Home, courtyard and carriage house compound, Montclair, NJ

this 1920s carriage house was substantially rebuilt and linked to the main residence via new garden gate and private courtyard. Care was taken in matching brick and stucco detailing.

Royal Hill

KTB Architecture

N Columbus St/ Old Town Alexandria/Historic Row Home Renovation

Impressive Home Solutions Group, LLC

Fitzroy North House

MMAD Architecture

The original facade has been restored and gives nothing away to the modern changes that are within. Image by: Jack Lovel Photography Builders: DIMPAT Construction

Beaconsfield Village Third Floor Addition

Creative Union Network Inc.

Located in the West area of Toronto, this back/third floor addition brings light and air to this traditional Victorian row house.

Historic Queen Village

Jibe Design

We expanded the attic of a historic row house to include the owner's suite. The addition involved raising the rear portion of roof behind the current peak to provide a full-height bedroom. The street-facing sloped roof and dormer were left intact to ensure the addition would not mar the historic facade by being visible to passers-by. We adapted the front dormer into a sweet and novel bathroom.

VILLA 01 - Patio à Fontenay sous bois

parages

La VILLA 01 se situe sur un site très atypique de 5m de large et de 100m de long. La maison se développe sur deux étages autour d'un patio central permettant d'apporter la lumière naturelle au cœur de l'habitat. Dessinée en séquences, l'ensemble des espaces servants (gaines réseaux, escaliers, WC, buanderies...) se concentre le long du mitoyen afin de libérer la perspective d'un bout à l'autre de la maison.

Pinacle Project Design (Planning)

Image Urbaine Inc.

Washington, DC Retro Remodel and Bump-up

FineCraft Contractors, Inc.

The rear of the row house open to the patio. A complete restoration and addition bump up to this row house in Washington, DC. has left it simply gorgeous. When we started there were studs and sub floors. This is a project that we're delighted with the turnout.

Davis Residence

Barry Connor Design

View from the street.

Cambridge Road

IQ Glass UK

An external view of the rear glass extension. The extension adds space and light to the new kitchen and dining extension. The glass box includes a rear elevation of slim sliding doors with a structural glass roof above.

Garden View

Analogue (formerly EN Architects)

Our ’Corten Extension’ project; new open plan kitchen-diner as part of a side-return and rear single storey extension and remodel to a Victorian terrace. The Corten blends in beautifully with the existing brick whilst the plan form kicks out towards the garden to create a small sheltered seating area.

Light Spacious Rear Extension

Wellstudio Architecture

Side and rear extension for the client's five bedroom Victorian villa on Telegraph Hill. Wellstudio designed an extension to transform the ground floor living space for the growing family, giving them a new light filled volume at the rear of their house which would enhance their wellbeing: space where they could relax, chat, cook, and eat. The new extension increased the length of the space by approximately 3 metres and allowed the floor to ceiling height to be increased from 2.85metres to 3.4 metres, bringing in extra light and a feeling of elevation. The new volume also extended approximately 1 metre to the side to further increase the space available. The project enhanced the family's connection with nature by providing much increased levels of natural light and rear glass doors overlooking the garden.

Block Colour Extension - Richmond

alsoCAN Architects

This image was taken under construction but I like the dynamic angles. The house is an addition to a Victorian workers cottage that was overshadowed by more recent townhouse developments. We designed the addition at the front as an infill between other blocky townhouses, using block colour and vertical battens to define it from its neighbours. photo by Jane McDougall builder Bond Building Group

Central city downsizer

Four Walls Architecture

At night the house glows lantern-like in the street, with fun contrast between the black and white cladding.

Georgetown Townhouse 1

Weil Friedman Architects

This is the rear addition designed for a tiny Georgetown rowhouse. It recalls the look of a carriage house with the large arched opening and simple symmetrical design.

Small Townhouse 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.