When it comes to residential house design, there are many different styles to choose from. Each style has its own unique elements, color palette, materials, outdoor furniture, landscaping, lighting, driveways, fixtures, and other assorted elements that make it stand out. From the traditional design, colonial, Victorian, craftsman, Mediterranean, Cape Code, Tudor, contemporary, ranch, and Spanish revival, each offers a unique look and feel that can be tailored to match the homeowner’s style and preferences.
Traditional exterior design elements include symmetrical lines, classic architectural details such as columns, shutters, and dentil molding, and gabled or peaked roofs. The color palette for traditional homes often includes neutral shades such as white, beige, or gray, with pops of color on the front door or shutters. Common materials for traditional homes include brick, stone, and wood. Outdoor furniture often includes rocking chairs or a front porch seating area with a traditional design. Landscaping for traditional homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include lantern-style sconces or hanging light fixtures, and driveways are often made of brick or cobblestone. Other traditional exterior design elements may include a front porch with a railing or balustrade, a symmetrical front walkway, and a central front door with a decorative transom or sidelights.
Colonial
Colonial exterior design elements include a central front door with symmetrical windows on either side, a simple, boxy shape, and a gabled roof. The color palette for colonial homes often includes neutral shades such as white, beige,
Colonial exterior design elements include a central front door with symmetrical windows on either side, a simple, boxy shape, and a gabled roof. The color palette for colonial homes often includes neutral shades such as white, beige, or gray, with pops of color on the front door or shutters. Common materials for colonial homes include wood, brick, and stone. Outdoor furniture often includes rocking chairs or a front porch seating area with a traditional design. Landscaping for colonial homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include lantern-style sconces or hanging light fixtures, and driveways are often made of brick or cobblestone. Other colonial exterior design elements may include shutters, a front porch with a railing or balustrade, and a symmetrical front walkway.
Victorian
Victorian exterior design elements include ornate details such as turrets, gingerbread trim, and a variety of colors. It often incorporates steeply pitched roofs and bay windows. The color palette for Victorian homes often includes vibrant and bold colors, such as deep reds, blues and greens, with contrasting trim colors. Common materials for Victorian homes include wood, shingles and ornate details made of decorative metals. Outdoor furniture often includes ornate cast-iron or wicker, and large porch area. Landscaping for Victorian homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include ornate hanging light fixtures, wall sconces, and gas lamps. Driveways are often made of cobblestone or bricks, and have a curved shape to match the home’s architecture. Other Victorian exterior design elements may include intricate gingerbread trim, ornate brackets, and spindles, stained glass windows, and a central front door with a decorative transom or sidelights.
Craftsman
Craftsman exterior design elements include natural materials, such as wood and stone, and simple, clean lines. It often incorporates a front porch with tapered square columns and exposed rafters, and a low pitched gabled or hipped roof. The color palette for Craftsman homes often includes earthy and natural tones, such as browns, greens, and grays. Common materials for Craftsman homes include wood, stone, and brick. Outdoor furniture often includes natural wood or wicker, and a front porch seating area with a simple design. Landscaping for Craftsman homes often includes natural plants, rock gardens and outdoor features like water fountains. Lighting fixtures may include simple hanging lights, or sconces with a simple design. Driveways are often made of natural materials like gravel, or pavers and have a simple design. Other Craftsman exterior design elements may include a large front porch, overhanging eaves, and exposed rafter tails, and a central front door with a simple design.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean exterior design elements include stucco walls, red tile roofs, and arched openings. It often incorporates courtyards and patios, and ornate details like wrought iron balconies, window grilles and terracotta roof ornaments. The color palette for Mediterranean homes often includes warm and earthy tones, such as terra cotta, ochre, and deep oranges. Common materials for Mediterranean homes include stucco, terracotta tiles, and wrought iron. Outdoor furniture often includes wrought iron or wood seating area, and a central fountain or water feature. Landscaping for Mediterranean homes often includes lush greenery, and Mediterranean native plants such as Olive trees, Cypress trees and Bougainvillea. Lighting fixtures may include ornate hanging light fixtures, or wall sconces with a Mediterranean design. Driveways are often made of pavers or cobblestone and have a curved shape to match the home’s architecture. Other Mediterranean exterior design elements may include arched doorways and windows, ornate tile work and mosaics, and a central courtyard or patio.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod exterior design elements include a central front door with symmetrical windows on either side, a simple, boxy shape, and a gabled roof. It often incorporates shingles, clapboard siding, and shutters. The color palette for Cape Cod homes often includes neutral shades such as white, beige, or gray, with pops of color on the front door or shutters. Common materials for Cape Cod homes include wood and shingles. Outdoor furniture often includes rocking chairs or a front porch seating area with a traditional design. Landscaping for Cape Cod homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include lantern-style sconces or hanging light fixtures, and driveways are often made of brick or cobblestone. Other Cape Cod exterior design elements may include a front porch with a railing or balustrade, a symmetrical front walkway, and a central front door with a decorative transom or sidelights.
Tudor
Tudor exterior design elements include steeply pitched roofs, tall chimneys, and half-timbering. It often incorporates leaded glass windows and arched doorways. The color palette for Tudor homes often includes earthy tones such as browns and greens, with contrasting trim colors. Common materials for Tudor homes include brick, stone, and half-timbering. Outdoor furniture often includes natural wood seating area, and a central garden or water feature. Landscaping for Tudor homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include lantern-style sconces or hanging light fixtures. Driveways are often made of cobblestone or bricks, and have a curved shape to match the home’s architecture. Other Tudor exterior design elements may include a central front door with a decorative transom or sidelights, ornate brackets, and spindles, and a steeply pitched roof with gables.
Contemporary
Contemporary exterior design elements include clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and an emphasis on function over form. It often incorporates large windows and a variety of materials such as glass, steel, and concrete. The color palette for contemporary homes often includes neutral shades such as white, black, or gray, with pops of color on the front door or other features. Common materials for contemporary homes include glass, steel, and concrete. Outdoor furniture often includes modern and minimalist designs, often made of materials such as aluminum or synthetic materials. Landscaping for contemporary homes often includes minimalistic approach, with simple lines and natural greenery. Lighting fixtures may include simple, sleek and modern designs. Driveways are often made of concrete or asphalt and have a simple design. Other contemporary exterior design elements may include flat or low-pitched roof, large windows, and a central front door with a simple design.
Ranch style
Ranch style exterior design elements include a single-story, low-pitched roof, and a simple, rectangular shape. It often incorporates an attached garage, and a sliding glass door leading to the backyard. The color palette for ranch homes often includes neutral shades such as white, beige, or gray, with pops of color on the front door or shutters. Common materials for ranch homes include wood and brick. Outdoor furniture often includes simple and functional designs, often made of materials such as aluminum or synthetic materials. Landscaping for ranch homes often includes well-manicured lawns, flower beds, and mature trees. Lighting fixtures may include simple and functional designs. Driveways are often made of concrete or asphalt and have a simple design. Other ranch style exterior design elements may include a central front door with a simple design, an attached garage, and sliding glass doors leading to the backyard.
Spanish revival
Spanish Revival exterior design elements include red tile roofs, stucco walls, and arched openings. It often incorporates courtyards and patios, and ornate details like wrought iron balconies, window grilles, and terracotta roof ornaments. The color palette for Spanish Revival homes often includes warm and earthy tones, such as terra cotta, ochre, and deep oranges. Common materials for Spanish Revival homes include stucco, terracotta tiles, and wrought iron. Outdoor furniture often includes wrought iron or wood seating area, and a central fountain or water feature. Landscaping for Spanish Revival homes often includes lush greenery, and Mediterranean native plants such as Olive trees, Cypress trees and Bougainvillea. Lighting fixtures may include ornate hanging light fixtures, or wall sconces with a Spanish Revival design. Driveways are often made of pavers or cobblestone and have a curved shape to match the home’s architecture. Other Spanish Revival exterior design elements may include arched doorways and windows, ornate tile work and mosaics, and a central courtyard or patio
In conclusion, the exterior design of a residential home is an important aspect of creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. By considering the different elements of each design style and how they can be incorporated into a home, homeowners can create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Whether you prefer the classic look of a traditional design, the elegant charm of a Victorian, the modern simplicity of contemporary, or the warm Mediterranean feel of a Spanish Revival, there is a style to suit every taste and budget.
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