This is an example of an arts and crafts three-storey grey exterior in Chicago.

Architectural Credit: R. Michael Cross Design Group
Small contemporary three-storey brick red exterior in DC Metro with a flat roof.

Wallingford Second Story

H2D Architecture + Design

H2D Architecture + Design worked with the homeowners to design a second story addition on their existing home in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. The second story is designed with three bedrooms, storage space, new stair, and roof deck overlooking to views of the lake beyond. Design by: H2D Architecture + Design www.h2darchitects.com #seattlearchitect #h2darchitects #secondstoryseattle Photos by: Porchlight Imaging Built by: Crescent Builds

Park Place Residence - As Seen in House and Home

PURE Design Inc.

When Ami McKay was asked by the owners of Park Place to design their new home, she found inspiration in both her own travels and the beautiful West Coast of Canada which she calls home. This circa-1912 Vancouver character home was torn down and rebuilt, and our fresh design plan allowed the owners dreams to come to life. A closer look at Park Place reveals an artful fusion of diverse influences and inspirations, beautifully brought together in one home. Within the kitchen alone, notable elements include the French-bistro backsplash, the arched vent hood (including hidden, seamlessly integrated shelves on each side), an apron-front kitchen sink (a nod to English Country kitchens), and a saturated color palette—all balanced by white oak millwork. Floor to ceiling cabinetry ensures that it’s also easy to keep this beautiful space clutter-free, with room for everything: chargers, stationery and keys. These influences carry on throughout the home, translating into thoughtful touches: gentle arches, welcoming dark green millwork, patterned tile, and an elevated vintage clawfoot bathtub in the cozy primary bathroom.

Marvin Windows, Provia Doors, Sherwin Williams Exterior Painting in Norfolk, MA

United Home Experts

Over the last 3 years, this beautiful, center entrance colonial located in Norfolk, MA underwent a remarkable exterior remodel where we replaced the windows, and did exterior painting, carpentry, and an exterior door. An option many homeowners don’t consider is breaking up their project over time! This project was staged in 5 portions where we addressed the following: In 2019, we started by replacing 24 windows using Marvin Essential windows. They chose the popular, Ebony-colored exterior color frames and white exterior. Later in 2019, they decided to replace additional windows. In 2020, we replaced the remaining 13 windows with matching Marvin Essential windows and an entry door replacement and they chose a beautiful Provia Fiberglass French Door. In 2020, the entire home is painted white with Sherwin Williams Resilience. Built in 1988, this beautiful home in Norfolk, MA had older wooden clapboards and the homeowners were tired of the worn-out siding and wanted to give their home a facelift. With a modern farmhouse-like appeal, they chose a beautiful paint white colorway from Sherwin Williams and the black Ebony-colored windows from Marvin’s Essential line of black fiberglass windows. For the homeowners, they were ready for a complete home makeover and they began carefully vetting who could make their house aspirations come to reality. Though humble in nature, these homeowners were going for the gold standard in remodeling their home and chose the best of the best products and the best company to do it.

Lake of the Isles

Regarding Design

Sumptuous spaces are created throughout the house with the use of dark, moody colors, elegant upholstery with bespoke trim details, unique wall coverings, and natural stone with lots of movement. The mix of print, pattern, and artwork creates a modern twist on traditional design.

Westpointe of Windermere - Edmonton

Andison Residential Design

Located in the luxurious and exclusive community of Westpointe at Windermere, this stunning custom home is a masterpiece of transitional design. The stately exterior welcomes you with steeply gabled roofs, double chimneys, and European-inspired stone and stucco cladding. An elegant front entry with modern clean lines contrasts with the traditional Tudor-inspired design elements featured throughout the exterior. The surrounding community offers stunning panoramic views, walking trails leading to the North Saskatchewan River, and large lots that are located conveniently close to urban amenities.

Draper - side view with attached Victorian carriage house

Aurora Architects + Builders

Side view of a restored Queen Anne Victorian focuses on attached carriage house containing workshop space and 4-car garage, as well as a solarium that encloses an indoor pool. Shows new side entrance and u-shaped addition at the rear of the main house that contains mudroom, bath, laundry, and extended kitchen.

Shorecliff

Racinowski Design Studio

This is an example of a large modern three-storey grey house exterior in Milwaukee with stone veneer and clapboard siding.

Heady Lake Hartwell Addition & Renovation

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Originally built in 1990 the Heady Lakehouse began as a 2,800SF family retreat and now encompasses over 5,635SF. It is located on a steep yet welcoming lot overlooking a cove on Lake Hartwell that pulls you in through retaining walls wrapped with White Brick into a courtyard laid with concrete pavers in an Ashlar Pattern. This whole home renovation allowed us the opportunity to completely enhance the exterior of the home with all new LP Smartside painted with Amherst Gray with trim to match the Quaker new bone white windows for a subtle contrast. You enter the home under a vaulted tongue and groove white washed ceiling facing an entry door surrounded by White brick. Once inside you’re encompassed by an abundance of natural light flooding in from across the living area from the 9’ triple door with transom windows above. As you make your way into the living area the ceiling opens up to a coffered ceiling which plays off of the 42” fireplace that is situated perpendicular to the dining area. The open layout provides a view into the kitchen as well as the sunroom with floor to ceiling windows boasting panoramic views of the lake. Looking back you see the elegant touches to the kitchen with Quartzite tops, all brass hardware to match the lighting throughout, and a large 4’x8’ Santorini Blue painted island with turned legs to provide a note of color. The owner’s suite is situated separate to one side of the home allowing a quiet retreat for the homeowners. Details such as the nickel gap accented bed wall, brass wall mounted bed-side lamps, and a large triple window complete the bedroom. Access to the study through the master bedroom further enhances the idea of a private space for the owners to work. It’s bathroom features clean white vanities with Quartz counter tops, brass hardware and fixtures, an obscure glass enclosed shower with natural light, and a separate toilet room. The left side of the home received the largest addition which included a new over-sized 3 bay garage with a dog washing shower, a new side entry with stair to the upper and a new laundry room. Over these areas, the stair will lead you to two new guest suites featuring a Jack & Jill Bathroom and their own Lounging and Play Area. The focal point for entertainment is the lower level which features a bar and seating area. Opposite the bar you walk out on the concrete pavers to a covered outdoor kitchen feature a 48” grill, Large Big Green Egg smoker, 30” Diameter Evo Flat-top Grill, and a sink all surrounded by granite countertops that sit atop a white brick base with stainless steel access doors. The kitchen overlooks a 60” gas fire pit that sits adjacent to a custom gunite eight sided hot tub with travertine coping that looks out to the lake. This elegant and timeless approach to this 5,000SF three level addition and renovation allowed the owner to add multiple sleeping and entertainment areas while rejuvenating a beautiful lake front lot with subtle contrasting colors.

Piece of Mind III

R-Value Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized modern split-level blue house exterior in Grand Rapids with vinyl siding, a shed roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and clapboard siding.

Modern European - Custom New Home - Orono, MN

Hendel Homes

Arial view Modern European exterior
Photo of a mid-sized modern three-storey white house exterior in Minneapolis with a grey roof.

Arbutus Residence

Frits de Vries Architect Ltd.

This is an example of a contemporary three-storey grey exterior in Vancouver with mixed siding, a flat roof and a mixed roof.

niguel west mid-century modern

Moss Yaw Design studio

aerial perspective at hillside site
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury split-level multi-coloured house exterior in Orange County with wood siding, a flat roof, a mixed roof and a white roof.

Georgian Colonial Classical Addition

12/12 Architects & Planners

Photo of a mid-sized traditional three-storey brick brown house exterior in Chicago with a clipped gable roof, a tile roof, a brown roof and shingle siding.

Beautifully crafted stone accents complement the front porch columns

Indresano Corp.

Photo of a traditional three-storey grey house exterior in Boston with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a brown roof and clapboard siding.

Whispering Meadows XX

Glas Associates

A view of the entry and three-car garage Photo by Ashley Avila Photography
Inspiration for a country three-storey white house exterior in Grand Rapids with mixed siding, a gable roof, a shingle roof, a black roof and board and batten siding.

Vivienda Bifamiliar

Rictectura

Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic three-storey duplex exterior in Other with a flat roof and a mixed roof.

Modern Farmhouse Addition & Renovation

Anthony James Master Builders, LLC

A cozy yet modern front porch design.
Photo of a mid-sized country three-storey white house exterior in New York with mixed siding and a mixed roof.

Painted Brick French Country

Color Revival By Rebecca Dumas

White Painted Brick Using Benjamin Moore & Romabio Masonry Paints
Photo of a large transitional three-storey brick white house exterior in Atlanta with a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Three-storey and Split-level 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 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.