Midcentury Modern Carport & Gated Entry.
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco white exterior in Phoenix with a gable roof.

Westshire Atrium

M3LD

Photographer: Kirsten Hepburn
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury two-storey brown exterior in Salt Lake City with wood siding and a flat roof.

Midcentury Remod & Addition

gordon architecture, inc.

New front entry with new canopy cover. An existing mid-century ranch was given a new lease on life with a whole house remodel and addition. An existing sunken living room had the floor raised and the front entry was relocated to make room for a complete master suite. The roof/ceiling over the entry and stair was raised with multiple clerestory lights introducing light into the center of the home. Finally, a compartmentalized existing layout was converted to an open plan with the kitchen/dining/living areas sharing a common area at the back of the home.

Pacific Palisades House

Fritz Johnson AIA

Olivier Koenig
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey white exterior in Hawaii.

Mid Century Modern Landscape

Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture

Michael Brennan
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco beige house exterior in San Diego with a flat roof.

eichler in marinwood

building Lab, inc.

Eichler in Marinwood - At the larger scale of the property existed a desire to soften and deepen the engagement between the house and the street frontage. As such, the landscaping palette consists of textures chosen for subtlety and granularity. Spaces are layered by way of planting, diaphanous fencing and lighting. The interior engages the front of the house by the insertion of a floor to ceiling glazing at the dining room. Jog-in path from street to house maintains a sense of privacy and sequential unveiling of interior/private spaces. This non-atrium model is invested with the best aspects of the iconic eichler configuration without compromise to the sense of order and orientation. photo: scott hargis

Christensen Remodeling

Genesis Architecture, LLC.

Remodeling to 1956 John Randall MacDonald Usonian home.
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey red exterior in Milwaukee.

Westchester Residence

JWT Associates

The overhang seen here is new. The interior ceiling is original. The bluestone outdoor kitchen was designed around the existing Cypress tree. The door threshold seen here was designed to be completely flush inside and out.

House in the suburbs

Ande Bunbury Architects

Inter-war brick home with steel-framed corner windows
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey brick house exterior in Melbourne with a hip roof, a tile roof and a black roof.

House in the suburbs

Ande Bunbury Architects

The renovated house as viewed from the street. The extension is hidden behind the tree. Photographer - Drew Echberg
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey brick house exterior in Melbourne with a hip roof, a tile roof and a black roof.

Midtown Midmod

Hammersmith Structures

Mid-sized midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Denver with wood siding, a shed roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and clapboard siding.

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

West Fin Wall Exterior Elevation highlights pine wood ceiling continuing from exterior to interior - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan, Saugutuck, Michigan, Douglas Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Aicher House

Marrapodi Architecture

Mid-sized midcentury three-storey exterior in New York with wood siding and a hip roof.

Sven

AHG Interiors

Thinking outside the box Perched on a hilltop in the Catskills, this sleek 1960s A-frame is right at home among pointed firs and mountain peaks. An unfussy, but elegant design with modern shapes, furnishings, and material finishes both softens and enhances the home’s architecture and natural surroundings, bringing light and airiness to every room. A clever peekaboo aesthetic enlivens many of the home’s new design elements―invisible touches of lucite, accented brass surfaces, oversized mirrors, and windows and glass partitions in the spa bathrooms, which give you all the comfort of a high-end hotel, and the feeling that you’re showering in nature. Downstairs ample seating and a wet bar―a nod to your parents’ 70s basement―make a perfect space for entertaining. Step outside onto the spacious deck, fire up the grill, and enjoy the gorgeous mountain views. Stonework, scattered like breadcrumbs around the 5-acre property, leads you to several lounging nooks, where you can stretch out with a book or take a soak in the hot tub. Every thoughtful detail adds softness and magic to this forest home.

Mid Century Modern

ROTHERS Design/Build

Rear view of house with patios and screened porch Photo by Sarah Terranova
Mid-sized midcentury one-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Kansas City with mixed siding, a shed roof and a metal roof.

Arpdale Mid-Century Inspired Home Design

co(X)ist Studio

Situated on a prominent corner lot in the Zilker neighborhood, this Mid-Century inspired home presents a unique opportunity to activate two street elevations, while maintaining a sense of scale and character within the neighborhood. An exposed glulam roof structure radiates from a single steel column, wrapping and folding around the corner to create a home with two striking facades. Tucked to the side and back of the lot, the second story is sited to help de-scale the corner and create spectacular vistas of the folded roof and the courtyard below. The interior courtyard is best viewed as you descend the stairwell and look out over the private pool scape. On a very exposed corner lot, the U-shaped plan also allows for privacy and seclusion for the homeowner. Public spaces such as the kitchen, living room and dining room, are located in direct relationship to the courtyard to enhance bringing the outside in. Natural light filters in throughout the home, creating an airy open feel. The photographer credit is – Atelier Wong Photography

Davidson Ranch

Artisan Custom Homes

Jim Schmid
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey brick yellow house exterior in Charlotte with a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Mid-Century Modern Jasmine Revitalized

Berghuis Construction LLC

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury one-storey grey house exterior in Grand Rapids with vinyl siding and a gambrel roof.

MCM Look / Blending Materials

Princeton Design Collaborative

Architecture by : Princeton Design Collaborative 360pdc.com photo by Jeffery Edward Tryon
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey brown house exterior in Philadelphia with metal siding, a gable roof, a metal roof, a grey roof and board and batten siding.

Wayzata Mid-Century Modern Whole Home Restoration

Thompson Construction

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury split-level multi-coloured house exterior in Minneapolis with wood siding and a flat 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.