Bonjour and welcome to the Art of the Home gallery of gorgeous home exteriors we think might pique your interest. Please enjoy your visit!
A house with a beautiful exterior makes an instant impression. It makes us want to linger and look at the whole house at every angle, and we take notice of the tiny details that make the entire look so attractive. It also significantly boosts the curb appeal of the home and entices guests to enjoy their visit. A carefully thought-out and designed home exterior not only adds beauty but speaks volumes of what one can expect to see inside. It shows the personality and style preference of the homeowner from the get-go. A well-maintained exterior also protects the integrity of the home from the elements, it should be structurally sound (durable siding, clean and even gutters, high quality roof). Overall, it means that the home is healthy and lovingly kept in good condition inside and out.
A beautiful home exterior starts with the choice of materials. There are so many materials to choose from. You can use wood, concrete, stucco, or bricks for your walls — metal for roofing material, clay tiles, asphalt or slate shingles. For the design, the portico or front stoop takes center stage. It defines the entrance to your home and sets the tone for the rest of the exterior. The design should flow from there for a cohesive and harmonious look. Want a strong and stately look? You can put columns and stone pillars to flank your entrance door, which you could have customized together with the windows. Paint can highlight details and architectural features, and the use of color in the same palette, moldings, and the trims can tie everything up together. The pathway leading to the stoop can be made of stone, or concrete slabs, or any other paver which could blend with the landscaping. The garden or lawn will further enhance the look of the exterior with the addition of trees, topiaries, and flowering plants. Retaining walls and raised plant beds could be made of the same material as the pathways or the exterior base walls of the house. You could also put a fence for safety which could look decorative as well. White picket fences with arbors or wrought iron ones with scrollwork will be a nice finishing touch. Keeping everything well maintained will make sure your home exterior stays at its best for years to come. Now you can take a step back and let your eyes enjoy the sight.
Please join us as we take a stroll down the lane of hand-picked home exterior ideas. We hope to help you pick an inspiration or two for your dream home project. Beautiful day to you!
1. English Cottage Garden…
The Little Plus: the multi-colored hydrangea parterre lining the pathway to the front door. And the stone pavers call back the color of the wood shakes on the roof. Beautiful windows with green casing perfectly match the French doors. And how about these lovely transom windows — add to the overall cottage charm.
2. House of Hostas…
The Little Plus: the gabled roof and mix of eyebrow and shed dormer windows. Its pinwheel design give your home a classic (but playful) touch with a front porch and stoop surrounded by hefty stone pillars and columns! The stone walkup and hosta plant edging completes this lovely exterior.
3. Yellow Joy…
The Little Plus: the beautiful yellow on the lower level and the upper-level clapboard siding — a mix that works wonders. And the gabled dormer windows making sure the upper rooms enjoy the summer breeze. Give your whole block a punch of color with this exterior, complete with complementing white porch trim and railing, and matching trim on the doors and double-hung windows. And how about the lush garden of fragrant hot pink roses that gives the place extra pizazz!
4. French Charmer…
The Little Plus: the brick and stone siding and wood shingled roof. Inspired by French cottages, this 2-story brick and stone exterior features a gabled roof and eyebrow dormers that match the rustic arched stone entry. French windows invite light into the home while green board and batten shutters protect the windows from strong winds, rain and also provide privacy. And love how the landscaping with raised beds and hedges in varying heights act as a natural fence.
5. Shingled Cape Cod…
The Little Plus: the cedar shingle siding. And the warm brown color of the shingled roof in this Cape Cod blends into the natural landscape while giving off an appealing textured look to the home. Also, notice how the front door with sidelights calls back the shuttered double hung windows and casing…a beautiful abundance of sunlight showering the interior. Notice the window box displaying spring colored flowers and the rose bushes that works as a border to the property. Such a pretty fence of flowers.
6. Gabled Stone…
The Little Plus: the woodwork on the gabled roofs. This home exterior is proof that the little details truly make an extra impact, as seen in the cedar gable brackets. And the stone columns supporting the portico, paired with the low stone fence presents an impressive appearance — low enough to highlight the striking details of the home exterior.
7. Coastal Charmer…
The Little Plus: the smooth lap siding — its horizontal lengths matched with the double hung windows all over the home create clean and fresh lines. Contrasting black window shutters create depth and dimension to this home exterior…and they also match the wrought iron outdoor lanterns, twin lighting posts, and brick stair railing. Finally, the front door canopy with corbels is the finishing touch to this beautiful curbside home.