: Exterior façade of modern farmhouse style home, clad in corrugated grey steel with wall lighting, offset gable roof with chimney, detached guest house and connecting breezeway, night shot. Photo by Tory Taglio Photography

Spanish Mission Residence, historic renovation

Indigo Diggs Architecture

Joe Nuess Photography

House on the Hill

LaRue Architects

Photo Credit: Casey Dunn

The Modern New England Home

STONEYARD®

Boston Blend Mosaic thin stone veneer can set the theme for your entire home. This New England home uses copper accents against olive siding and white trim. All of these features compliment the natural mix of colors in the Boston Blend. Carry the New England theme throughout the property by covering the cement foundation with the same stone veneer. Bring those natural elements inside to your kitchen or fireplace for a touch of elegance. Here, the stone was used to add architectural interest and old world charm to a modern kitchen. The fireplace and chimney were also faced with the Boston Blend Mosaic thin stone veneer. To fish the project, outdoor entertainment areas including fire pit, seating, and outdoor fireplace create the perfect setting for summer fun. Visit www.stoneyard.com/955 for more photos and video.

765 studio/residence, a modern residence in Atlanta, Georgia

TaC studios, architects

Pool oasis in Atlanta. Pool oasis in Atlanta with large deck. The pool finish is Pebble Sheen by Pebble Tec, the dimensions are 8' wide x 50' long. The deck is Dasso XTR bamboo decking.

Skyline Home

Terry and Terry Architecture

Moving On Up

Uccello Development, LLC

This coastal farmhouse design is destined to be an instant classic. This classic and cozy design has all of the right exterior details, including gray shingle siding, crisp white windows and trim, metal roofing stone accents and a custom cupola atop the three car garage. It also features a modern and up to date interior as well, with everything you'd expect in a true coastal farmhouse. With a beautiful nearly flat back yard, looking out to a golf course this property also includes abundant outdoor living spaces, a beautiful barn and an oversized koi pond for the owners to enjoy.

Ballinlough Road

Loïc DEHAYE ARCHITECTS

2 Story Vienna Edition

Skill Construction & Design, LLC

Vienna Addition Skill Construction & Design, LLC, Design/Build a two-story addition to include remodeling the kitchen and connecting to the adjoining rooms, creating a great room for this family of four. After removing the side office and back patio, it was replaced with a great room connected to the newly renovated kitchen with an eating area that doubles as a homework area for the children. There was plenty of space left over for a walk-in pantry, powder room, and office/craft room. The second story design was for an Adult’s Only oasis; this was designed for the parents to have a permitted Staycation. This space includes a Grand Master bedroom with three walk-in closets, and a sitting area, with plenty of room for a king size bed. This room was not been completed until we brought the outdoors in; this was created with the three big picture windows allowing the parents to look out at their Zen Patio. The Master Bathroom includes a double size jet tub, his & her walk-in shower, and his & her double vanity with plenty of storage and two hideaway hampers. The exterior was created to bring a modern craftsman style feel, these rich architectural details are displayed around the windows with simple geometric lines and symmetry throughout. Craftsman style is an extension of its natural surroundings. This addition is a reflection of indigenous wood and stone sturdy, defined structure with clean yet prominent lines and exterior details, while utilizing low-maintenance, high-performance materials. We love the artisan style of intricate details and the use of natural materials of this Vienna, VA addition. We especially loved working with the family to Design & Build a space that meets their family’s needs as they grow.

The Picture Frame House

DSDG Architects

The concept began with creating an international style modern residence taking full advantage of the 360 degree views of Sarasota downtown, the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay and New Pass. A court yard is surrounded by the home which integrates outdoor and indoor living. This 6,400 square foot residence is designed around a central courtyard which connects the garage and guest house in the front, to the main house in the rear via fire bowl and lap pool lined walkway on the first level and bridge on the second level. The architecture is ridged yet fluid with the use of teak stained cypress and shade sails that create fluidity and movement in the architecture. The courtyard becomes a private day and night-time oasis with fire, water and cantilevered stair case leading to the front door which seconds as bleacher style seating for watching swimmers in the 60 foot long wet edge lap pool. A royal palm tree orchard frame the courtyard for a true tropical experience. The façade of the residence is made up of a series of picture frames that frame the architecture and the floor to ceiling glass throughout. The rear covered balcony takes advantage of maximizing the views with glass railings and free spanned structure. The bow of the balcony juts out like a ship breaking free from the rear frame to become the second level scenic overlook. This overlook is rivaled by the full roof top terrace that is made up of wood decking and grass putting green which has a 360 degree panorama of the surroundings. The floor plan is a reverse style plan with the secondary bedrooms and rooms on the first floor and the great room, kitchen and master bedroom on the second floor to maximize the views in the most used rooms of the house. The residence accomplishes the goals in which were set forth by creating modern design in scale, warmth, form and function.

FROG = extra space for the entire family

Guenther Designs & Consulting LLC

The client wanted to benefit their entire family via this renovation. We create a new 2 car garage that has a gracious master suite above it. This allow the oldest child to move into the old first floor master, and the other children each have their own rooms. A deep and shaded front porch was added to the home. The blue siding and white trim have a nice contrast between one another

820 Balboa

Flagg Coastal Homes

TUMBLE CREEK custom home

Design Harmony

Rockaway Farmhouse

Kingston Homes

Modern One Story in Park Place, The Dalles OR

Curtis Homes

Rear View

The House Designers

Rear view of The Durham Modern Farmhouse. View THD-1053: https://www.thehousedesigners.com/plan/1053/

Work in Progress: New Contemporary Home

QMA Architects

New three story contemporary home in Ventnor, NJ

COMPLETED & SOLD 2020.12 293 WESTLEY STREET

ARK Builders

Custom built home in the much sought after downtown Fairhope, Alabama.

Cape Coral, FL-Contemporary Coastal West Indies

Wright Jenkins Home Design

Eastlady-Beverly Hills

PRM Custom Builders

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.