So here’s the thing. When people talk about designing a house, everyone always jumps straight to the inside stuff. Kitchens, bathrooms, floors, fancy lighting, all that. Which is cool and all but like, yo – the outside of your house matters too. Like… A LOT.
Curb appeal is real. Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see, and honestly, it kinda sets the mood. Even if you’re not tryna flex, you still want your place to look nice, right?
Anyway, exterior home design can be super fun, but also kinda overwhelming cause there’s soooo many styles and materials and little details that can either make or break the vibe. So if you’re building a new house or thinking of remodeling, here’s some thoughts, ideas, and stuff I’ve picked up (some the hard way lol).
Start With the Style (Because If You Mix Too Much It Might Look Weird)
Okay so first up, you gotta pick a general style or “vibe” for your exterior. Not saying you have to follow a strict rulebook or anything, but like, mixing farmhouse with modern with mediterranean and a touch of medieval castle might not go so well together
Here’s a few popular styles you might’ve seen:
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Modern – clean lines, flat roofs sometimes, big windows, minimal colors
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Craftsman – natural materials like wood + stone, exposed beams, warm colors
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Farmhouse – white siding, black windows, gable roofs, kinda country but cute
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Mediterranean – clay tiles, stucco walls, arches, warm earth tones
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Colonial – symmetrical, classic windows, usually brick or wood
Figure out what style you like and kinda base your choices off that. Doesn’t have to be perfect match, but try not to clash things too much or it might just end up lookin’ confused lol.
Siding: So Many Choices It’s Kinda Annoying
Okay, siding is a big one. This is what covers most of your house’s walls and it totally changes how it looks.
Some options are:
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Vinyl siding – cheap, low maintenance, comes in lots of colors but can look kinda cheap if done wrong
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Wood – looks gorgeous but high maintenance. Weather, bugs, and rot can be a pain
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Brick – classic, strong, lasts forever basically. But expensive and hard to change later
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Stone veneer – gives that fancy look without the full cost of real stone
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Stucco – common in warm climates. Smooth and modern looking. Can crack tho
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Fiber cement (like Hardie Board) – looks like wood but more durable. A lot of ppl love this stuff now
Don’t forget – how it feels matters too. Texture adds character. Mix textures sometimes works really nice, like stone on the bottom and wood or siding on the top.
Color Schemes – Please Don’t Just Pick Beige
Okay this is where people freeze up. Picking exterior colors is scary cause it’s not like painting a bedroom. It’s gonna be there and it’s big.
Tips:
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Look at the neighborhood but don’t copy-paste. You want to stand out just a bit.
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Get samples! Paint swatches look way different on a wall than they do on your screen or even the store.
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Try classic combos like white + black trim, navy + crisp white, or charcoal gray + natural wood accents.
Also, don’t be afraid to add a pop of color on your front door. Red, yellow, teal – it’s a fun little detail that makes a big difference.
Roof – Not Just Something You Forget About
Roofs matter more than people think. It’s like the “hair” of your house lol. If it looks weird or old or clashes, it can throw everything off.
Common roof types:
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Asphalt shingles – most common, affordable, but doesn’t last as long
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Metal roofs – modern looking, super durable, but $$$
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Tile roofs – seen in Mediterranean or Spanish styles, heavy and pricey but beautiful
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Wood shakes – rustic and pretty but high maintenance
Roof color is big too. Darker roofs absorb heat, lighter ones reflect. Depends where you live. And don’t forget gutters and trim – those need to match too!
Windows – Yes, They’re Part of Exterior Design Too
Windows are kinda the eyes of your house, no joke. The size, style, and even the frames can change the whole vibe.
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Black frames = modern, bold
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White frames = classic, safe
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Grids (muntins?) inside the glass = traditional look
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No grids = more modern and clean
Also bigger isn’t always better. A huge front window might look awkward if the rest of the house has tiny ones. Keep it balanced.
Garage Doors – Lowkey Important
You’d be surprised how much a garage door changes the way the house looks. If it’s in the front and it’s boring, it’s gonna make the whole house feel blah.
You can get cool modern glass doors, wood-look carriage doors, even ones with windows. It doesn’t have to just be a flat white door unless that’s your thing.
Landscaping + Lighting = Cherry on Top
You can have the nicest exterior design in the world but if the yard is dead and there’s no lights it’s gonna look sad.
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Plant stuff! Even if it’s just shrubs or a couple trees. It frames the house.
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Add some pathway lighting or lights near the front door.
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Uplighting under trees or downlights over the garage looks awesome at night.
And keep the grass mowed please
Mistakes I See All The Time (And Some I Made)
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Going too trendy (remember the all-gray era?? yeah.)
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Forgetting symmetry
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Putting big features on one side and not balancing it out
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Skipping on outdoor lighting
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Choosing paint colors that look good in shade but bad in sunlight
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Not thinking about resale — if you’re doing pink stucco with a green roof… maybe rethink that??
Final Thoughts
Designing the exterior of your house is a big project but it’s worth the effort. When you pull into the driveway and love what you see — that’s a good feeling. Take your time. Look at inspo online, drive around nice neighborhoods, take pics of houses you like (not in a creepy way lol), and slowly figure out what you want.
There’s no “perfect” look. Just what feels right for you and your home.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is just based on my own experience, opinions, and general info I’ve seen online or learned over time. I’m not an architect, designer, or professional builder. So don’t go repaint your whole house based just on what I said Always talk to actual professionals before doing big changes, and double check stuff like building codes or HOA rules (if you have one). This is for general info and fun, not expert advice!