This 800 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit steps down a lush site in the Portland Hills. The street facing balcony features a sculptural bronze and concrete trough spilling water into a deep basin. The split-level entry divides upper-level living and lower level sleeping areas. Generous south facing decks, visually expand the building's area and connect to a canopy of trees. The mid-century modern details and materials of the main house are continued into the addition. Inside a ribbon of white-washed oak flows from the entry foyer to the lower level, wrapping the stairs and walls with its warmth. Upstairs the wood's texture is seen in stark relief to the polished concrete floors and the crisp white walls of the vaulted space. Downstairs the wood, coupled with the muted tones of moss green walls, lend the sleeping area a tranquil feel. Contractor: Ricardo Lovett General Contracting Photographer: David Papazian Photography

Exterior Color Consultation

emily lauderback stewart design and renovation

Medick Way

Jamee Parish Architects, LLC

This is a colonial revival home where we added a substantial addition and remodeled most of the existing spaces. The kitchen was enlarged and opens into a new screen porch and back yard.

Shilo Ranch Compound

Miller-Roodell Architects Ltd

Set in Montana's tranquil Shields River Valley, the Shilo Ranch Compound is a collection of structures that were specifically built on a relatively smaller scale, to maximize efficiency. The main house has two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, bath and adjacent greenhouse, while two guest homes within the compound can sleep a total of 12 friends and family. There's also a common gathering hall, for dinners, games, and time together. The overall feel here is of sophisticated simplicity, with plaster walls, concrete and wood floors, and weathered boards for exteriors. The placement of each building was considered closely when envisioning how people would move through the property, based on anticipated needs and interests. Sustainability and consumption was also taken into consideration, as evidenced by the photovoltaic panels on roof of the garage, and the capability to shut down any of the compound's buildings when not in use.

7th Street Del Mar Exterior

Kristin Lam Interiors

Modern beach house exterior with teak deck. Don Anderson

Компактная дача в стиле барнхаус.

Heidi A. Long

JR Windows, Doors & Garage Doors

Long panel custom size door in sandstone

Coup D'Etat

Photos by Will Austin

Vina's Tiny House

Sol Haus Design

Exterior deck doubles the living space for my teeny tiny house! All the wood for the deck is reclaimed from fallen trees and siding from an old house. The french doors and kitchen window is also reclaimed. Photo: Chibi Moku

Ravenna 4 Star Built Green Renovation

LimeLite Development

4 Star Built Green Renovation in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood- exterior

Berkeley Craftsman Expansion

ilumus, llc.

Ramona d'Viola - ilumus photography & marketing Blue Dog Renovation & Construction Workshop 30 Architects

Chicken Coop - 8' x 8'

Jamaica Cottage Shop Inc

via our website product page ~ "This coop is the newest addition in our ever expanding line of Chicken shelters. The attractive little building comes complete with nesting boxes to house your chicken population. Nest box access and Egg collection has been simplified with the addition of four sliding egg doors. This Chicken Coop is the newest addition in our ever expanding line of poultry and livestock shelters. This attractive little coop comes complete with nesting boxes to house your chicken flock. Egg collection has been simplified with the addition of four sliding egg doors. Our Chicken coops are constructed without a floor to allow the chickens to access the natural ground. In the colder months, lining the bottom of the coop with hay will keep your fowl friends comfortable. All of our woodsheds, storage sheds, garden sheds, chicken coops, cottages and utility enclosures are built of the finest Vermont lumber and handcrafted for long life and durability. New England weather can really put a wood garden shed or cottage to the test, and Jamaica Cottage Shop’s products have proven to stand the test of time."

Craftsman Style - Exterior Garage

Architecture Studio, Inc.

Exterior wood garage door

Fitzrovia Mews -External view

Norton Ellis Architects

Killian O'Sullivan

Contemporary House extension

Donnell & Day Architecture

An entry area marks the separation between the old house and the new extension. The cedar runs from the new external wall through the internal space. Photographer: Kim Neville

Copper House

Takt | Studio for Architecture

Shantanu Starick

Front Porch

David Watkins Home Design, LLC

Small 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.