HVI
Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey stucco grey house exterior in Los Angeles with a tile roof.

Photo of a large midcentury split-level grey house exterior in Los Angeles with mixed siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

We used a similar shade of grey for the porch. Grey is one of the traditional colors that some owners choose for their exterior. This homeowner opted to use it as an accent color. This also gives the steps and railings a sense of being structurally solid and dependable, while the yellow is cool and inviting.

Windows

Acacia Custom Metal Works

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Phoenix with a hip roof and a tile roof.

Frank Lloyd Wright Inspired Prairie

Prime Realty

Large midcentury split-level grey house exterior in Los Angeles with mixed siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Updated Mid-Century Home, Seven Isles, Fort Lauderdale

Meredith Marlow Interiors

Exterior with custom deck and jacuzzi
Inspiration for a midcentury one-storey beige house exterior in Miami with stone veneer, a tile roof and a grey roof.

Blue Paint Scheme, Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

This is another side view of the house. In this close up photo, you can see how the white used for the window frames, guttering, and downspout helps to break up the blue of the siding. The surrounding trees and bushes help to enhance the exterior color scheme’s sense of tranquility. This is a good example of how you can choose a simple color palette yet still achieve a stunning and dramatic look.

Blue Paint Scheme, Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

This photo of the side of the house shows how dappled sunlight from nearby trees interacts with the exterior paint color. It almost looks like a completely different shade of blue compared to the other photos. You’ll notice the wiring in this picture. Just like the greenery, we always ensure that no drips or streaks end up on these.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

For this detached garage, the owners chose to match the exterior of the house. This garage almost looks like a tiny house itself. A totally different color palette would have immediately detracted the eye from the main house.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

For the deck, the owners chose a third color, a charcoal grey. The addition of a carefully selected accent color to the palette is often a good option where you want to highlight a section or feature of the exterior. In this instance, painting the decking in the same color as the siding would have diluted the area. The decking would have blended too much into the background and become difficult to see. Grey is a great choice because it is bold and solid.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

The owners of this Newton, MA house chose a non-traditional color scheme for their exterior repaint. The soft yellow perfectly complements the surrounding greenery. This picture shows how working with nature can pay big dividends. The house almost appears like a daffodil amongst the trees and flowering shrubs.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

In this side view of the house, you get a closer look at the windows, trims, and guttering. The owners have chosen white for their accent color. This is an excellent decision, as white is considered a neutral color that never detracts from the primary paint. Since the yellow is not a traditional color for this style of house, the white compliments that light, almost nature feel of the yellow siding.

Exterior Painting, Yellow and White Repaint, Newton, MA

ProTEK Painters

This photo of the front of the house showcases two painting choices made by the owners. Some homeowners choose to highlight their downspouts and gutters. Here, the owners have chosen to have the downspout painted in the same color as the siding but have highlighted the gutters in white. This means the downspouts blend in with the siding while the gutters add contrast to it. The porch columns and railings were also painted white. This gives the entrance a crisp, clean, and inviting look.

Windows

Acacia Custom Metal Works

Mid-sized midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Phoenix with a hip roof and a tile roof.

Коттедж с бассейном в Псевдоромантизме

Козлов Роман

Козлов Роман
This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury two-storey beige house exterior in Saint Petersburg with stone veneer, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Brown Exterior

Carpentry with Integrity, Inc.

Tudor Style exterior with Hardi panel, LP, and Board and Batten siding.
Expansive midcentury two-storey brown house exterior in Chicago with concrete fiberboard siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Axon Cladding - Entrance Before

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury one-storey beige house exterior in Canberra - Queanbeyan with concrete fiberboard siding and a tile roof.

Windows

Acacia Custom Metal Works

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Phoenix with a hip roof and a tile roof.

Surrey Hills

Ardent Architects Pty Ltd

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury two-storey brick red townhouse exterior in Melbourne with a hip roof and a tile roof.

Cartmell Road - Photo 4

Ikonografik Design

Ikonografik Design Ltd.
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury three-storey multi-coloured duplex exterior in Other with mixed siding, a gable roof and a tile roof.

Midcentury Exterior Design Ideas with a Tile 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 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.