Timeless Exterior Design Ideas That Will Never Go Out of Style
By: Hannah Warne
Trends come and go, but timeless exterior design is forever. Instead of adding of-the-moment details, opt instead for classic additions to your exterior that will age gracefully. From incorporating natural materials like brick and stone to choosing eternally en-vogue colors like white or beige, you can make your exterior transcend time in countless ways.
Discover our favorite timeless exterior design tips and tricks to transform your home.
The brick&batten team is an expert at creating timeless exterior design. From classic color palettes to natural design details, we’ll help you choose every element to create the home of your dreams. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Create a Timeless Exterior Design Through Symmetry
Humans are naturally drawn to the beauty of symmetry. From symmetrical patterns found in nature — like flower petals or snowflakes — to striking symmetrical features of some of the world’s most beautiful people, we all gravitate towards things that are even and equal.
Why not apply this same principle to exterior design? Crafting a house with the same features on both sides will create a symmetrical design bound to stand the test of time. This creates a balanced feel to the home and offers a natural focal point in the middle — typically, the entryway.
The best part about symmetry is that it can be used across architectural styles to create a timeless exterior design. From Mediterranean stucco homes to intricate Victorians, it’s a design trick that can be employed in any transformation. Consider also extending symmetry to your landscape design for added harmony.
Eco-friendly upgrades
Prioritizing the planet will always be en vogue. When refreshing your exterior, consider eco-conscious, sustainable materials to minimize environmental impact. All-natural additions like wood, stone, or brick siding are preferable to synthetic variations like vinyl. These siding types also tend to make homes more energy efficient. This lowers your utility bills considerably and helps reduce your carbon footprint.
If you are also redoing your landscaping, opt for native plants. Because they’re planted in their natural habitat, they require far less water and help protect the soil. This not only makes them lower maintenance but is also a more innovative option for the local ecosystem.
Neutral color palettes
Neutral color palettes are a crowd favorite that transcend trends. Certain colors, like sage green or slate blue, ebb and flow in popularity. Classics like white, beige, black, or gray, however, stand the test of time.
Neutral shades — or those with low saturation and intensity — offer a more muted, softer approach to exterior design. But that doesn’t mean they’re boring. Mixing and matching multiple neutral hues allows you to create an exterior color palette that is both stylish and timeless.
Materials also make a statement when talking timeless home exteriors. The Mossy Cedar Split Shake Siding shown above, with mosaic Flint Hill stone and faux copper gutters scream classic. But there are countless white paint colors, off-white shades, or even grays and blacks to choose from to find the perfect combo for your home.
Red brick siding is a timeless exterior design
Almost no other building material has the staying power of brick. This durable material has been used in construction since 7,000 BCE — and maybe even as early as the Roman Empire.
Though the earliest bricks were mud, the iconic red bricks we know and love today have been used since the 1760s. This material was (and still is) used so widely because it is incredibly durable, low maintenance, and fire- and moisture-resistant.
Brick, however, is also coveted for its aesthetic appeal. The natural texture of the brick and mortar, warm and welcoming color, and traditional feel make it a timeless option for home exteriors. You can select from various hues and even lay the brick in interesting patterns — like herringbone — for added depth and dimension. Whatever you choose, one thing is certain: brick will never go out of style.
White trim
White is arguably the most timeless color in home design. This universal, neutral hue pairs well with any other shade, making it the perfect addition to exterior color palettes. And though you may want to go a big bolder or more trender with your primary color, using white as the shade for your trim is a wise choice that will last through the ages.
There are nearly endless white paint colors, but a few are more versatile than others. Seapearl by Benjamin Moore — an off-white hue with subtle gray undertones — is a crowd favorite thanks to its warm, welcoming feel. For a creamy shade with slight yellow undertones, opt for Creamy by Sherwin-Williams®. Thanks to its neutral base, this color doesn’t skew too warm and is the perfect complement for various hues.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will significantly impact 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.
Wooden design accents
Design elements inspired by nature are never likely to go out of style, so it’s safe to assume that wood details are eternally stylish. From front doors to fencing to columns or soffits, incorporating wood will add a soft, organic edge to your home’s exterior. It also adds dimension to your color palette, pulling in warm tones that complement neutral palettes and bolder colors like navy, green, or even red.
Picture windows
Plentiful natural light is a highly sought-after quality in any home. Adding large picture windows is the perfect way to brighten your interior and add character to your exterior, too. These single-pane windows create a photograph-like effect, lending the design element its name.
While these windows come in many shapes and sizes and can be customized with different details, they create a grand, sophisticated look to the exterior that is as stylish now as it was 50 years ago — and will likely be 50 years in the future.
Ready to transform your home’s exterior? Whether you’re prepping a house for sale or giving your forever home a fresh look, we’re here to bring your vision to life. At brick&batten, we’ll work with you to understand your design goals and make them a reality. Learn more about our exterior design services.
Stone accents & siding create a timeless exterior design
When in doubt, add stone accents for a timeless exterior design. Like wood, this natural material offers an enduring air of grandeur and sophistication to a home’s exterior. It’s also a versatile option. You can use stone cladding for the entire exterior or create a small stone accent wall — or anything in between.
Stone also comes in many shapes and colors, from bluestone to sandstone to limestone. This variety ensures you can find a stone to match any color palette. It also creates a cohesive look and feel for your exterior that will be as on-trend tomorrow as it is decades from now.
A timeless exterior design transformation
Though there’s nothing wrong with choosing a trendy design for your exterior, it can result in a never-ending cycle of redesigning every few years. For something with more longevity, opt instead for a timeless exterior design.
Mixing and matching on-trend elements with finishes and colors that are more ageless will create a one-of-a-kind style that best represents your aesthetic. From color palettes to light fixtures to landscaping, finding a beautiful balance of classic and contemporary will ensure your home feels uniquely you.
Need help bringing timeless design to your exterior? brick&batten virtual exterior design services will help you choose your color palette, design elements, and every other detail to create a home exterior that is eternally stylish. Start your project today!
Subscribe for more content like this!
