Exterior farm house Photography by Ryan Garvin
Large beach style two-storey white exterior in Orange County with wood siding and a hip roof.

Hope Ranch

User

Jim Bartsch
Photo of a mediterranean two-storey stucco beige exterior in Other with a gable roof.

My work: Shinglestyle beach house

Kate Jackson Design

Inspiration for a beach style two-storey grey exterior in Providence with wood siding and a gable roof.

Urban Lake House

DEMESNE

The simple volumes of this urban lake house give a nod to the existing 1940’s weekend cottages and farmhouses contained in the mature neighborhood on White Rock Lake. The concept is a modern twist on the vernacular within the area by incorporating the use of modern materials such as concrete, steel, and cable. ©Shoot2Sell Photography

Kennett Square, PA European Style New Home

Dewson Construction Company

Custom European Style Stone Home Backyard Patio
Design ideas for a large mediterranean two-storey beige house exterior in Wilmington with stone veneer, a gable roof and a shingle roof.

Vineyard Haven Village

John Abrams

On a tiny lot on a quiet little dead-end street, we tucked this high-performance gem between two other small houses. Photo: Brian vanden Brink
Design ideas for a small traditional two-storey exterior in Boston with wood siding.

Linnean House

Donald Lococo Architects

Awarded by the Classical institute of art and architecture , the linian house has a restrained and simple elevation of doors and windows. By using only a few architectural elements the design relies on both classical proportion and the nature of limestone to reveal it's inherent Beauty. The rhythm of the stone and glass contrast mass and light both inside and out. The entry is only highlighted by a slightly wider opening and a deeper opening Trimmed in the exact Manor of the other French doors on the front elevation. John Cole Photography,

Ferndale, MI Exterior Makeover

MainStreet Design Build

This post-war, plain bungalow was transformed into a charming cottage with this new exterior detail, which includes a new roof, red shutters, energy-efficient windows, and a beautiful new front porch that matched the roof line. Window boxes with matching corbels were also added to the exterior, along with pleated copper roofing on the large window and side door. Photo courtesy of Kate Benjamin Photography

ghostdance

John Van Rooy Architecture

Architect: John Van Rooy Architecture General Contractor: Moore Designs Photo: edmunds studios
Inspiration for an expansive traditional two-storey grey exterior in Milwaukee with stone veneer and a gable roof.

Mazama House

FINNE Architects

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Beach Style Exterior

User

New custom beach home in the Golden Hills of Hermosa Beach, California, melding a modern sensibility in concept, plan and flow w/ traditional design aesthetic elements and detailing.

Kerrisdale Shingle Exterior Repaint

Warline Painting Ltd.

This home was beautifully painted in the best brown house colour, Benjamin Moore Mascarpone with Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe as the trim colour. Photo credits to Ina Van Tonder.

Bay

Urban Angles

Urban Angles
Design ideas for a large scandinavian two-storey brown exterior in Melbourne with a flat roof.

Lark Residence

Stephenson Design Collective

A stained cedar screen gives privacy to the front wall which is constructed of glass to allow light into the space. Miguel Edwards Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary two-storey exterior in Seattle with mixed siding and a flat roof.

Beach Style Exterior

Small beach style two-storey beige exterior in Boston with wood siding.

New Construction - Del Mar Mesa, CA

Dawson Design Group

Brady Architectural Photography
Design ideas for a large contemporary two-storey multi-coloured exterior in San Diego with mixed siding and a flat roof.

Big Sky Residence

Studio Architects

Mid-sized country two-storey grey exterior in Other with stone veneer and a gable roof.

Nashville Staging - 849 Glendale Lane

Fresh Perspectives

Tudor inspired, reclaimed barn wood. Designed by Ryan Miller of Millworks Designs and staged by Fresh Perspectives.
This is an example of a transitional two-storey exterior in Nashville with mixed siding.

Taylor Creek Ranch

Upside Development

Upside Development completed an contemporary architectural transformation in Taylor Creek Ranch. Evolving from the belief that a beautiful home is more than just a very large home, this 1940’s bungalow was meticulously redesigned to entertain its next life. It's contemporary architecture is defined by the beautiful play of wood, brick, metal and stone elements. The flow interchanges all around the house between the dark black contrast of brick pillars and the live dynamic grain of the Canadian cedar facade. The multi level roof structure and wrapping canopies create the airy gloom similar to its neighbouring ravine.

Stiles Creek

Berghuis Construction LLC

Photos by Kaity Interiors by Ashley Cole Design Architecture by David Maxam
Large contemporary two-storey white exterior in Grand Rapids with mixed siding and a flat roof.

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 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.