Before and After: 5 Delightful Exterior Makeovers
See how new materials, bold paint colors and fresh landscaping transform these home exteriors
Bryan Anthony
April 27, 2020
A drab 1960s ranch gets a new white board-and-batten exterior and fresh modern-farmhouse style. A weathered 1937 barn finds new life as a barn house with a striking black exterior. Those are just two of the impressive transformations seen in these before-and-after photos. Tell us which transformation is your favorite!
1. Stylish Second-Floor Addition
Before: Mike and Lesley Vaux of Darling Dwelling Designs bought their 938-square-foot home in San Jose, California, in 2010 as a short sale. “It was in pretty bad condition when we purchased it, but we loved the charm and character of the home and the tree-lined street,” says Lesley, an interior decorator. “The house needed love but was completely livable after a bit of paint and cleanup.”
Before: Mike and Lesley Vaux of Darling Dwelling Designs bought their 938-square-foot home in San Jose, California, in 2010 as a short sale. “It was in pretty bad condition when we purchased it, but we loved the charm and character of the home and the tree-lined street,” says Lesley, an interior decorator. “The house needed love but was completely livable after a bit of paint and cleanup.”
After: Since buying the house, the couple has converted the detached garage and updated the tired ’70s kitchen. Their most recent and significant renovation was prompted by their growing family and included adding a second story that doubled their square footage.
For the home’s exterior, it was important to maintain the existing architectural charm that the homeowners loved. “We wanted it to feel like it had always been in the neighborhood. We wanted to add on in a thoughtful way,” Lesley says. The exterior now features light gray paint and a cheerful yellow front door.
Read more about this exterior makeover
For the home’s exterior, it was important to maintain the existing architectural charm that the homeowners loved. “We wanted it to feel like it had always been in the neighborhood. We wanted to add on in a thoughtful way,” Lesley says. The exterior now features light gray paint and a cheerful yellow front door.
Read more about this exterior makeover
2. Cool Contemporary Facelift
Before: Originally built in the 1890s, this San Francisco Victorian cottage had received some less-than-stellar updates over the years, including low-end plywood siding. But because the siding to the home wasn’t original, and significant modifications had been made after the home’s construction, the current homeowners got the go-ahead to basically tear down almost everything above the garage and rebuild.
Before: Originally built in the 1890s, this San Francisco Victorian cottage had received some less-than-stellar updates over the years, including low-end plywood siding. But because the siding to the home wasn’t original, and significant modifications had been made after the home’s construction, the current homeowners got the go-ahead to basically tear down almost everything above the garage and rebuild.
After: The homeowners brought in the team at Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture to reimagine the house. The new structure includes cedar siding stained in Benjamin Moore’s Arborcoat in Chelsea Gray and applied vertically for a modern twist. The steep roofline complements other rooflines on the street and, coupled with the siding, creates a contemporary barn house vibe. A new fence and glass-paneled garage door finishes off the fresh new look.
Read more about this exterior makeover
Read more about this exterior makeover
3. Reimagined Ranch House
Before: This 1960s ranch house in Costa Mesa, California, suited the homeowners’ desire to be closer to their children and the beach, but it required major attention. So they brought in Denis La Roche of La Roche Architecture to make sense of the chopped-up layout, which had given the laundry room and powder room the best views in the house. The existing house had an entry that was all but invisible. “Nobody could find it,” La Roche says.
Before: This 1960s ranch house in Costa Mesa, California, suited the homeowners’ desire to be closer to their children and the beach, but it required major attention. So they brought in Denis La Roche of La Roche Architecture to make sense of the chopped-up layout, which had given the laundry room and powder room the best views in the house. The existing house had an entry that was all but invisible. “Nobody could find it,” La Roche says.
After: The construction team took the house down to the studs, removed walls and added a new garage and roof to create a more open, light-filled home. “It was kind of a hybrid — half major remodel and half new home,” La Roche says.
The revisioned ranch house now features a new easy-to-find entry, while a white board-and-batten exterior delivers fresh modern-farmhouse style. New landscaping provides a more inviting welcome and stylish curb appeal.
Read more about this exterior makeover
The revisioned ranch house now features a new easy-to-find entry, while a white board-and-batten exterior delivers fresh modern-farmhouse style. New landscaping provides a more inviting welcome and stylish curb appeal.
Read more about this exterior makeover
4. Barn House Goes Bold in Black
Before: The original barn was built in 1937 and sits on a 50-acre property in Medina, Ohio, that also includes an old farmhouse. The homeowners first moved into the farmhouse, but two kids and nearly 10 years later, they realized their growing family had outgrown the space, so they began planning the barn conversion. The couple searched Houzz for help and found Tim Franklin of Franklin & Associates, who had worked on several barn conversions over the years.
Before: The original barn was built in 1937 and sits on a 50-acre property in Medina, Ohio, that also includes an old farmhouse. The homeowners first moved into the farmhouse, but two kids and nearly 10 years later, they realized their growing family had outgrown the space, so they began planning the barn conversion. The couple searched Houzz for help and found Tim Franklin of Franklin & Associates, who had worked on several barn conversions over the years.
After: The homeowners gravitated toward a clean Scandinavian look with warm and rustic elements. So Franklin and his team added several new windows to bring light into the interiors and built a new roof over the existing one to preserve the unique exposed framing that’s now the highlight of the interior.
The upper portion of the exterior is cedar lap siding in a custom dark stain. The lower level is concrete block, also in a custom dark stain.
Read more about this exterior makeover
The upper portion of the exterior is cedar lap siding in a custom dark stain. The lower level is concrete block, also in a custom dark stain.
Read more about this exterior makeover
5. Rustic and Refined Revamp
Before: Turning a nondescript 1990s house into a “gentlemen’s lodge” was the goal for the remodel of this home in Santa Monica, California, says architect Tim Barber of Tim Barber Ltd Architecture. The home’s exterior featured gray shingles and white trim, while the entrance included a portico graced by four white columns. The original house was somewhat coastal in style but overall was “pretty nondescript,” Barber says.
Before: Turning a nondescript 1990s house into a “gentlemen’s lodge” was the goal for the remodel of this home in Santa Monica, California, says architect Tim Barber of Tim Barber Ltd Architecture. The home’s exterior featured gray shingles and white trim, while the entrance included a portico graced by four white columns. The original house was somewhat coastal in style but overall was “pretty nondescript,” Barber says.
After: Wanting to add a warmer and more rustic vibe, Barber and his team covered the exterior in brown shingles, slate gray trim and burnt orange paint for the window panes and the front door. The portico was updated to include a porthole window near the eave, new square pillars and local fieldstone at the base.
More on Houzz
5 Eye-Catching Exterior Transformations
6 Awesome Home Exterior Transformations
Find an architect near you
Shop for outdoor furniture
More on Houzz
5 Eye-Catching Exterior Transformations
6 Awesome Home Exterior Transformations
Find an architect near you
Shop for outdoor furniture
Related Stories
Landscape Design
Before and After: 4 Landscapes That Bring Resort Style Home
Stunning fire pits, luxurious pools, elegant entertaining zones and other relaxing spots give these yards vacation vibes
Full Story
Landscape Design
Before and After: 3 Exuberant, Wildlife-Friendly Landscapes
By Elena Vega
Ho-hum expanses give way to colorful meadow-inspired gardens that encourage butterflies, birds and bees to stay awhile
Full Story
Kitchen Makeovers
Before and After: 4 Uplifting Blue, White and Wood Kitchens
By Elena Vega
Chase away cooking space doldrums with shades of ocean and sky paired with classic colors
Full Story
Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: Ranch Home Opens Up to Indoor-Outdoor Living
A home and landscape makeover near Denver creates harmony and connection between interior and exterior spaces
Full Story
Kitchen Makeovers
Kitchen of the Week: Bold Black Style With Nods to ‘Star Wars’
A designer helps a young couple create an open kitchen with a large island and a dramatic look with fun sci-fi roots
Full Story
Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week: Warm Spa Feel With Aging-in-Place Features
A designer helps an empty-nest couple create a space with a curbless shower, an inviting style and room to maneuver
Full Story
Outbuildings
Family Gatherings in Argentina Inspire a Pavilion and Guesthouse
By Becky Harris
A new yard adds room for hosting, swimming and bringing part of one homeowner’s culture to her family’s Seattle home
Full Story
Kitchen Makeovers
Before and After: 3 Refreshing Green Kitchens
By Elena Vega
Rich green cabinets banish the banal in these redesigned cooking spaces
Full Story
Bathroom Makeovers
Bathroom of the Week: Fresh, Bright Look With More Breathing Room
An airy layout with a curbless shower and light finishes helps open and brighten a once-dark primary bathroom
Full Story
Landscape Design
Patio of the Week: Sloping Side Yard Becomes a Relaxing Retreat
By Kate Burt
A landscape designer found on Houzz transforms a challenging English yard into a contemporary lounge for empty nesters
Full Story
Love #1!!!
Love the third one. Anthony Constantinou agree “It was kind of a hybrid — half major remodel and half new home,”
The before picture for #3 really doesn't show the house, it just shows the fence and garage. Love the after picture, though. Love #5. Liked #1 better as a one-story, but I guess they needed the space. The barn is gorgeous.