9 Exterior Home Design Ideas

Creating curb appeal for your home offers an exciting opportunity to bring your personal style to life. Beyond choosing a great engineered wood lap siding like LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding, there are many accessories and products that can help you add flair to your home's exterior. We asked Erik Perkins of the Perkins Builder Brothers for his insights and ideas for making your home's exterior stand out.

Is External Home Design Important?

When it comes to house siding options and cost homeowners have many factors to consider, but one of the most important is the home's curb appeal. The home's façade is a way to express your personal style, and it's a lasting investment in one of your most valuable assets. But budget can feel limiting.

"A lot of homeowners want to have curb appeal, but they sometimes aren't sure how to do it effectively without high costs," Perkins says. "It's important to narrow lots of ideas down to a plan for your budget."

That's why having plenty of exterior home design ideas is key. More inspiration can give you plenty of opportunities to explore what your home can look like within your budget. You can also browse particular products, such as LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, to discover your design options from one of the most durable siding brands available.

Exterior House Color Design Ideas

Mixing colors is always an option for homeowners. “Stylistically speaking, I always tell clients that if you're planning on multiple colors, place darker colors at the bottom of the home to ground it,” Perkins says. “The heaviest color should go at the bottom.”

Check out these exterior house paint design ideas from the LP SmartSide ExpertFinish^® color collection. Which colors would you combine on your home's façade?

Mixing Siding Types on Exterior Home Designs

Breaking up vertical surfaces is also a common way to bring unique home design to an outside look. "You can visually disguise the height of a building by breaking it up to give it a different look," Perkins adds. "For example, many homeowners choose to install lap siding at the bottom of the home, then include vertical board and batten and shakes on other parts of the home."

These mixed siding examples will give you plenty of home front design ideas that add interest and appeal.

Using LP SmartSide Strand Shakes for Unique Home Exterior Ideas

LP SmartSide shakes offer a great option for boosting curb appeal. Packed with all the same benefits as LP SmartSide lap siding, LP SmartSide shakes remain a top siding choice for the best siding for hot climates as well as humid and cold climates. You don't have to sacrifice design for durability. “LP SmartSide shakes are pre-primed and hold paint well,” Perkins mentions. LP SmartSide shakes are also available in 16 ExpertFinish^® colors, which means they can help you get almost any look you want for your home. Here are a few examples.

Advice for Homeowners Starting the Siding Installation Process

In the steps to siding a house, Perkins recommends taking advantage of the initial build to make decisions if possible. “Some things you can replace and renew later; however, the process of switching large portions of siding isn't an easy change,” he says. Figuring out the external home design you want early on will benefit you in the long run. Durable siding is a good investment up front and offers you the opportunity to enjoy your home's appearance for a long time.

Ready to put some of these exterior house design ideas into practice on your own home? Request a quote and connect with an LP^® BuildSmart^™ Preferred Contractor here. If you need more inspiration, don't miss our gallery.