Paul Sivley Photography
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey glass exterior in Portland.

Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern Block Privacy Wall

1950s concrete block privacy wall on front of Palm Springs mid-century modern house. Greg Hoppe photographed all images.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco beige exterior in Los Angeles.

Ahlbrandt Residence

Ryan Thewes Architect

Exterior view of a mid century modern inspired home in Nashville, Tennessee featuring a courtyard with exposed concrete block and clerestory windows.
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey grey exterior in Nashville with mixed siding and a shed roof.

Alexandria Whole Home

Synergy Design & Construction

Immediately upon purchasing their new 1960 home, our clients painted the exterior brick an inviting light yellow, upgraded their landscaping, and added window boxes and a new mail box for a homey look.

Alexander Estates 2716

Mãkena Interiors

Mid-century inspired flat top home in Alexander Estates II Palm Springs.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco beige exterior in Other.

Our 1954 Mid Century Ranch Home, Napa, CA

Michelle

Completed front, with half of asphalt driveway taken out and replaced with concrete padding, a gravel path and landscaping. Landscape architecture designed by Roche + Roche

Point Lonsdale II

Stonehouse + Irons Architecture

The exterior draws from mid-century elements of , floor to ceiling windows, geometric and low roof forms and elements of materials to reflect the uses behind. concrete blocks turned on their edge create a veil of privacy from the street while maintaining visual connection to the native garden to the front. Timber is used between the concrete walls in combination with timber framed windows.

midcentury made new

Interior Changes home design & consulting

The Exterior got a facelift too! The stained and painted componants marry the fabulous stone selected by the new homeowners for their RE-DO!
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury split-level grey house exterior in Milwaukee with mixed siding, a shed roof and a shingle roof.

Ultimate Split-Level

Gill Design Co.

Designed around the sunset downtown views from the living room with open-concept living, the split-level layout provides gracious spaces for entertaining, and privacy for family members to pursue distinct pursuits.

Lake Ridge View // Midcentury Modern

Younger Homes

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey grey house exterior in Austin with stone veneer, a flat roof and a metal roof.

Ranch 31 Exterior - Mid-Century Modern Ranch in the Catskill Mountains

Charles Petersheim, Builder

Exterior of this modern country ranch home in the forests of the Catskill mountains. Black clapboard siding and huge picture windows.
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey black exterior in New York with wood siding and a shed roof.

Northwood, Royal Oak, MI Exterior Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

The façade is entirely new with a hanging metal porch roof, rain screen siding detail, epoxy stained brick and limestone along with new windows, doors, and a gorgeous color palette.

Sunset Hills

Hsu McCullough

Backyard at dusk Landscape design by Meg Rushing Coffee Photo by Dan Arnold
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco black house exterior in Los Angeles with a hip roof and a shingle roof.

San Carlos Mid-Century Modern Remodel

Klopf Architecture

Mariko Reed
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey brown house exterior in San Francisco with wood siding and a flat roof.

Modern Porch

place architecture:design

The shape of the angled porch-roof, sets the tone for a truly modern entryway. This protective covering makes a dramatic statement, as it hovers over the front door. The blue-stone terrace conveys even more interest, as it gradually moves upward, morphing into steps, until it reaches the porch. Porch Detail The multicolored tan stone, used for the risers and retaining walls, is proportionally carried around the base of the house. Horizontal sustainable-fiber cement board replaces the original vertical wood siding, and widens the appearance of the facade. The color scheme — blue-grey siding, cherry-wood door and roof underside, and varied shades of tan and blue stone — is complimented by the crisp-contrasting black accents of the thin-round metal columns, railing, window sashes, and the roof fascia board and gutters. This project is a stunning example of an exterior, that is both asymmetrical and symmetrical. Prior to the renovation, the house had a bland 1970s exterior. Now, it is interesting, unique, and inviting. Photography Credit: Tom Holdsworth Photography Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting

Orange Slice Mid-Century Modern

Moderne Builders

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey white exterior in Los Angeles with mixed siding.

Bel Air Modern

Koffka Phakos Design

Landscape Design by Ryan Gates and Joel Lichtenwalter, www.growoutdoordesign.com
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey concrete house exterior in Los Angeles with a flat roof.

Lynwood Mid-Century Modern

Cadence Design Studio

Photo by JC Buck
Mid-sized midcentury split-level grey house exterior in Denver with wood siding.

Kirkland Mid Century Modern

CTA Design Builders, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey grey house exterior in Seattle with a gable roof and a metal roof.

Stuyvessant Residence

Young & Young Architects

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey brick beige house exterior in Detroit with a hip roof.

Mid-sized Midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.