Trending Now: Ideas From the Most Popular Exteriors
Houzz users’ favorite photos in early 2018 include a wide range of styles and smart design concepts
Becky Harris
April 14, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
The most popular new exterior photos in the first three months of 2018 are full of great ideas applied to a range of styles. And a wide range it was: The most popular architectural styles varied from traditional to contemporary, from transitional to modern, with the modern farmhouse look still making the strongest showing. Here are some great ideas plucked from the most popular exterior photos — as measured by how many Houzz users added them to their ideabooks — and an inspirational idea from each.
Modern Farmhouses
Modern farmhouse style has been growing in popularity for the past few years and doesn’t show signs of waning anytime soon. The architecture of these houses is not one size fits all, though there is a shared design vocabulary. This Maryland home shows many of the classic farmhouse elements we see applied to the modern farmhouse style — a standing-seam metal roof, an extensive front porch, two-over-two windows and board-and-batten siding. Crisp white siding with contrasting black window muntins lends a modern vibe.
Great idea: Add a splash of color on the front door. This cheerful red door nods to traditional American barns.
See inside this house
Modern farmhouse style has been growing in popularity for the past few years and doesn’t show signs of waning anytime soon. The architecture of these houses is not one size fits all, though there is a shared design vocabulary. This Maryland home shows many of the classic farmhouse elements we see applied to the modern farmhouse style — a standing-seam metal roof, an extensive front porch, two-over-two windows and board-and-batten siding. Crisp white siding with contrasting black window muntins lends a modern vibe.
Great idea: Add a splash of color on the front door. This cheerful red door nods to traditional American barns.
See inside this house
A mix of open patio and covered porches makes up the multifunctional back facade of this modern farmhouse in Denver.
Great idea: Design outdoor living spaces according to the adjacent indoor spaces for a stronger indoor-outdoor connection. This outdoor kitchen and grilling area is right off the indoor kitchen, while doors from the dining room open wide for guests to continue the party out to the outdoor lounge for alfresco after-dinner drinks.
See inside this house | Browse outdoor lounge furniture
Great idea: Design outdoor living spaces according to the adjacent indoor spaces for a stronger indoor-outdoor connection. This outdoor kitchen and grilling area is right off the indoor kitchen, while doors from the dining room open wide for guests to continue the party out to the outdoor lounge for alfresco after-dinner drinks.
See inside this house | Browse outdoor lounge furniture
This farmhouse in Oregon’s Willamette Valley gets its charm from elements like the roofline’s gables and dormers and the square peekaboo windows.
Great idea: It’s the wraparound porch that makes the exterior so welcoming. Rocking chairs, porch swings and hanging plants were made for wraparound porches.
See inside this house
Great idea: It’s the wraparound porch that makes the exterior so welcoming. Rocking chairs, porch swings and hanging plants were made for wraparound porches.
See inside this house
Farmhouse With Natural Materials
This inviting Georgia home’s simple, no-nonsense shape has a frontier spirit to it.
Great idea: The additional natural materials like the stone chimneys and wood posts and railings on the porch offer rugged contrast to the white board-and-batten siding and metal roof.
See inside this house
This inviting Georgia home’s simple, no-nonsense shape has a frontier spirit to it.
Great idea: The additional natural materials like the stone chimneys and wood posts and railings on the porch offer rugged contrast to the white board-and-batten siding and metal roof.
See inside this house
This popular exterior in Montana uses a similar palette composed in a different way.
Great idea: The right side of the house references the original rustic log cabins that dotted this region.
See inside this house
Great idea: The right side of the house references the original rustic log cabins that dotted this region.
See inside this house
Preserved Classics
The most popular list was not all about new construction — Houzzers were drawn to classic older homes as well. For example, this 1915 Colonial in Massachusetts received an interior renovation that updated it for modern life but thoughtfully preserved the lovely 100-year-old exterior. Other exterior photos that landed in the top 20 most popular photos included a Craftsman cottage and a New England Colonial.
Great idea: I’ve seen a lot of great facades ruined by wonky, out-of-proportion posts and railings. This house is an example of how to design these right — check out the gracious scale of the Doric columns and the unusual pattern in the railings.
See inside this house | Check out exterior shutters
The most popular list was not all about new construction — Houzzers were drawn to classic older homes as well. For example, this 1915 Colonial in Massachusetts received an interior renovation that updated it for modern life but thoughtfully preserved the lovely 100-year-old exterior. Other exterior photos that landed in the top 20 most popular photos included a Craftsman cottage and a New England Colonial.
Great idea: I’ve seen a lot of great facades ruined by wonky, out-of-proportion posts and railings. This house is an example of how to design these right — check out the gracious scale of the Doric columns and the unusual pattern in the railings.
See inside this house | Check out exterior shutters
Transitional
This elegant home has classic proportions and lines, but its stripped-down ornamentation, limited material palette, concrete sidewalk and aluminum windows mix in modern elements that give it transitional style.
Great idea: A grand entry court makes walking up to this home a pleasure. The flowering trees, wide walkway and brick wall that matches the home’s facade create a lovely procession to those glorious glass doors, which allow a view all the way through the house.
See inside this house
This elegant home has classic proportions and lines, but its stripped-down ornamentation, limited material palette, concrete sidewalk and aluminum windows mix in modern elements that give it transitional style.
Great idea: A grand entry court makes walking up to this home a pleasure. The flowering trees, wide walkway and brick wall that matches the home’s facade create a lovely procession to those glorious glass doors, which allow a view all the way through the house.
See inside this house
Rugged Modern
This house in California near Lake Tahoe takes its cues from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, with its use of stone and dramatic cantilevers.
Great idea: By integrating the recessed outdoor lights in a thoughtful arrangement under the cantilevers, the facade remains uncluttered, orderly and well-lit at night.
See inside this house
This house in California near Lake Tahoe takes its cues from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, with its use of stone and dramatic cantilevers.
Great idea: By integrating the recessed outdoor lights in a thoughtful arrangement under the cantilevers, the facade remains uncluttered, orderly and well-lit at night.
See inside this house
The fieldstone-and-wood facade helps this home in Vail, Colorado, fit right into the mountainside site.
Great idea: As you peruse the interior photos, you’ll see that the balcony in this photo is off the living room. Elevating the main living space lets everyone enjoy the best Rocky Mountain views instead of having one bedroom’s occupant hog all the scenery.
See inside this house
Great idea: As you peruse the interior photos, you’ll see that the balcony in this photo is off the living room. Elevating the main living space lets everyone enjoy the best Rocky Mountain views instead of having one bedroom’s occupant hog all the scenery.
See inside this house
Modern
International Style influenced the design of this new Australian home.
Great idea: The proportions of a street-facing garage often overwhelm and ruin the rest of an otherwise beautiful facade. But the designer of this house gracefully incorporated the garage door into the exterior, arranging the different materials in a balanced, color-blocked way. The garage is part of a block that also incorporates the front door. Without the driveway to clue us in, we would never know that the portion to the right is a garage. Another detail worth noting is how the front walk takes its cues from the house — its proportions are wide and chunky.
See inside this house
International Style influenced the design of this new Australian home.
Great idea: The proportions of a street-facing garage often overwhelm and ruin the rest of an otherwise beautiful facade. But the designer of this house gracefully incorporated the garage door into the exterior, arranging the different materials in a balanced, color-blocked way. The garage is part of a block that also incorporates the front door. Without the driveway to clue us in, we would never know that the portion to the right is a garage. Another detail worth noting is how the front walk takes its cues from the house — its proportions are wide and chunky.
See inside this house
Share: What kinds of exteriors are you searching for on Houzz? Have you gleaned any great ideas from studying them? Please share with us in the Comments.
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I am delighted to see front porches not blocked by large bushes. When I moved into my house, I had all the bushes that hid the porch from the street removed and WOW, what a wonderful difference it made even before adding low evergreens and grasses for a simple modern landscape design. During the summer the porch is my favorite room. It's where I spend most of my time and from where I can wave to my neighbors walking in the neighborhood.
I’d like to see some one story ranch styles done in Coastal,Cape Cod, with a swing in driveway and garage!!!