Green Cliffs Road

FIG Home

East Nashville Craftsman

Leverick Homes

New California Ranch

Landmark Construction

My Own House

Hoffman Grayson Architects LLP

Originally, the front of the house was on the left (eave) side, facing the primary street. Since the Garage was on the narrower, quieter side street, we decided that when we would renovate, we would reorient the front to the quieter side street, and enter through the front Porch. So initially we built the fencing and Pergola entering from the side street into the existing Front Porch. Then in 2003, we pulled off the roof, which enclosed just one large room and a bathroom, and added a full second story. Then we added the gable overhangs to create the effect of a cottage with dormers, so as not to overwhelm the scale of the site. The shingles are stained Cabots Semi-Solid Deck and Siding Oil Stain, 7406, color: Burnt Hickory, and the trim is painted with Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior Low Luster Narraganset Green HC-157, (which is actually a dark blue). Photo by Glen Grayson, AIA

Butcher Ranch

Michael G Imber, Architects

Erik Kvalsvik

Riverfront Villa

Architectural Photographer Ron Rosenzweig

Photographer: Ron Rosenzweig Home Builder: Onshore Construction & Dev. Co. Interior Design: Marc Michaels Cabinetry: Artistry-Masters of Woodcraft Architects: Dailey Janssen Architects

Los Altos Mid Century Modern Home

Weaver Design Group

David Trotter - 8TRACKstudios - www.8trackstudios.com

Cottage Renovation

Sean Papich Landscape Architecture

Clay Street

Sutro Architects

Aaron Leitz Photography

Green Oaks Atherton

Dennis Mayer - Photographer

Dennis Mayer Photographer

My Houzz: A Dream Home Grows From an Empty Austin Lot

Kara Mosher

Country Club Drive, Long Island

Sussan Lari Architect PC

Covered entryway with custom designed & built stained Mahogany double entrance door. Photography: Peter Rymwid

Porter Street Bungalow

Moore Architects, PC

The Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C boasts some of the most beautiful and well maintained bungalows of the late 19th century. Residential streets are distinguished by the most significant craftsman icon, the front porch. Porter Street Bungalow was different. The stucco walls on the right and left side elevations were the first indication of an original bungalow form. Yet the swooping roof, so characteristic of the period, was terminated at the front by a first floor enclosure that had almost no penetrations and presented an unwelcoming face. Original timber beams buried within the enclosed mass provided the only fenestration where they nudged through. The house, known affectionately as ‘the bunker’, was in serious need of a significant renovation and restoration. A young couple purchased the house over 10 years ago as a first home. As their family grew and professional lives matured the inadequacies of the small rooms and out of date systems had to be addressed. The program called to significantly enlarge the house with a major new rear addition. The completed house had to fulfill all of the requirements of a modern house: a reconfigured larger living room, new shared kitchen and breakfast room and large family room on the first floor and three modified bedrooms and master suite on the second floor. Front photo by Hoachlander Davis Photography. All other photos by Prakash Patel.

1930s Colonial

Richard Manion Architecture Inc.

An extensive remodel of a 1930s Colonial Revival residence by Paul Williams in Holmby Hills that had been badly neglected over the years. We expanded the house and restored the original Moderne interiors with Art Deco furnishings. Influenced by 1930s Hollywood glamour, we brought back white-painted brickwork, Chippendale-style railings and decorative details from the streamlined era. Interiors by Craig Wright Landscape by Daniel Busbin

Barndominium

Allan Dorney Construction and Signature Sunrooms

Woodside Avenue

Trevor Brown Architects

Modern Two Storey and Single Storey Extension Oxfordshire

Black Swan Architecture

The project's single-storey rear extension unveils a new dimension of communal living with the creation of an expansive kitchen dining area. Envisioned as the heart of the home, this open-plan space is tailored for both everyday living and memorable family gatherings. Modern appliances and smart storage solutions ensure a seamless culinary experience, while the thoughtful integration of seating and dining arrangements invites warmth and conversation.

Historic Sea Cabins

St. Pierre Construction

Custom home with cedar lap siding, vertical painted lattice, hand-crimped metal roof and beautiful landscaping featuring shellstone pavers

Modern French Country Custom

ATK Construction | Custom Homes

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.