This home sat empty for 15 years, until it became uninhabitable. The new owners inherited it from grandparents, and had us take it down to the foundation, and start from scratch. The spacious-looking interior belies the home’s 800 sq. ft. footprint. With clever straight-through flow, the living room, kitchen, and dining room combine for a relaxed, uncrowded look. A master and second bedroom round out the space. Several clever touches make this a cozy, in-town living space.

The SUNSET Model at THE COTTAGES

The Cottage Building Company

Mark Ballard

Modern Farmhouse

Daniel Contelmo Architects

A 2-story, 3-car garage is attached to the left side of the house. Photo by Daniel Contelmo Jr.

The 21st Century Ranch

RD Architecture, LLC

Holland Residence

CARIB DANIEL MARTIN architecture and design llc

New 5,000 square foot farmhouse in Cabin John, MD. Photography: Katherine Ma, Studio by MAK

White Family Cabin

Concept Architecture, LLC

North Elevation covered deck looks over yard area. Focus Photography NW

Texas Coastal Home

Kelley Design Group

New Frenchtown Bungalow

Al Droste & Sons Construction Company

Verdae Crest Home | Ruskin Square

Milestone Custom Homes

White colonial house with plantation shutters and a double porch elevation. Classic southern look with its courtyard entry and oversized windows.

Eclectic Cape Cod Transitional Style Home

David Charlez Designs

A unique L shape designed home which features a 3 car garage with bonus area above the garage, steep gables and mix of shed roof pitches make this house simply remarkable - Photo by Landmark Photography

Cottage

Edgewater Design Group

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Chicago, IL James Hardie Siding Dutch Colonial White Exterior

Siding & Windows Group Ltd

Chicago, IL Exterior Siding Remodel. This Chicago, IL Dutch Colonial Style Home was remodeled by Siding & Windows Group with James HardiePlank Select Cedarmill Lap Siding and HardieTrim Smooth Boards in ColorPlus Technology Color Arctic White plus Hardie Soffit. Also re-did Arched Front Entry, installed Vinyl Fypon Shutters in Black with crossheads, top and bottom frieze boards.

Clopay Canyon Ridge Collection Limited Edition Series

Clopay

Highland House

GriD architects

Paul Burk

Classic Transformation

Knight Architects LLC

Exterior of traditional colonial, renovated with new covered side door entry into mud room. Photography by Pete Weigley

Approach

Tindall Architecture Workshop

Contemporary Farmhouse

Alair Homes Chilliwack

This contemporary farmhouse is located on a scenic acreage in Greendale, BC. It features an open floor plan with room for hosting a large crowd, a large kitchen with double wall ovens, tons of counter space, a custom range hood and was designed to maximize natural light. Shed dormers with windows up high flood the living areas with daylight. The stairwells feature more windows to give them an open, airy feel, and custom black iron railings designed and crafted by a talented local blacksmith. The home is very energy efficient, featuring R32 ICF construction throughout, R60 spray foam in the roof, window coatings that minimize solar heat gain, an HRV system to ensure good air quality, and LED lighting throughout. A large covered patio with a wood burning fireplace provides warmth and shelter in the shoulder seasons. Carsten Arnold Photography

Traditional Charleston Style Home

Grayson Dare Homes, Inc.

Westlake Remodel

Ariel Bleich Design

This southern style home features double hieght entry porch and columns, true divided lite windows with shutters, and antique brick path and a pale pink front door.

Lighthouse Landing

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

House Exterior Design Ideas with Concrete Fiberboard Siding

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.