This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area and screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for a shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear-facing exercise has great views of the lake through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below.

Woodland

Kurt Baum Architects

Custom Craftsman Home Exterior

Great Rooms Building Group

Photo by Linda Oyama-Bryan

Custom Home

ABT Custom Homes, LLC

The Sanctuary

Glenn Layton Homes

Glenn Layton Homes, LLC, "Building Your Coastal Lifestyle"

Edmonton Spruce Avenue - Full Interior & Exterior Renovation

Four Elements Construction

This was the another opportunity to work with one of our favorite clients on one of her projects. This time she wanted to completely revamp a recently purchased revenue property and convert it to a legal three-suiter maximizing rental income in a prime rental area close to NAIT. The mid-fifties semi-bungalow was in quite poor condition, so it was a challenging opportunity to address the various structural deficiencies while keeping the project at a reasonable budget. We gutted and opened up all three floors, removed a poorly constructed rear addition, and created three comfortable suites on the three separate floors. Compare the before and after pictures - a complete transformation!

The Oasis Tiny Home Outdoor Living

Paradise Tiny Homes LLC

This tropical modern coastal Tiny Home is built on a trailer and is 8x24x14 feet. The blue exterior paint color is called cabana blue. The large circular window is quite the statement focal point for this how adding a ton of curb appeal. The round window is actually two round half-moon windows stuck together to form a circle. There is an indoor bar between the two windows to make the space more interactive and useful- important in a tiny home. There is also another interactive pass-through bar window on the deck leading to the kitchen making it essentially a wet bar. This window is mirrored with a second on the other side of the kitchen and the are actually repurposed french doors turned sideways. Even the front door is glass allowing for the maximum amount of light to brighten up this tiny home and make it feel spacious and open. This tiny home features a unique architectural design with curved ceiling beams and roofing, high vaulted ceilings, a tiled in shower with a skylight that points out over the tongue of the trailer saving space in the bathroom, and of course, the large bump-out circle window and awning window that provides dining spaces.

Coastal Bungalow - Jackon's Grant on Williams Creek

Old Town Design Group

Plymouth Custom Home

Oakwood Custom Homes

Colonial Custom Home

Stephen C. Gidley, Inc.

Front Exterior Daytime

Pike Properties

Queen Ann Shingle

Lowell Custom Homes

LOWELL CUSTOM HOMES Lake Geneva, WI., - This Queen Ann Shingle is a very special place for family and friends to gather. Designed with distinctive New England character this home generates warm welcoming feelings and a relaxed approach to entertaining.

The East End

CMM Custom Homes

Sean Litchfield

Cooper Woods 2 Story

Havlicek Builders Inc.

New Construction - Cotswold, Charlotte NC

Lagniappe Builders

Easton Cottage: Home for the Holidays

Jamie Merida Interiors

Robert Radifera & Charlotte Safavi

Exterior Doors

Trimlite

Solution Series Exterior Door

F2572

Fillmore and Chambers Design Group

Lake Wisconsin Cottage Addition and Kitchen Remodel

Julie Kardatzke Architect, LLC

The existing wood siding and wood trim and much of at the existing stucco were replaced with engineered wood lap siding and shakes. The new exterior color scheme of french blue with accents of white and pale gray gives a more nautical feel to the house. The original cottage was wrapped by a deck on all four sides, most of which was not used. The new composite deck is located primarily on the south (lake) side of the house, as well as at the entry. The chalet-style railings were replaced with crisp-looking cable railings. Scalloped trim connects the posts supporting the new deck. Lowering the grade between the house and the garage placed the entry walkway at the same level as the back patio, eliminating the need to walk up a set of stairs to get from the back yard to the front.

Deep navy house white trim Custom home with front porch

User

An incredible custom 3,300 square foot custom Craftsman styled 2-story home with detailed amenities throughout.

Blue 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.