8 Home Exterior Trends That Go Beyond a Fresh Coat of Paint

Shiny Door Statements

Bold front doors with statement hardware are making more of an appearance lately. "Recently, my clients have been requesting a glossy front door with bold brass hardware," says Nadia Palacios, architect and founder of Nadia Palacios Residential Design.

. This look is akin to putting jewelry on your front door—it's classic, polished, and sophisticated. Try a glossy, dark, almost black-green color with a shiny brass, vintage-inspired knocker and door knob for a showstopping look that’s both modern and traditional.

Natural Textures

Painted brick and smooth stucco have been the look du jour for a long time now. But Palacios says that this is the year we’ll see warm, natural textures and color shine through, particularly through the use of organic materials like stone, wood, and clay brick. "My office has seen a growing return to color and texture in pursuit of creating inviting, lively home exteriors. Clients are asking more for red brick and textured stone," she says.

Elevated Outdoor Living

Outdoor entertainment space became a non-negotiable in recent years, and now, homeowners are placing even more emphasis on creating a true outdoor living and entertaining area rather than just a place to sit. This could mean everything from elaborate gardens to a pizza oven, and it truly turns the outdoors into an additional living area. "Most projects now include significant outdoor oasis space with not just a pool, but at-home spas, larger exercise rooms, and full outdoor kitchens," Seth Ballard, AIA, principal of Ballard + Mensua Architecture.

Cold Plunge Pools

Cold plunge pools are an increasingly hot feature. "We’re starting to see the installation of cold plunges," says Erin Stetzer, principal and founder of Erin Stetzer Homes. In the last few years, "wellness at home has become increasingly popular and is now being integrated into residential spaces for daily use," she says. Cold plunge pools are being created as distinct spaces from a traditional pool, she says, speaking to the private, personalized, luxurious sanctuaries that people want to create in their own homes.

Addition of Color

The white, modern farmhouse with black trim has been ubiquitous in recent years, but some homeowners are ready to move beyond this minimalist color palette. "Like all trends that get overdone, the black windows on white have our clients asking for more color," says Ballard.

Ballard says that some clients are adding a pop of complementary colored cladding on windows, while Nadia Palacios has clients asking for a bolder look with colored siding. Adding a little color is a fun way to refresh the exterior without having to paint the whole house.

Exterior Smart Technology

Many homeowners have already adopted interior smart home technology in their HVAC systems, indoor lights, and even front door locks. Now, more people are realizing that the same technology can make outdoor living easier. Things like outdoor lighting and sprinkler systems can all hook up to smart home technology and are an increasingly popular way to help people manage their homes, both inside and out.

Sleek Modernism

While color and texture are in for some homeowners, others are moving further into a stark, sleek look. "I am seeing more of a lean towards modernism," says Ballard. "We have a lot of work at a ski resort, and everyone wants the modern wood, stone, glass, and steel look with large overhangs and lower slopes."

Steel Windows

Related to modernism, Ballard notes that he has more clients asking about steel windows, which have a minimal, industrial look. They work nicely in both contemporary designs as well as classic spaces.