8 Inspiring Modern Cottage House Exteriors
By: Sarah
What is modern cottage style? We know that cottage-style homes are popular. But what does it mean when we add ‘modern’ to the mix? And how does this style translate to home exteriors, as opposed to an interior design aesthetic? Sometimes, it’s better to show than to tell. Read on for a handful of our favorite modern cottage style homes that we’ve recently designed for our clients.
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#1 // Warm green tones
The modern touches on this cottage-inspired home include the metal roof awnings over windows, the wood paneling around the entryway, and the stone-and-pavers walkway. Traditional cottage elements are the window boxes, the white brick house skirting, and the white windows and trim. We love the warm green color palette, rendered with Magnolia Home | James Hardie Collection siding products.
#2 // Quaint lakeside cabin
This charming lakeside home has a simple structure, so we used the front porch columns and awning to provide visual interest. The gray metal roof and light fixtures are more of-the-moment, while the color palette is warm and earthy. Our designers recommended Sherwin Williams’ Fawn Brindle on the siding and Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath on the trim.
#3 // Charming modern cottage, two ways
This adorable modern cottage is appealing because of its symmetry — and because of the ways in which our designers recommended asymmetry. Note how the front door is slightly off to the side, making room for a picture window in the setback entryway. Plus, the curved path from the driveway up to the covered porch is a nice break from the home’s generally straighter lines.
Above, we suggested using Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl on the siding and trim with a charred, thermally modified wood cladding that emulates shou sugi ban in the setback. The color palette below is richer, with Benjamin Moore’s Blue Note on the siding, Seapearl on the eaves and soffit, and natural-tone wood cladding around the front door.
#4 // All in the details
This home’s cottage style comes out in the details — specifically, the wood pergola over the front patio and the x-style white railings. The bright white trim and eaves, rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Extra White, are also quintessentially cottage. The modern touches include the siding color (Sherwin Williams’ Peppercorn), the dark shingle roof, the furniture and planters, and the sconce by the front door.
#5 // Modern cottage split level
This split-level home has lots of cottage flair along with a few modern components that make it an excellent example for this roundup. The soft color palette and large porch with the x-railings are quintessential cottage. Specifically, we suggested Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors: Aloof Gray on the board-and-batten siding, Moderne White on the brick, and Extra White on the trim, eaves, and columns. The black shingle and metal roofs and the freestanding firepit lounge area both feel more modern.
#6 // Modern siding with metal roof
This home had some Cape Cod cottage vibes to start, and the homeowners came to us looking for a transitional-to-modern update. They also wanted to honor its natural setting. Material choices helped with the modernity, while color selections kept the woodsy cottage vibe. We suggested panel siding in Sherwin Williams’ Evergreen Fog, real-wood cladding, and black windows and balcony railings.
#7 // Shingle siding, two ways
Shingle siding is coastal cottage vibes, all the way. Here, we offered two color ideas for the shingles: James Hardie’s Light Mist above and Arctic White below. Modern design features include the sconces and recessed lighting beneath the portico and the stone-and-pavers walkway.
#8 // Paint for cottage aesthetic
Lastly, we have a client’s paint-only updated design to share. We suggested Benjamin Moore paints for this home: Barren Plain on the siding and brick, Sea Haze on the shutters, and Shoji White on the trim, gutters, downspouts, soffits, and fascia. All this home needed was some fresh paint to give it a modern coastal cottage look!
Modern cottage homes for inspiration
Modern cottage homes are undoubtedly on trend. And we think this trend will continue. After all, ‘cottage style’ has been around for years and years. Adding a modern touch to a timeless look is always a smart move!
If you have a cottage home that needs some modern touches or a modern home that you’d like to give some cozy cottage energy, we’re here to help. Plus, we’d love to help you with your new build or your stucco home. We’ve seen it all! All we need from you is a photo (or blueprint) of your property, some input as to what you do and don’t want to change about it, and we’ll take it from there. Get started today.
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