13 Modern Craftsman House Exteriors We Love
By: Mackenzie
Craftsman-style homes are inspired by a type of architecture that was born from the Arts and Crafts movement during the mid-19th century. Characteristics include exposed rafters, gabled roofs, front porches with support columns, and wood framing. To make a craftsman home more modern, our designers have a slew of ideas that will get you inspired. Check out some of our favorite modern craftsman house designs below.
Whether you have a craftsman house in need of a modern overhaul or you have an entirely different design style in mind, we can help you visualize every detail before you take the plunge on renovations. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
#1 // Gable + Exposed Rafters
For this modern craftsman house, our designers accentuated some of the most notable design features with white trim. We painted the exposed rafters on this home’s gable with Benjamin Moore’s Seapearl — one of our go-to off-white paint colors. Against the warm, dark exterior (painted with Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze), the white-painted elements stand out and draw the eye.
#2 // Multiple Gables
This rendering also uses Urbane Bronze siding with Seapearl trim in a slightly different execution, but still resulting in a warm and welcoming aesthetic. The home’s multiple gables make the façade appear multidimensional; outlining the peaks with off-white trim further accentuates them. To make things even more dynamic, our designers added cultured stone to the exterior.
#3 // Stone and Siding
If you gravitate toward dark colors for siding but don’t want too stark of an exterior, you might consider mixing materials. This home provides the perfect balance of depth and warmth. Our designers suggested Benjamin Moore’s Graphite for the siding, juxtaposed by the light-colored stone siding. The trim, rendered in Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak, further lightens the palette, while the black garage doors add more contrast. The wood accents provide another layer to the face of the home and serve as a subtle bridge between the light and dark features.
#4 // Black Trim
White trim is stunning and seamlessly lends itself to modern craftsman house designs, but black trim can make for a striking look. This home has a nature-inspired design to fit in with its surroundings. From the gray-green siding — rendered in Sherwin William’s Mountain Road — to the wood and stone accents, the earthy vibe is strong. Adding black trim to the mix brings more depth to the design, creating a bolder façade.
#5 // Wood Paneling and Porch Columns
Black and white might just be the quintessential timeless-meets-classic color palette, but this modern craftsman house has a little extra flare. While the upper levels of the home showcases black cladding and white trim, the main level is covered in wood paneling, with black and white accents pulling it all together.
#6 // Twin Peaks
This modern craftsman house has a gable on each end, making it appear neat and symmetrical. For this design, we especially love how both peaks are above a functional aspect of the home. The peak on the left hovers over the entrance and covers the porch, while the one on the right is above the garage. We worked with this symmetry by balancing light and dark elements on either side of the home.
#7 // Modern Craftsman Bungalow
Cultivating a cozy aesthetic doesn’t mean you have to use warm and earthy paint colors — sometimes it’s all in the design style. A bungalow is charming by nature and this design is proof. In particular, the use of a neutral palette makes the natural brick stand out.
#8 // Landscaping and Hardscaping
This home’s exterior is architecturally interesting and offers plenty of open space, so our designers filled in the gaps with gorgeous landscaping and hardscaping. The white trim on the gable, wood exposed rafters and columns, stone, and siding acts as a way to highlight the home’s architectural lines, making for a thoughtful design.
#9 // Quaint and Simple
This client wanted to embrace simplicity with their curb appeal. Our designers painted this charming home’s brick exterior with Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Olive and used Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black for the shutters. The subtle wood accents further elevate the design.
#10 // A Layered Look
Mixing paint colors and textures is a great way to give your exterior a layered look. For the cladding on this home, our designers used Benjamin Moore’s Rockport Gray. Next, we suggested the more-saturated Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal for the siding. The limewash brick at the base of the porch columns, copper gutters, and wood accents offer even more dimension.
#11 // Gabled Dormer Windows
The right side of this modern craftsman house features a front-loader garage with a striking gable that draws the eye. To add more sharp lines to the architecture and provide balance, our designers included a visualization for gabled dormer windows on the other side of the home.
#12 // Create a Frame
One of our favorite ways to use white trim on a modern craftsman house is as a ‘frame’ to make certain design elements pop. Each of this home’s peaks are outlined with thick, bright white trim, as is the bonneted dormer window, creating a layered, intentional design.
#13 // A High-Contrast Palette
As we said earlier in this post, black and white is a timeless color pairing. To achieve a contrasted, clean look, our designers used Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty for the siding and Benjamin Moore’s Grand Teton White for the trim. We especially love that the trim is a warmer off-white rather than a brighter shade because it adds warmth to the palette.
Ready to give your craftsman house a modern makeover?
If you have a craftsman-style house and you want to achieve a modern design for it, there are so many ways to make it happen. From mixing materials for a layered look to accentuating the architecture, our designers can help you visualize the home of your dreams.
Whether you want to modernize your craftsman house or you have an entirely different design style in mind, we can help you see your home’s potential. We’re ready to help you achieve your design goals. Get started today.
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