The rear extension is expressed as a simple gable form. The addition steps out to the full width of the block, and accommodates a second bathroom in addition to a tiny shed accessed on the rear facade. The remaining 2/3 of the facade is expressed as a recessed opening with sliding doors and a gable window.

Westway Residence

L. Lumpkins Architect, Inc.

Named one the 10 most Beautiful Houses in Dallas
Photo of a large beach style two-storey grey house exterior in Dallas with wood siding, a gambrel roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Dover Shingle House

Chace Architecture

Traditional two-storey grey house exterior in Boston with a gambrel roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Lone Ash Lookout

Cushman Design Group

This is an example of a large transitional two-storey grey house exterior in Burlington with a gambrel roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

accessory dwelling unit plans

threadgold architecture + construction

These contemporary accessory dwelling unit plans deliver an indoor-outdoor living space consisting of an open-plan kitchen, dining, living, laundry as also include two bedrooms all contained in 753 square feet. The design also incorporates 452 square feet of alfresco and terrace sun drenched external area are ideally suited to extended family visits or a separate artist’s studio. The size of the accessory dwelling unit plans harmonize with the local authority planning schemes that contain clauses for secondary ancillary dwellings. When correctly orientated on the site, the raking ceilings of the accessory dwelling unit plans conform to passive solar design principles and ensure solar heat gain during the cooler winter months. The accessory dwelling unit plans recognize the importance on sustainability and energy-efficient design principles, achieving passive solar design principles by catching the winter heat gain when the sun is at lower azimuth and storing the radiant energy in the thermal mass of the reinforced concrete slab that operates as the heat sink. The calculated sun shading eliminates the worst of the summer heat gain through the accessory dwelling unit plans fenestration while awning highlight windows vent stale hot air along the southern elevation employing ‘stack effect’ ventilation.

Strathisla

Fiddes Architects

The main body of the house, running east / west with a 40 degree roof pitch, roof windows and dormers makes up the primary accommodation with a 1 & 3/4 storey massing. The garage and rear lounge create an additional wrap around form on the north east corner while the living room forms a gabled extrusion on the south face of the main body. The living area takes advantage of sunlight throughout the day thanks to a large glazed gable. This gable, along with other windows, allow light to penetrate deep into the plan throughout the year, particularly in the winter months when natural daylight is limited. Materials are used to purposely break up the elevations and emphasise changes in use or projections from the main, white house facade. The large projections accommodating the garage and open plan living area are wrapped in Quartz Grey Zinc Standing Seam roofing and cladding which continues to wrap around the rear corner extrusion off the main building. Vertical larch cladding with mid grey vacuum coating is used to differentiate smaller projections from the main form. The principal entrance, dormers and the external wall to the rear lounge provide a contrasting break in materials between the extruded forms and the different purpose of the spaces within.

Entertainer's Dream - Front

Bohannon Design Team

Double door entrance
Design ideas for a mid-sized country one-storey grey house exterior in Dallas with stone veneer, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Leonhard Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Large beach style grey house exterior in Other with four or more storeys, wood siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Nocona Barndominium

First Choice Custom Builders

Custom Barndominium
Inspiration for a mid-sized country one-storey grey house exterior in Austin with metal siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Bayside Lake Retreat

DePietro Design Associates

Photo of an arts and crafts two-storey grey house exterior in Chicago with a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Edificio unifamiliare FG

BURNAZZI FELTRIN ARCHITETTI

Design ideas for a scandinavian three-storey grey house exterior in Other with wood siding, a gable roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Forever Ranch

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

This is the renovated design which highlights the vaulted ceiling that projects through to the exterior.
Photo of a small midcentury one-storey grey house exterior in Chicago with concrete fiberboard siding, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Rainbow

WEST BAY HOMES real estate development

This is an example of a traditional two-storey grey house exterior in Minneapolis with a gable roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Lakeside Getaway

RLH Studio

Spacecrafting Photography
Design ideas for a large beach style two-storey grey house exterior in Minneapolis with concrete fiberboard siding, a hip roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Oceanfront Cottage in Stone Harbor

OSK Design Partners, PA

Mid-sized beach style two-storey grey house exterior in Philadelphia with wood siding, a gambrel roof, a shingle roof, a grey roof and shingle siding.

Modern Adu in Del Rey, Alexandria, Virginia

Four Brothers Design + Build

Design ideas for a small transitional grey exterior in DC Metro with wood siding, a metal roof and a grey roof.

B41 - Lichtdurchflutetes Wohnhaus mit Klinker- und Holzfassade

FINKE BAUKUNST

Als Kontrast zu dem warmen Klinkerstein sind die Giebelseiten mit grauem Lärchenholz verkleidet. Foto: Ziegelei Hebrok
Mid-sized contemporary grey house exterior in Other with wood siding, a gable roof, a tile roof, a grey roof and clapboard siding.

Modern Mountain Craftsman

Scott Simpson Design + Build

A minimal landscape treatment prioritizes the native plants and trees of the back woods, and a monochromatic color scheme on the exterior camouflage the home into the surroundings, making the home appear to rise right out of the Earth

Arroyo Grande Modern Farmhouse

Gast Architects

This is an example of a large country two-storey grey house exterior in San Luis Obispo with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Good Hart Cottage Remodel

Edgewater Design Group

The client came to us to assist with transforming their small family cabin into a year-round residence that would continue the family legacy. The home was originally built by our client’s grandfather so keeping much of the existing interior woodwork and stone masonry fireplace was a must. They did not want to lose the rustic look and the warmth of the pine paneling. The view of Lake Michigan was also to be maintained. It was important to keep the home nestled within its surroundings. There was a need to update the kitchen, add a laundry & mud room, install insulation, add a heating & cooling system, provide additional bedrooms and more bathrooms. The addition to the home needed to look intentional and provide plenty of room for the entire family to be together. Low maintenance exterior finish materials were used for the siding and trims as well as natural field stones at the base to match the original cabin’s charm.

Grey Exterior Design Ideas with a Grey 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.