10 Minimalist House Exterior Design Ideas
By: Mackenzie
In the exterior design realm, minimalism is on-trend and growing increasingly popular. This design philosophy, rooted in a “less is more” ethos, seeks to create spaces that are both visually striking and highly functional by stripping away excess ornamentation and focusing on essential elements. On a minimalist house, you will notice some key features that define its design style.
Minimalist exterior design aims to harmonize the house with its surroundings, often utilizing natural materials like wood or stone to blend the house into its environment. The style also emphasizes geometric shapes and patterns, incorporating clean lines and sharp angles to create a sense of order and balance. From every angle, our designers have plenty of ideas to achieve this simplistic style. Read on for some of our favorite ideas.
Not sure what design style best fits your goals? Take our style quiz to find out!
Whether you’re working toward transforming a minimalist house or you’re dealing with a different design style, we’ve got you covered. Our expert designers will work with you to understand your design style and goals. We will help you manifest the home you’ve been yearning for. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
#1 // Intuitive landscaping
The landscaping plays a crucial role in creating serene simplicity for this minimalist house. Rather than overwhelming the space with intricate plants and a busy layout, our designers stayed true to the minimalist approach and embraced native plants. Opting for these plants not only reduces maintenance but also enhances the natural beauty of the home rather than diverting attention from it like exotic plants might.
Our designers used geometric pavers to connect the walkway to the fire pit, tying the space together. Balancing the elements of this design, we added simple black planters, which complement the exterior. We also appreciate how the flat roofline and sleek windows cultivate a sense of uniformity.
#2 // Earthy & balanced
A minimalist house should be all-around uncomplicated and entirely balanced. For this design, we embraced the environment and earth tones. We used an olive green siding with wood accents, which blends beautifully with the surrounding landscaping. We added small black planters on each side of the double doors to subtly accentuate the entryway.
The recessed lighting on the upper level is a simple yet effective way to add infuse the aesthetic with warmth and ambiance. We also included a side table and chairs on the porch, providing space to enjoy the outdoors. While the accents we used are present, they aren’t prominent and don’t detract from the exterior, which is the ideal minimalistic approach.
#3 // Natural textures
For this minimalist house, we used natural materials to tap into a clean, organic aesthetic. We enhanced the entrance with cultured stone, which blends beautifully with the limewashed brick on the rest of the exterior. Our designers also added subtle wood elements, both on the ceiling above the entrance and the trim pieces above the windows.
To support the minimalist style, we kept the accents very simple, and we opted for iron doors for the entrance, which bring some sleekness to the natural textures at play on the exterior. Finally, the straight lines from the low-pitched roof ground the design (somewhat ironically, since we’re talking about an element that tops the house).
#4 // Geometric shapes
Geometric shapes are fundamental to minimalist design. Clean lines and sharp angles create a simple façade and evoke order and simplicity. Our designers leaned into geometric shapes for this minimalist house. The architecture is defined and clean with straight lines, a low-pitched roof, and rectangular shapes throughout.
Adding cohesion to the design, we subtly weaved more rectangles in with the windows on the exterior, front door, and garage door. From the rectangular windows to the crisp edges of the architecture, this design is both balanced and visually striking. We even used different textures and materials, bringing a natural contrast to the monochromatic exterior.
#5 // Asymmetric aesthetic
We see a good mix of symmetry and asymmetry when it comes to minimalist houses. Here, the architecture is asymmetrical, which adds a layer of complexity to the simple exterior. The mix of sharp angles and straight lines infuses the aesthetic with dynamism that draws the eye. The classic black and white color palette is ideal for this minimalist house, delivering a crisp and clean look with a just-right balance of contrast.
#6 // Clean lines and angles
Architecturally, a minimalist house should have a straightforward, uncomplicated appearance. We achieve this by mixing clean lines and angles. For the house, we used windows to play up the lines and angles, and we kept the palette neutral, staying true to the design style. We added in some simple light fixtures throughout the design, along with subtle landscaping elements.
#7 // Layered depth
Simple does not have to be one-note. For this minimalist house, we staggered the left, right, and center portions of the home, creating a layered look. We added more dimension to the design with walkway pavers and steps, along with uniform landscaping. The wood used on the underside of the roof complements the wood fence and front door, tying the design together neatly. We love how the wood elements bring warmth to the charcoal-colored siding in a seamless way.
Our designers also emphasized geometry for this design with the windows, garage door, and pavers.
#8 // Monochromatic palette
Monochromatic and minimalism go hand-in-hand. One of the best ways to ensure an exterior stays simple is to stick with a straightforward color scheme. On this minimalist house, our designers used the same dark gray for the brick and siding. We opted for black trim throughout, along with black doors and gutters to keep everything in one neat color family.
#9 // Neutral & natural
This minimalist house embraces a neutral color palette and natural materials to blend with the environment and create a warm, serene aesthetic. This design encompasses core minimalist design elements from the straight lines and geometric shapes to the colors and materials used throughout. We also added some sleek touches including the iron railing and Corten steel planter.
#10 // Simple & breezy
When we think of what makes up a minimalist house, we often imagine a no-frills approach to exterior design. Typically, these homes exude a sense of simplicity and serenity. This ideal bodes extremely well for coastal homes like the one shown in this design. We kept the palette warm and light to evoke a tranquil, breezy aesthetic.
Adding in some textural contrast, we flanked the entrance with cultured stone, which extends along the bottom of the house. We leaned even further into the beachy environment with the plants in the landscaping, dusty blue shutters, and light wood garage doors. Our designers kept the accents subtle yet elegant, matching the light fixtures throughout to the copper gutters.
Manifest your minimalist moment
By focusing on essential elements and embracing clean lines and geometric forms, minimalist design style allows homeowners to make a statement in a simple yet striking way. Whether it’s the use of natural materials to blend into the environment or the strategic use of symmetry and asymmetry to create visual interest, minimalist design has proven to be a trendy and versatile approach to exterior design. Partner with us and we can help you maximize your home’s minimalist potential.
Feeling inspired to start tackling your exterior design goals? Why wait? You deserve the exterior you’ve always dreamed of, and we’re ready to help you every step of the way. Get started today!
Subscribe for more content like this!
