Custom home near Miami, FL.

The Ford-Farlice-Rubio House features straw bale walls, traditional clay and lime plasters with artisan tile inlays, a locally-harvested and milled timber frame, and a super-insulated envelope using densepack cellulose. Photos by Kelly Griffith of Closed Circle Photography

Walnut Woods Residence

John Senhauser Architects

Taking its cues from both persona and place, this residence seeks to reconcile a difficult, walnut-wooded site with the late client’s desire to live in a log home in the woods. The residence was conceived as a 24 ft x 150 ft linear bar rising into the trees from northwest to southeast. Positioned according to subdivision covenants, the structure bridges 40 ft across an existing intermittent creek, thereby preserving the natural drainage patterns and habitat. The residence’s long and narrow massing allowed many of the trees to remain, enabling the client to live in a wooded environment. A requested pool “grotto” and porte cochere complete the site interventions. The structure’s section rises successively up a cascading stair to culminate in a glass-enclosed meditative space (known lovingly as the “bird feeder”), providing access to the grass roof via an exterior stair. The walnut trees, cleared from the site during construction, were locally milled and returned to the residence as hardwood flooring. Photo Credit: Eric Williams (Sophisticated Living magazine)

Vail Guest House

Coburn Design Build

This small guest house is built into the side of the hill and opens up to majestic views of Vail Mountain. The living room cantilevers over the garage below and helps create the feeling of the room floating over the valley below. The house also features a green roof to help minimize the impacts on the house above.

Sundance Preserve

Kelly & Stone Architects

Tim Stone

Tranquility

Natale Design/Build

Trees on the Roof

Meditch Murphey Architects

Michael Moran

Carriage House Estate

OLSON LEWIS + Architects

Each wing of this former stable and carriage house became separate homes for two brothers. Although the structure is symmetrical from the exterior, it is uniquely distinct inside. The two siblings have different personalities and lifestyles; each wing takes on characteristics of the brother inhabiting it. The domed and vaulted space between the two wings functions as their common area and can be used to host large- scale social events. Contractor: Brackett Construction Photographer: Greg Premru Photography

Haus L-S

Duda Architekten GmbH

Fotos: Christian Richters, Berlin

Key West Deck

John F. Heltzel AIA, PC Architects

Back of residence in Key West, Florida, USA.

Large 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.