The 16 Most Popular Exterior Photos on Houzz This Year
Readers saved a wide range of home styles to their Houzz ideabooks in 2017. Which idea will you borrow?
Becky Harris
December 15, 2017
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
As trends come and go, one thing remains the same: Houzz users are drawn to a wide range of architectural styles. But a look through the most popular exterior photos added to the site in 2017 does show a common thread: Each has a thoughtful design that responds to its surroundings, whether it’s a spot between a forested hill and a meadow, a narrow lot near the beach, above an area that may flood, or in view of the Pacific’s powerful waves. More important, each has many fans who saw something in it they love.
In reverse order, here are the top 16 new exterior photos that saw the most saves to user ideabooks on Houzz in 2017. Which one is closest to your dream home’s architecture?
16. A Stylish Response to Extreme Weather
The destruction caused by the major weather events over the past decade is making an impact on home design. Housing in many areas needs to be more resilient in the face of fire, earthquakes, hurricanes or flooding. In some flood-prone areas, it can be hard to insure livable spaces at the ground level.
This South Carolina house design handled this potentially awkward requirement with such aplomb it made the top 20 most popular photos of the year, likely based on looks alone. The front porch, dormer windows, cedar shingles, double-sided staircase and railings are a recipe for inviting Southern charm.
See more of this house
16. A Stylish Response to Extreme Weather
The destruction caused by the major weather events over the past decade is making an impact on home design. Housing in many areas needs to be more resilient in the face of fire, earthquakes, hurricanes or flooding. In some flood-prone areas, it can be hard to insure livable spaces at the ground level.
This South Carolina house design handled this potentially awkward requirement with such aplomb it made the top 20 most popular photos of the year, likely based on looks alone. The front porch, dormer windows, cedar shingles, double-sided staircase and railings are a recipe for inviting Southern charm.
See more of this house
15. The Magic of Threes
This house is also in the Low Country but did not need to be popped up quite so high as the previous one. The appeal of its Low Country style is easy to appreciate. The proportions of the porch and its grand staircase mitigate the height from the ground up to the main level. As for style, good things come in threes here — three beautiful sets of mahogany French doors, three lovely lanterns and three dormers for windows.
See more of this house
This house is also in the Low Country but did not need to be popped up quite so high as the previous one. The appeal of its Low Country style is easy to appreciate. The proportions of the porch and its grand staircase mitigate the height from the ground up to the main level. As for style, good things come in threes here — three beautiful sets of mahogany French doors, three lovely lanterns and three dormers for windows.
See more of this house
14. Ready for Fun
This home in Dewey Beach, Delaware, not only had to boost up a story but also had to conform to a narrow lot.
Beautiful large windows, and details like the overhang and the window box and balcony, respond to the town’s walkable, social atmosphere.
Learn more about this house
This home in Dewey Beach, Delaware, not only had to boost up a story but also had to conform to a narrow lot.
Beautiful large windows, and details like the overhang and the window box and balcony, respond to the town’s walkable, social atmosphere.
Learn more about this house
13. Movable Charm
Once something has been mocked on Portlandia, you know it has cultural relevance. And so it is with tiny homes of about 150 to 400 square feet, often on wheels for mobility when desired. This tiny house’s appealing Craftsman style made it the most popular one on Houzz this year.
The metal roof, Western cedar siding, tiny gabled front porch, deck and outdoor shower all add to its charm.
See more of this tiny house
Once something has been mocked on Portlandia, you know it has cultural relevance. And so it is with tiny homes of about 150 to 400 square feet, often on wheels for mobility when desired. This tiny house’s appealing Craftsman style made it the most popular one on Houzz this year.
The metal roof, Western cedar siding, tiny gabled front porch, deck and outdoor shower all add to its charm.
See more of this tiny house
12. Classic Modernism
This home in the Noosa Heads beach area of Queensland, Australia, has classic International Style with its flat roof, floor-to-ceiling glass facade and straight lines. The architecture is a wonderful contrast to the lush tropical plantings surrounding it.
See more of this house | Roots of Style: International Style Celebrates Pure Form
This home in the Noosa Heads beach area of Queensland, Australia, has classic International Style with its flat roof, floor-to-ceiling glass facade and straight lines. The architecture is a wonderful contrast to the lush tropical plantings surrounding it.
See more of this house | Roots of Style: International Style Celebrates Pure Form
11. Houses Unlike Any Other
The organic architecture of the Wave House had many people surfing through all its photos. Swooping curves mark the iconic house, designed by architect Michael Carmichael in the 1970s. A recent Houzz Tour explores the recent renovation of the home by a new owner, who embraced its beautiful roots while giving it an update.
Read more about this ultra-curvy house
The organic architecture of the Wave House had many people surfing through all its photos. Swooping curves mark the iconic house, designed by architect Michael Carmichael in the 1970s. A recent Houzz Tour explores the recent renovation of the home by a new owner, who embraced its beautiful roots while giving it an update.
Read more about this ultra-curvy house
10. Warm Contemporary
A handful of contemporary homes made a strong showing on the Most Popular list. While there was once a common misconception that contemporary equaled cold and sterile, or wacky and “Beetlejuice-y,” contemporary fans know that could not be further from the truth. Note the way the large windows, balcony and patio blur the lines between indoors and out. Different parts of the facade are articulated in a range of materials, giving the house loads of personality.
See more of this house | Modern or Contemporary: What’s the Difference?
A handful of contemporary homes made a strong showing on the Most Popular list. While there was once a common misconception that contemporary equaled cold and sterile, or wacky and “Beetlejuice-y,” contemporary fans know that could not be further from the truth. Note the way the large windows, balcony and patio blur the lines between indoors and out. Different parts of the facade are articulated in a range of materials, giving the house loads of personality.
See more of this house | Modern or Contemporary: What’s the Difference?
9. Outdoor Cinema
This grand house in India follows similar principles. But I suspect the movie projecting across the pool onto the wall may have been a major factor in all of those “Add to Ideabook” clicks from Houzz users. That is one super-cool idea.
See more of this house | How to Create and Use Ideabooks
This grand house in India follows similar principles. But I suspect the movie projecting across the pool onto the wall may have been a major factor in all of those “Add to Ideabook” clicks from Houzz users. That is one super-cool idea.
See more of this house | How to Create and Use Ideabooks
8. Geometry in the Landscape
This contemporary home shows what a big difference the right garage doors can make, especially when those doors face the street, as they often do. Here they resemble Japanese shoji screens and play off other windows and proportions on the facade and landscaping.
See more of this house | How to Replace or Revamp Your Garage Doors
This contemporary home shows what a big difference the right garage doors can make, especially when those doors face the street, as they often do. Here they resemble Japanese shoji screens and play off other windows and proportions on the facade and landscaping.
See more of this house | How to Replace or Revamp Your Garage Doors
7. Wooded Setting
Nestled in between a meadow and hillside, the beautiful wood on this contemporary home in South Carolina plays nicely off the hardwoods of the forest behind it. Expansive windows reflect the surroundings.
See more of this house
Nestled in between a meadow and hillside, the beautiful wood on this contemporary home in South Carolina plays nicely off the hardwoods of the forest behind it. Expansive windows reflect the surroundings.
See more of this house
6. Craftsman Cottage
It seems Houzzers were very glad that this Austin, Texas, neighborhood had strict historic preservation requirements. Because of them, the front of this 1925 Craftsman-style cottage was preserved during a major renovation and addition. Painting it black with white trim and a cheery red door gave it an update, as did a cohesive terrace, planters and sidewalk. Be sure to check out the article in the link below to see the clever way they added on in back without harming a single one of the large live oaks on site.
Read more about this home | When to Paint Your Door Bright Red
It seems Houzzers were very glad that this Austin, Texas, neighborhood had strict historic preservation requirements. Because of them, the front of this 1925 Craftsman-style cottage was preserved during a major renovation and addition. Painting it black with white trim and a cheery red door gave it an update, as did a cohesive terrace, planters and sidewalk. Be sure to check out the article in the link below to see the clever way they added on in back without harming a single one of the large live oaks on site.
Read more about this home | When to Paint Your Door Bright Red
5. Farmhouse Style for Today
Photos from this dreamy new farmhouse-style house are popping up in many of the most popular categories on Houzz. The designer employed moves from Sarah Susanka’s philosophy of the Not-So-Big House — a house that’s not small, but not big for the sake of being big — and gave the interiors loads of fresh modern-farmhouse style.
Read more about this home
Photos from this dreamy new farmhouse-style house are popping up in many of the most popular categories on Houzz. The designer employed moves from Sarah Susanka’s philosophy of the Not-So-Big House — a house that’s not small, but not big for the sake of being big — and gave the interiors loads of fresh modern-farmhouse style.
Read more about this home
4. Reminders of Another Time
In fact, the top five most popular new photos of exteriors were all of modern farmhouses this year. This particular house reminds me of my favorite Houzz story of all time — So Your Style Is American Gothic — because of its front porch and tower-ish volume topped with a pediment. In that story, writer Mary Jo Bowling gave an eloquent answer to the question of why farmhouse style is so popular these days:
“There’s a reason so many children’s books deal with farm life or are set on a farm. Farms remind us of a less-complicated time when life was easier, at least in our collective imagination. There’s also an industrial spirit to yesteryear’s farm structures that makes them almost modern.”
See more of this house
In fact, the top five most popular new photos of exteriors were all of modern farmhouses this year. This particular house reminds me of my favorite Houzz story of all time — So Your Style Is American Gothic — because of its front porch and tower-ish volume topped with a pediment. In that story, writer Mary Jo Bowling gave an eloquent answer to the question of why farmhouse style is so popular these days:
“There’s a reason so many children’s books deal with farm life or are set on a farm. Farms remind us of a less-complicated time when life was easier, at least in our collective imagination. There’s also an industrial spirit to yesteryear’s farm structures that makes them almost modern.”
See more of this house
3. Prairie-Inspired Landscape
Metal roofs, gables, board and batten siding and front porches are elements commonly seen in today’s modern farmhouse style.
Here, the X pattern on the fences and beautiful stone wall detail around the porch enhance the look. But my favorite part is the prairie-inspired landscaping across the driveway, where they planted wheat-like grasses and wildflowers instead of turf.
See more of this house
Metal roofs, gables, board and batten siding and front porches are elements commonly seen in today’s modern farmhouse style.
Here, the X pattern on the fences and beautiful stone wall detail around the porch enhance the look. But my favorite part is the prairie-inspired landscaping across the driveway, where they planted wheat-like grasses and wildflowers instead of turf.
See more of this house
2. Warm Wood, Crisp White
Modern farmhouse style often incorporates other styles. This one has a few Craftsman details as well, like the open sleeping porch on the third floor and the deep overhang above the front door. This home also incorporates the modern farmhouse move of mixing natural wood with crisp white siding. This is often repeated on the inside of a modern farmhouse, where elements like reclaimed wood mantels, ceiling beams and countertops provide warm contrast to crisp white walls.
See more of this house | 15 Modern-Rustic Farmhouses Celebrate Simple Pleasures
Modern farmhouse style often incorporates other styles. This one has a few Craftsman details as well, like the open sleeping porch on the third floor and the deep overhang above the front door. This home also incorporates the modern farmhouse move of mixing natural wood with crisp white siding. This is often repeated on the inside of a modern farmhouse, where elements like reclaimed wood mantels, ceiling beams and countertops provide warm contrast to crisp white walls.
See more of this house | 15 Modern-Rustic Farmhouses Celebrate Simple Pleasures
1. Welcome Home
This was the most popular exterior shot on Houzz in 2017. With its welcoming front porch, traditional lanterns, barn-style garage doors and inviting front sidewalk, it’s easy to see why it’s a house so many of us want to visit and maybe even move right into.
See more of this house
Tell us: Which of of these exteriors is closest to your favorite style? Please tell us in the Comments, and let us know if you’ve incorporated any of its details into your own dream house plans.
More
Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?
Find architects and building designers in your area
This was the most popular exterior shot on Houzz in 2017. With its welcoming front porch, traditional lanterns, barn-style garage doors and inviting front sidewalk, it’s easy to see why it’s a house so many of us want to visit and maybe even move right into.
See more of this house
Tell us: Which of of these exteriors is closest to your favorite style? Please tell us in the Comments, and let us know if you’ve incorporated any of its details into your own dream house plans.
More
Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?
Find architects and building designers in your area
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LampsUSA you can click on each photo and then look to the right to "See the rest of this project" and find out!
White, metal roof, large windows, and proportional looks have helped with my exterior look.
To help with the high cost- we found white to be more affordable than other colors due to its reflective quality which helps with heat absorption and we put the metal roof as an accent item over the front door. Inasmuch as we would have loved to incorporate more wood to the exterior we found the cost and maintenance to be out of our budget.
I had some good ones this year as well. These were my most popular