The lovely side entrance is just as inviting as the front entry.

Designer Lyne Brunet

ORIJIN STONE'S Alder™ Limestone veneer adds organic texture to this modern - yet cozy - northern lake retreat. Designed with layered neutral materials and refreshing design, the substantial stone element adds dimension and timeless character. Architect: Peterssen Keller Builder: Elevation Homes Designer: Studio McGee Photographer: Lucy Call

Modern Cottage

House Sprucing

This was a new build construction home we were asked to design. We worked with the builder starting with the floor plan design, all the way thru finish out.

Custom Stone and Siding Project in Boulder Colorado

Siding Design Pro / SDP Renovation

Traditional Entry Door with a Modern Upgrade

Clark Hall Doors

These custom traditional doors add beauty to any space, featuring personalized glass panels, handcrafted hardware, and a Dark Bronze finish.

In Town Farmhouse

Lemburg House

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.

Fallstone Mill Drive

Whalen Custom Homes

Modern Suburban Home

Patrick Farley Architect

Kip Dawkins Photography

JSD Builders - Coquina Project

SIW Impact Windows & Doors

J Quick Studios LLC

2016 Parade of Homes

McGuire Builders, Inc.

Walter Galaviz Photography

Westfield Project

Hoss Building Group, Inc./ Hoss Homes

Front Elevation

Hotard General Contracting Lakeview

Jefferson Door Company

House was built by Hotard General Contracting, Inc. Jefferson Door supplied: exterior doors (custom Sapele mahogany), interior doors (Masonite), windows custom Sapele mahogany windows on the front and (Integrity by Marvin Windows) on the sides and back, columns (HB&G), crown moulding, baseboard and door hardware (Emtek).

Landmark Photography

Jasmine McClelland Design

This is a great photo of the exterior cladding and black framed windows of this cubist home. The floor to ceiling windows on the ground floor enjoy views to the pool on one side of the home and the tennis court on the other. Sarah Wood Photography

Charles Residence

VictorEric Design+Build

Westeck Windows Projects

Home Advantage Remodeling, LLC

Margaret - Farmhouse

Visbeen Architects

Builder: Homes by True North Interior Designer: L. Rose Interiors Photographer: M-Buck Studio This charming house wraps all of the conveniences of a modern, open concept floor plan inside of a wonderfully detailed modern farmhouse exterior. The front elevation sets the tone with its distinctive twin gable roofline and hipped main level roofline. Large forward facing windows are sheltered by a deep and inviting front porch, which is further detailed by its use of square columns, rafter tails, and old world copper lighting. Inside the foyer, all of the public spaces for entertaining guests are within eyesight. At the heart of this home is a living room bursting with traditional moldings, columns, and tiled fireplace surround. Opposite and on axis with the custom fireplace, is an expansive open concept kitchen with an island that comfortably seats four. During the spring and summer months, the entertainment capacity of the living room can be expanded out onto the rear patio featuring stone pavers, stone fireplace, and retractable screens for added convenience. When the day is done, and it’s time to rest, this home provides four separate sleeping quarters. Three of them can be found upstairs, including an office that can easily be converted into an extra bedroom. The master suite is tucked away in its own private wing off the main level stair hall. Lastly, more entertainment space is provided in the form of a lower level complete with a theatre room and exercise space.

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.