Nestled in the mountains at Lake Nantahala in western North Carolina, this secluded mountain retreat was designed for a couple and their two grown children. The house is dramatically perched on an extreme grade drop-off with breathtaking mountain and lake views to the south. To maximize these views, the primary living quarters is located on the second floor; entry and guest suites are tucked on the ground floor. A grand entry stair welcomes you with an indigenous clad stone wall in homage to the natural rock face. The hallmark of the design is the Great Room showcasing high cathedral ceilings and exposed reclaimed wood trusses. Grand views to the south are maximized through the use of oversized picture windows. Views to the north feature an outdoor terrace with fire pit, which gently embraced the rock face of the mountainside.

Contemporary Exterior

Contemporary green exterior in San Francisco.

Scott's Lake House

Bassett Furniture Design Studio

Interior designer Scott Dean's home on Sun Valley Lake
Photo of a mid-sized traditional three-storey green exterior in Other with mixed siding and a gable roof.

Winning Homearama design

Carini Engineering Designs

2340 square foot residence in craftsman style with private master suite, coffered ceilings and 3-car garage.
Inspiration for a large traditional one-storey green house exterior in New York with mixed siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Courtyard House

Architectural Collaborative

Painted fiber cement siding, concrete block and accents of stained cypress keep the exterior of this courtyard style home contemporary, durable and affordable.

Lake O'Brien 1 - Exterior Lakeside

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

This is an example of a country two-storey green exterior in Minneapolis with wood siding.

Cottage Portico

WINN Design+Build

This cute green cottage started out as a brick "shoebox". A large gable was framed over the front to visually shorten the facade. In addition, a box bay and portico were added. The stained pea-soup cedar shakes with rusty-red trim finish the look.

Transitional Victorian

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

“A home should reflect the people who live in it,” says Mat Cummings of Cummings Architects. In this case, the home in question is the one where he and his family live, and it reflects their warm and creative personalities perfectly. From unique windows and circular rooms with hand-painted ceiling murals to distinctive indoor balcony spaces and a stunning outdoor entertaining space that manages to feel simultaneously grand and intimate, this is a home full of special details and delightful surprises. The design marries casual sophistication with smart functionality resulting in a home that is perfectly suited to everyday living and entertaining.

Narrow on the Lake

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Mark Hoyle
Mid-sized arts and crafts three-storey green exterior in Other with wood siding and a gable roof.

Woodland Residence

Moore Architects, PC

The renovation of the Woodland Residence centered around two basic ideas. The first was to open the house to light and views of the surrounding woods. The second, due to a limited budget, was to minimize the amount of new footprint while retaining as much of the existing structure as possible. The existing house was in dire need of updating. It was a warren of small rooms with long hallways connecting them. This resulted in dark spaces that had little relationship to the exterior. Most of the non bearing walls were demolished in order to allow for a more open concept while dividing the house into clearly defined private and public areas. The new plan is organized around a soaring new cathedral space that cuts through the center of the house, containing the living and family room spaces. A new screened porch extends the family room through a large folding door - completely blurring the line between inside and outside. The other public functions (dining and kitchen) are located adjacently. A massive, off center pivoting door opens to a dramatic entry with views through a new open staircase to the trees beyond. The new floor plan allows for views to the exterior from virtually any position in the house, which reinforces the connection to the outside. The open concept was continued into the kitchen where the decision was made to eliminate all wall cabinets. This allows for oversized windows, unusual in most kitchens, to wrap the corner dissolving the sense of containment. A large, double-loaded island, capped with a single slab of stone, provides the required storage. A bar and beverage center back up to the family room, allowing for graceful gathering around the kitchen. Windows fill as much wall space as possible; the effect is a comfortable, completely light-filled room that feels like it is nestled among the trees. It has proven to be the center of family activity and the heart of the residence. Hoachlander Davis Photography

Fruit Valley Primary Suite Addition

Neil Kelly Company

This view of the side of the home shows two entry doors to the new addition as well as the owners' private deck and hot tub.
Photo of a large eclectic two-storey green house exterior in Portland with mixed siding, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a brown roof and shingle siding.

Inner-city suburban tiny house

Tiny House Company

A freshly planted garden is now starting to take off. By the end of summer the house should feel properly integrated into the existing site and garden.

Oak Hill Craftsman

Marilyn Hill Interiors

Photo of a mid-sized transitional three-storey green exterior in Nashville with mixed siding.

Gracious front porch

Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, Inc.

Small arts and crafts two-storey green exterior in DC Metro with wood siding and a gable roof.

Exterior

Snap ADU

Stucco exterior.
This is an example of a small traditional one-storey stucco green exterior in San Diego with a gable roof, a shingle roof and a black roof.

Triple Crown Outdoor Living

12/12 Architects & Planners

This Arts and Crafts gem was built in 1907 and remains primarily intact, both interior and exterior, to the original design. The owners, however, wanted to maximize their lush lot and ample views with distinct outdoor living spaces. We achieved this by adding a new front deck with partially covered shade trellis and arbor, a new open-air covered front porch at the front door, and a new screened porch off the existing Kitchen. Coupled with the renovated patio and fire-pit areas, there are a wide variety of outdoor living for entertaining and enjoying their beautiful yard.

Torch Lake (Rapid City) Timber Design

Edgewater Design Group

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

The Double-barreled Shotgun

Carl Mattison Design

The front exterior after
Design ideas for a small traditional one-storey green house exterior in Atlanta with wood siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Paradise Key South Beach

Glenn Layton Homes

Photo of a beach style two-storey green house exterior in Jacksonville with mixed siding, a hip roof, a metal roof and a white roof.

Wheaton, IL, Siding James Hardie Siding

Siding & Windows Group Ltd

James Hardie Siding, Wheaton, IL remodeled home. Siding & Windows Group installed James HardiePlank Select Cedarmill Siding in ColorPlus Color Mountain Sage and HardieTrim Smooth Boards in Arctic White. Also replaced Windows with Simonton Windows and Front Entry Door with ProVia Signet Front Entry Door Full Wood Frame with Sidelights.

Green 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.