Trends

Mix it up: Home exteriors

Homeowners are now opting for mixing multiple materials to create interest, dimension and personality to their homes.

exterior view of modern home with wood exterior

Today’s modern homes are shifting how we think about the exterior façade of houses. The days of a single exterior material in a solid color—whether it be siding, brick or stucco—are gone. And they’ve been replaced with a whole new meaning of curb appeal that favors mixing multiple materials to create stylish layered and textured designs.

Homeowners are now opting for mixing multiple materials to create interest, dimension and personality to their homes. They’re mixing vertical board and batten with horizontal siding styles. Adding color and texture with natural stone, stucco, window exteriors and metal accents. They’re incorporating natural wood elements, reimagining shiplap and shaker siding and so much more. And using horizontal and vertical lines to create depth and texture.

One-Tone

Using mixed materials doesn’t always need to be bold and dramatic though. Mixing materials and textures within the same color tone provides a subtle, even elevated look. The richness and dimension of texture shines through to create a layered tone-on-tone look.

white two story house with red door and black framed Andersen windows

@CMMCustomHomes

Traditional

This trend isn’t reserved for just modern and contemporary homes. Traditional home styles can mix it up by incorporating stone and other textured materials to create dimension and texture. Material selections and colors can be classic and subtle, but the combination of materials gives things a modern twist.

rambler with mixed materials for exterior

red brick home with black framed Andersen windows

@BrentWoodBuilders

traditional house with natural wood shake accents and mixed materials exterior

brick home with black siding accents with black framed Andersen windows

@GoodmanCarpentry

Roofs

Even the choice of roofing materials and colors play a key role in the overall design. Metal roofs with dramatic, vertical lines create a very different look than a traditional shingle style, regardless of color. Both add color and texture, but in different ways.

Tudor style home with black framed Andersen windows

Wood

Wood elements, either natural or stained, continue to be a popular way to add character and dimension to a home’s exterior. The organic, pure beauty of wood adds a warmth and uniqueness that’s hard to find in other materials. Wood often acts as an anchor of sorts, helping to pull the exterior design together, while providing a grounded, welcoming feel.

@FreemanCustomHomes

modern home with black framed Andersen windows

Walls of Glass

Windows and doors also play an important role in pulling together the full mixed materials look. Some homes blend the windows and doors in with the exterior façade, while others are designed to make the windows and doors stand out. Even the size and amount of glass in windows and doors help refine the overall look of a home. Walls of glass provide an airiness and scale that can’t be easily reproduced with other building materials.

close up of corner of modern home with wood siding and black framed Andersen windows

Colors

Today’s homes aren’t limited to a single window and door color. Some homes are adding accent windows with pops of color, choosing multiple colors to either complement or contrast the exterior material they are set against.

house with mixed materials exterior and blue accents

Whatever your home style, you can add interest and personality by mixing it up on the exterior⁠—whether you start small with a single element or go all out with a full makeover. Either way, we think you’ll love it!

Modern black windows Color of the year: Urbane Bronze