Different House Styles That Look Good Together
By: Cassie McDowell
From Cape Cod and craftsman to Victorian and Mediterranean, the list of different house styles is seemingly endless. But not every home falls perfectly under one category. Sometimes, a home is a mix of several different styles. Other times, the home’s owners each have a different preferred style they want highlighted. In fact, we’re seeing an increase in requests from clients who want help incorporating multiple different house styles into their exterior design.
While fairly common, combining different house styles can be tricky to execute. Putting together various elements from opposing styles in a way that looks cohesive and aesthetically pleasing can be challenging. But don’t let this hold you back — we’re here to help. In this post, we highlight some of our favorite design styles that look good together and share tips for incorporating them into your home exterior. Keep reading to discover some different house styles that complement each other, and see how we highlight them in our designs.
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How to determine the style of a house?
Some house styles are pretty easy to identify, such as Victorians, A-frames, and Tudors. Each of these styles has defining characteristics that set them apart from other home types. For Victorians, think vibrant colors, intricate details, and wrap around porches. A-frames have a triangular shape reminiscent of the letter ‘a,’ and Tudors are known for their steeply pitched roofs and decorative half-timbering.
Other styles are less distinctive and more difficult to determine. This is especially true if a home is a combination of more than one style. For a run down of all the different house styles out there, check out this section of our blog. Then, continue reading this post to see our favorite house style combinations and learn why they work well together.
P.S. If you’re still not sure what your design style is, take our quick quiz to find out.
Traditional and modern
When it comes to design styles, traditional and modern are about as different as it gets. But this stark contrast is precisely why they work so well together. Super modern exteriors can often appear cold and lack character, but infusing them with some traditional accents can add warmth and charm.
The owner of the home above wanted a classic look with modern touches. They wanted to add some “pizazz” to their traditional Georgian-style home without modernizing it too much. We struck the perfect balance with a traditional color palette and modern accents, such as the black-framed glass double doors and windows. Even the light fixtures are the perfect blend of modern and vintage.
Rustic and modern
Like traditional and modern, rustic and modern design styles are polar opposites. But they can also be quite the dynamic design duo. Rustic designs are known for their natural color schemes and furnishings, gritty textures, and warm and cozy vibes. Modern homes, on the other hand, tend to feature cool color palettes, synthetic materials, stark furnishings, and clean lines. By combining the two, you can achieve an exterior that’s both welcoming and sophisticated.
The owners of the home above enlisted our help to blend both of their preferred styles into one cohesive design. The wife wanted a rustic look, while the husband desired something modern. In the end, they both got what they wanted. The earthy siding color and wood accents play into the rustic aesthetic, while the porch columns, cable railing, and black metal roof provide a modern touch.
Coastal and farmhouse
Coastal and farmhouse design are both heavily influenced by nature, and many of the hallmarks of these styles are shared. Think cool color palettes and lots of wood and other natural elements. Because of these similarities, the styles are relatively easy to mesh together.
The owner of the home above specifically requested we update her exterior with a coastal farmhouse style in mind. We recommended an off-white color for the siding, a metal roof for the porch, and wood columns for support and texture. Faux copper gutters and a wood front door add even more warmth.
If you want to see what this coastal farmhouse looked like before and discover how the owner brought our design to life, check out this Client Story feature.
Farmhouse and modern
Farmhouses have been around for centuries, and in recent years, they’ve been getting a modern update. Modern farmhouse designs often feature white or off-white siding and high-contrast black trim and accents. Vertical siding is a hallmark of this design style, as are large front porches. Wood is frequently used in modern farmhouse designs, often for the doors, porch columns, and other accents.
The design above features all the characteristics mentioned and is the perfect example of a modern farmhouse.
Japanese and Scandinavian
The combination of Japanese and Scandinavian style — also referred to as Japandi style — entered the mainstream in 2023. It beautifully blends Japanese design’s rustic minimalism with the functionality of Scandinavian style. Simplicity, clean lines, natural elements, and light colors are all key features of Japandi design.
The rendering above features plenty of wood and stone accents, plus tons of landscaping that adds to the nature-inspired vibe of this property.
Organic and modern
Organic modern is another design style that’s taken off in recent years. In fact, it’s become so popular that we even included it in our roundup of the top home exterior trends of 2024.
We like to describe organic modern style as “modern design with a cozy twist” because it takes modern design and infuses it with warmth and comfort. Natural elements, such as wood and stone, and organic materials are key features of this design style, and soft neutral color palettes and a variety of textures are also common.
Transitional and mid-century modern
If you’ve ever watched Netflix’s “Dream Home Makeover,” you’re probably pretty familiar with transitional home design. The show’s star, Shea McGee, infuses all her designs with this style. Transitional design perfectly blends the old with the new, combines straight lines and organic curves, and relies heavily on calming neutrals. Mid-century modern, on the other hand, is a style defined by angular structures and a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Mid-century modern homes often have a low, wide footprint, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a brightly colored front door.
The owner of the home above listed their style as “mid-century modern, transitional modern,” so we gave them a little bit of each style in our design.
The bottom line on exterior designing with different house styles
You don’t have to settle for just one house style. You can easily mix and match elements from different house styles to achieve the exterior of your dreams. From modern mountain to bungalow-style ranch, the possibilities are endless.
Whether you have a strong preference for one particular design style or are considering a combination of several, we can help you bring your vision to life. Even if you’re unhappy with your exterior but have no idea what updates you want to make, we can guide you in the right direction and use our expertise to design a wow-worthy new look for your home. Begin your exterior design project today.
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