Architecture and Interior Design by Anders Lasater Architects. Photography by Chad Mellon

The Glass Corner

David Small Designs

Heritage Oaks- Ashbrook

Mark Payne Homes

This floor plan was designed for entertaining with an abundance of cabinet and counter space, double ovens and a large closet for kitchen storage! The flex room could be used as a game room, media room or study. The master suite is tucked away in the back corner of the home, while 3 additional bedrooms, a jack and jill bath and a guest bath fill the front of the home. This home has wonderful storage with many closets throughout the home!

Northwestern Landscape & Design

Rim Residence

Andrew Wagner Architects

Tanglewood Modern House

Flavin Architects

This new modern house is located in a meadow in Lenox MA. The house is designed as a series of linked pavilions to connect the house to the nature and to provide the maximum daylight in each room. The center focus of the home is the largest pavilion containing the living/dining/kitchen, with the guest pavilion to the south and the master bedroom and screen porch pavilions to the west. While the roof line appears flat from the exterior, the roofs of each pavilion have a pronounced slope inward and to the north, a sort of funnel shape. This design allows rain water to channel via a scupper to cisterns located on the north side of the house. Steel beams, Douglas fir rafters and purlins are exposed in the living/dining/kitchen pavilion. Photo by: Nat Rea Photography

Eola Parade of Homes

Blue Daze Designs

Eola Parade of Homes

Rear Extension in Winchmore Hill

Stephen Turvil Architects

A split level rear extension, clad with black zinc and cedar battens. Narrow frame sliding doors create a flush opening between inside and out, while a glazed corner window offers oblique views across the new terrace. Inside, the kitchen is set level with the main house, whilst the dining area is level with the garden, which creates a fabulous split level interior. This project has featured in Grand Designs and Living Etc magazines. Photographer: David Butler

Melbourne Private Residence

Christopher Burton Homes, Inc.

Burbank Three Color Grey Blend

All-City Masonry Staining LLC

We stained the mortar to a light white - grey, with a three color grey blend brick. Then we stained the stone white with a grey accent. Christopher Balke

Fern House_Camberwell

Moxon Architects

Simon Kennedy

West Coast Contemporary

Carrothers and Associates Inc.

Dover Shores Modern Farmhouse

Anthology Interiors

This Dover Shores, Newport Beach home was built with a young hip Newport Beach family in mind. Bright and airy finishes were used throughout, with a modern twist. The palette is neutral with lots of geometric blacks, whites and grays. Cement tile, beautiful hardwood floors and natural stone were used throughout. The designer collaborated with the builder on all finishes and fixtures inside and out to create an inviting and impressive home.Shak Cinema

Preston Hollow - Dallas

AquaTerra Outdoors

This large sprawling yard is highlighted by the house with a dry creek bed flowing under a see through corridor in the house.

Flint Hills Modern Prairie - Andover, KS

Nies Homes

Shane Organ Photo

[Bracketed Space] House

Matt Fajkus Architecture

The site descends from the street and is privileged with dynamic natural views toward a creek below and beyond. To incorporate the existing landscape into the daily life of the residents, the house steps down to the natural topography. A continuous and jogging retaining wall from outside to inside embeds the structure below natural grade at the front with flush transitions at its rear facade. All indoor spaces open up to a central courtyard which terraces down to the tree canopy, creating a readily visible and occupiable transitional space between man-made and nature. The courtyard scheme is simplified by two wings representing common and private zones - connected by a glass dining “bridge." This transparent volume also visually connects the front yard to the courtyard, clearing for the prospect view, while maintaining a subdued street presence. The staircase acts as a vertical “knuckle,” mediating shifting wing angles while contrasting the predominant horizontality of the house. Crips materiality and detailing, deep roof overhangs, and the one-and-half story wall at the rear further enhance the connection between outdoors and indoors, providing nuanced natural lighting throughout and a meaningful framed procession through the property. Photography Spaces and Faces Photography

Greater Seattle Area | The Oslo Exterior

JayMarc Homes

Exuding an air of calm uniformity and artistry that delights the eye, the Oslo home design boasts a sleek, modern build that elevates this stunning residence both inside and out.

Summit Park House

Stephenson Design Collective

Andrew Pogue Photography

Contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.