This is an example of a midcentury two-storey black house exterior in Portland.

Side yard view of whole house exterior remodel
Inspiration for a large midcentury two-storey black exterior in San Diego.

San Carlos Treetop

Cathie Hong Interiors

What started as a kitchen and two-bathroom remodel evolved into a full home renovation plus conversion of the downstairs unfinished basement into a permitted first story addition, complete with family room, guest suite, mudroom, and a new front entrance. We married the midcentury modern architecture with vintage, eclectic details and thoughtful materials.

Bull Creek Modern Residence

Studio Steinbomer

This is an example of a mid-sized midcentury two-storey brick white house exterior in Austin with a gable roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.

Lake Sawyer Remodel

Malone's Landscape Design | Build

Staggered bluestone thermal top treads surrounded with mexican pebble leading to the original slab front door and surrounding midcentury glass and original Nelson Bubble lamp. At night the lamp looks like the moon hanging over the front door. and the FX ZDC outdoor lighting with modern black fixtures create a beautiful night time ambiance.

Sunset Residence

Element 5 Architecture

Design ideas for a midcentury two-storey grey house exterior in Austin with mixed siding, a shed roof and board and batten siding.

Maude Street

Murray Legge Architecture

Photo of a small midcentury two-storey white house exterior in Austin with concrete fiberboard siding and a flat roof.

Berkeley Hills Project

Nystrom Design

Design ideas for a midcentury two-storey white house exterior in San Francisco with wood siding.

Mid-Century Modern

Tongue & Groove Design + Build

The home’s design grew organically by the crossing of water, influenced by a nearby bridge linking the tree-lined property to the surrounding golf course. The design was also inspired by the Mid-Century architecture of Florida’s Golden Beach and the revival of the idioms associated with that movement. Exploring the intersection of architecture and place and context and creativity, the project’s sensitivity to the surrounding environment is expressed with a proliferate use of natural elements — like stacked white stone facades and support columns — further smudging the edges between exterior and interior. Water surrounds the home; a koi pond and trickling fountains create a soothing entry. Inside, expansive plate glass walls and windows welcome the outdoors. Full-length windows double as folding partition doors and when peeled back, open the living room to the lanai, and pool deck while simultaneously providing a bridge between indoor and outdoor living. An open stair floats to a second floor catwalk that links north and south bedroom wings, and both contribute to the soaring volume of the interior spaces.

Northwood, Royal Oak, MI Exterior Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

The suspended porch overhang detail was designed to coordinate with a new rain screen application, using Timber Tech Azek vintage collection mahogany finish siding. Defining the first and second floor is a black metal I-beam detail that continues across the front of the home and ties into the front porch overhang perfectly.

Leucadia Mid Century

DZN Partners

The entrance to the home ©PixelProFoto
Inspiration for a large midcentury two-storey grey house exterior in San Diego with wood siding, a gable roof and a metal roof.

Orinda Mid-Century Modern

The Home Co.

Design ideas for a large midcentury two-storey grey house exterior in San Francisco with wood siding and a flat roof.

Front Entry

risa boyer architecture

Living room and entryway. The original home was walled and with siding on the upper portion of the living room. We vaulted the ceiling to open the space and expand the view. Photo: Jeremy Bittermann

Mid Century Modern

Elevation

Mid-sized midcentury two-storey grey exterior in Minneapolis with mixed siding and a flat roof.

Bellevue Mid-Modern

Lane Williams Architects

A steel catwalk projects above the garage, allowing for a sliding glass door at the den, and a protected lower floor entry.
This is an example of a large midcentury two-storey brick black exterior in Seattle with a gable roof.

Mid Century Modern Property

Peninsula Building Materials

Ammirato Construction's use of K2's Pacific Ashlar thin veneer, is beautifully displayed on many of the walls of this property.
Large midcentury two-storey grey house exterior in San Francisco with mixed siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Oxford Street

Koch Architects

Concrete patio with Ipe wood walls. Floor to ceiling windows and doors to living room with exposed wood beamed ceiling and mid-century modern style furniture, in mid-century-modern home renovation in Berkeley, California - Photo by Bruce Damonte.

Oxford Street

Koch Architects

Mid-Century Modern Renovation & Addition. Exterior of mid-century home in Berkeley, California with redwood siding, orange front door, exposed wood beams and transom windows. - Photo by Bruce Damonte.

Northwood, Royal Oak, MI Exterior Remodel

MainStreet Design Build

We love the pop of color with this beautiful new front door.
Mid-sized midcentury two-storey multi-coloured house exterior in Detroit with mixed siding, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Mid-Century Ranch Addition/Remodel

Gregory Thomas, Architect, AKBD, CG&S Design-Build

The view deck is cantilevered out over the back yard and toward the sunset view. (Landscaping is still being installed here.)
Midcentury two-storey brown house exterior in Austin with wood siding, a gable roof and a metal roof.

Midcentury Two-storey 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.