Transforming your home into a southwestern style oasis is all about blending natural materials, warm tones, and architectural elements that reflect the beauty of the desert. From rustic stucco walls and terracotta roof tiles to curved features and native landscaping, achieving this look requires thoughtful design choices. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refresh your exterior, read on for tips on how to capture the laid-back charm and timeless appeal of southwest design.
Whether southwestern vibes are what you’re aiming for or you’re feeling a different aesthetic, like a modern mountain home, our designers are here to help. We will work with you to understand your unique style and goals. Ready to create a revamped exterior worthy of your imagination? Learn more about our services.
What is southwest style?
Southwest style design draws inspiration from the natural landscapes and cultural heritage of the American Southwest. Characterized by earthy tones like terracotta, sand, and clay, it emphasizes organic materials including stucco, wood, and stone. This design style often features curved architectural elements, like arched doorways and rounded walls, paired with rustic details like wooden beams, wrought iron accents, and tiled roofs. The overall aesthetic is warm, inviting, and deeply connected to the region’s history and environment.
Leverage landscaping
Landscaping can make a huge difference for a southwestern style exterior, creating an authentic aesthetic. For this design, we incorporated native, drought-tolerant plants (succulents, agave, and yucca are ideal for a southwestern look). Paired with the gravel ground cover and permeable pavers, this xeriscape is a low-maintenance approach to front yard landscaping.
The different textures on the plants give the design a dynamic look and the natural materials throughout the design blend seamlessly with the environment. The landscaping transcends to the patio space, where we used neutral planters that pair beautifully with the off-white stucco on the exterior.
Use tiled roofs
Tiled roofs are a hallmark of southwestern style exteriors, adding warmth and regional charm. The red clay tiles in the design above complement the natural desert landscape. Their curved, wave-like shapes not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also offer practical benefits like durability and insulation, which are ideal for hot, dry climates. Paired with the carriage house garage doors, wrought iron gate, and elaborate entrance, the tiles evoke traditional southwestern elegance.
On the home below, we opted for a beautiful deep brown hue for the tiled roof. The color draws out the darker tones of the wood used on the front door, backyard fence and gate, and garage doors, and also complements the neutral stucco effortlessly. We drove home the neutral southwestern palette with clay planters near the garage.
Implement curved features
Curved features capture the fluid, organic essence of a southwestern style exterior. In the design above, the gently rounded doorway and arched windows create a soft, flowy aesthetic. We enhanced the warm and welcoming vibe with a neutral color scheme, including off-white stucco and siding, and wood accents. The simplicity of the design allows the architectural elements to shine.
Below, the curved openings infuse the façade with symmetry. The rounded edges soften the structure of the exterior, creating contrast against the flat roofline. This classic southwestern layout evokes a welcoming, laid-back feel. Our designers added in thoughtful accents to infuse subtle opulence, including the copper lanterns and the tile behind the house numbers.
Embrace natural materials
Incorporating natural materials is key to achieving authentic southwestern style homes. For this design, we leaned into warmth. We opted for beige stucco with a brown roof and wood front door. Tying the palette together, we accentuated with stone, which features the same warm brown and beige tones.
The stone enhances some of the more architecturally interesting areas of the house. We used it on the back wall to highlight the arched opening, along with a small section beneath the windows. Our designers drove home the cohesive, natural look by using the stone on the columns at the head of the walkway. The stone, along with the rustic wood door, infuse a handcrafted, artisanal vibe.
Incorporate intricate accents
If you’re after a southwestern style aura for your exterior, don’t overlook the smaller details. Intricate, delicate accents can make all the difference with this design style. In the ranch above, we used an interesting geometric gate in the front yard. Enhancing the gate, we added some agave and wispy purple flowers for texture. We also wanted to draw focus to the entrance, so we added climbing blooms above the porch, along with planters and a cactus nearby.
Below, we made texture our best friend to accentuate the ornate nature of the southwestern aesthetic. We used tile (with a beautifully delicate pattern) to highlight the balcony, garage, and arched doorway. We continued the visual intrigue at the garage by flanking the door with mounted lanterns and slender Corten steel planters. Our designers also implemented a fountain near the opening leading to the entrance, adding opulence.
Include a courtyard or garden
If you want to create a southwestern oasis for your exterior, adding a courtyard or garden is a great way to make your space more inviting. Here, we filled the courtyard area with luscious, native plants for an authentic feel. We covered the walls in natural stone to blend with the environment, and embraced clay planters to amplify the southwestern vibe. The fountain adds another breathtaking element, enhancing the space’s relaxing ambiance.
Opt for flat rooflines
Flat rooflines are a defining feature of southwestern style exteriors, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits. On this home, the flat roof emphasizes the simplicity and earthy charm of the style while creating a clean, horizontal profile that blends seamlessly with the landscape. This roofline enhances the sense of openness, allowing the home to appear lower and more integrated with the beautiful landscaping. The layout includes a higher portico at the midpoint, drawing the eye to the entrance.
Draw inspiration from the environment
When it comes to southwestern style homes, embracing nature is paramount. This style is all about pulling from the environment and translating those elements to the exterior. For this design, we weaved wood accents (blending with the surrounding trees) throughout, on the front gate, trim, and shutters. We not only planted native plants in the ground surrounding the walkway, but used them in planters too.
The neutral palette our designers used blends seamlessly with the desert environment, which is a staple for southwestern design. We also complemented the gated entry area with a Corten steel planter and a concrete-clad fountain.
Seeing southwestern style in your design dreams?
Achieving a southwestern style exterior is about embracing the natural beauty and cultural influences of the desert region. By focusing on earthy tones, natural materials, curved architectural features, and other elements, you can create an exterior that feels warm, welcoming, and harmonious with its surroundings. Whether it’s through thoughtful landscaping, traditional stucco walls, or detailed tile work, the key is to combine rustic simplicity with artisanal charm. Our designers can help put all the right elements in place to achieve supreme southwestern style!
