8 L Shaped House Design Ideas and Examples
By: Hannah Warne
From beautifully framing your front yard to adding balance within the home’s interior wings, an L-shaped house has many benefits. Originally a variation of the typical ranch-style house, the L-shaped alternative gained popularity thanks to its flexibility and functionality.
Whether you are considering building or moving into an L-shaped house or are looking to refresh your existing L-shaped home, explore our favorite design ideas and see real examples that will help you reimagine your exterior.
At brick&batten, our team of experienced designers can help bring your exterior vision to life. They will help you visualize your color palette, finishes, and other design details to make your L-shaped house feel brand new. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
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#1 // Mixed siding styles
This L-shaped ranch home strategically uses two different types of siding to add height and visual interest to the exterior. On the lower portion, natural stone siding adds an organic element and beautifully offsets the bluestone walkway and gravel landscaping.
On the upper portion of the exterior, wide-plank horizontal siding is finished in Sage Mountain by Benjamin Moore, a beautiful taupe shade with green undertones. In direct light, this shade appears like more of a true taupe. In indirect light, however, it skews sage green. Pairing these two distinctly different siding styles together not only makes the house feel more unique but also makes it feel effortless and elegant.
#2 // All-black accents
Nothing pulls an exterior together quite like cohesive design details — and nothing looks quite as modern as all-black accents. Black shutters, a black front door, black window frames, and a black garage door all work together to create this home’s bold look. Even smaller details, like the house numbers, planters, and sconces, are all finished in black for maximum consistency.
Especially when paired with the brick painted in Olympic Mountains by Benjamin Moore, these black details truly pop to make this L-shaped house feel eternally modern.
#3 // Coastal color palette
For a serene, seaside-inspired exterior, look no further than this palette. This timeless combination is perfect for L-shaped houses where much of the home’s exterior details are in view at once.
A milky shade like Etiquette by Benjamin Moore is perfect for the primary hue. This soft beige color has slight yellow undertones, making it ultra warm and welcoming. Benjamin Moore’s Sea Haze — inspired by the color of sea glass — is a soft gray with green undertones, making it the ideal pair for the creamy tones of Etiquette. Use it for accents, like shutters, or on other exterior details for a quiet luxury aesthetic.
To ground the exterior and add some depth, don’t forget to add a darker hue like in the example above. Wooden front and garage doors and copper awnings and gutters add warmth and make the exterior feel traditional — without feeling stuffy.
#4 // White brick & wood siding
Horizontal wood siding and off-white white brick help elongate this L-shaped house and emphasize its distinct design. Brick painted in Seapearl by Benjamin Moore is the perfect foundation for this neutral exterior. This off-white shade with gray undertones is one of our long-time favorites thanks to its understated warmth that doesn’t read too yellow.
To elegantly contrast with Seapearl, wooden siding, wooden garage doors, and wooden fencing infuse the exterior with richness. Stone siding around the base of the home adds texture and incorporates an organic element to complete this stylish exterior.
#5 // Front door as the focal point
An L-shaped house is the ideal opportunity to add a statement-making front door to your exterior. In the example above, the garage and landscaping draw the eye right to the front door, where an unexpected hue awaits along with ornate wrought iron details.
The decorative door, finished in Wasabi by Benjamin Moore, stands out beautifully against the brick finished in Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore and the black metal roof. The vivid, yellow-green shade is an unexpected option for home exteriors thanks to its bold, saturated look. To make the door even more distinct, it features beautiful metalwork on each side, framing the door itself. This not only contrasts with the bright paint hue but also adds a luxe and intricate design to the otherwise minimal exterior.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
#6 // Gray brick with black accents
While siding or painted brick are common options for L-shaped homes, there are other approaches, too. Gray brick adds texture and dimension to this home’s exterior, creating a multidimensional base with a lot of depth.
To offset this siding style, we recommend a classic, neutral color palette. Bruton White by Benjamin Moore is a light and airy accent shade that adds a touch of brightness. Despite its name, this color is a soft gray hue with slight green undertones. Onyx by Benjamin Moore is the perfect dark counterpoint to add a bit of drama. When paired together — and mixed with wooden accents — these shades blend beautifully with the brick.
#7 // Statement-making porch & portico
Draw the eye immediately to the front door of your L-shaped house with a unique portico. In this example, the portico has bold columns and geometric details that beautifully frame the home’s decorative double front doors. The spacious front porch also has a cable railing, a black metal awning, and is finished with stone siding to set it apart from the rest of the exterior. Decorative details like a porch swing, outdoor furniture, and potted plants tie everything together.
To complement the front porch design, the exterior has an earthy color palette. Deep Creek by Benjamin Moore is the primary shade, a green-gray hue that looks beautiful on all architectural styles. Seapearl by Benjamin Moore is used as the accent color for a dynamic and dimensional exterior that perfectly complements the home’s natural surroundings.
#8 // Strategic placement of design details
Because of its unique shape, an L-shaped house offers the opportunity to add extra design elements. While in this example, we kept the front entry and garage door simple with classic vertical siding in Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore, we took the opportunity to incorporate a few extra design details on the facade closest to the street.
A small section of wood siding above the window helps tie the exterior together. This addition creates a cohesive feel with the wooden front door, garage door, and fencing. A wood and metal awing over the window also adds extra dimension. It pairs perfectly with the black metal house numbers and complements the trim, fascia, and soffits finished in Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore.
Achieve the L-shaped house of your dreams
Inspired by these L-shaped houses? From finding new favorite paint colors to discovering new design details, seeing similar homes can be the perfect way to help you find the inspiration you’ve been missing for your own exterior overhaul. If you’re ready to take the next step and redo your own exterior, the brick&batten team can help.
Whether you want a minor refresh or are ready for a major transformation, the brick&batten team can help you transform your L-shaped house or business. Work with us to make your dream home a reality. Start your project today!
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