! Photo: Zeke Ruelas

Mid Century Modern Townhouse

Alexander Gorlin Architects

This rare 1950’s glass-fronted townhouse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side underwent a modern renovation to create plentiful space for a family. An additional floor was added to the two-story building, extending the façade vertically while respecting the vocabulary of the original structure. A large, open living area on the first floor leads through to a kitchen overlooking the rear garden. Cantilevered stairs lead to the master bedroom and two children’s rooms on the second floor and continue to a media room and offices above. A large skylight floods the atrium with daylight, illuminating the main level through translucent glass-block floors.

Contemporary House Exterior

Contemporary townhouse exterior in London with four or more storeys.

Tupelo - Duneside Cottage

Visbeen Architects

This four-story cottage bungalow is designed to perch on a steep shoreline, allowing homeowners to get the most out of their space. The main level of the home accommodates gatherings with easy flow between the living room, dining area, kitchen, and outdoor deck. The midlevel offers a lounge, bedroom suite, and the master bedroom, complete with access to a private deck. The family room, kitchenette, and beach bath on the lower level open to an expansive backyard patio and pool area. At the top of the nest is the loft area, which provides a bunk room and extra guest bedroom suite.

Sunset Park Townhouse

Jane Kim Architect

Rear facade with blue scales and a new steel door opening to the cedar deck.
Photo of a contemporary blue townhouse exterior in New York with four or more storeys.

Commercial Structural Power Power Washing

Aqua Pro Power Washers

Power Washing maintenance for commercial property areas varying in type, size and treatment needs.
Inspiration for an expansive contemporary brick apartment exterior in Chicago with four or more storeys.

Copperwood in Princeton

Studio Hillier

Mid-sized contemporary grey apartment exterior in New York with four or more storeys, concrete fiberboard siding, a flat roof, a mixed roof and a grey roof.

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.