Over the last few months of traveling to different cities in the U.S. touring parade homes, meeting with builders and walking through new communities/developments, I can’t tell you how excited I am to share with you some of the beautiful exterior home design trends that I have been seeing in new construction.
Whether you have plans to build in the short-term, remodel or enjoy seeing the trends (like me), today’s post is loaded with some absolutely incredible exterior designs that I think you guys are going to love and hopefully be inspired by in some way.
Let’s jump into the latest exterior trends!
Painted Brick
I wanted to start off with the biggest (and most surprising trend) that I have been seeing the last few months is the surge of painted brick exteriors. While painted brick is certainly not a new trend and over the past few years, we have seen this trend primarily in exterior remodel projects but it’s so surprising just how many new homes that I have been seeing that are bricked first and then the brick is painted! Again, we’re talking new home construction! Just think about that.. The builder builds and bricks the home and then paints it!
I cannot tell you how excited I am to see painted brick trend in new construction because there are so many areas in the country with dated brick homes that homeowners are choosing to paint as a way to update the home. In East Texas where I live, this is big issue because most of the homes are brick like mine and in the 1980’s, hideous beige, peach or yellow washes were used over the brick and it’s so unsightly and homeowners like myself want to update but are too scared to commit to painting the brick. Seeing this trend in new construction should give homeowners confidence that painting their brick is an updated option!
Seeing painted brick trend in new construction is all the more reason to convince home owners that painting dated brick is ok and actually now an updated look that were seeing in new homes. There are many different techniques that I’m seeing when it comes to painted brick that I will breakdown in detail in a later post but in the meantime, here are some new homes with painted brick to give you an idea.
German Smear
German smear or sometimes called “mortar smear” is a popular technique used on brick that is done with mortar (mortar is the cement mixture used on exteriors in between brick). The mortar is unevenly troweled onto to the brick like this:
While German Smear has been a very popular technique in the Houston and East Texas area for decades, I was so excited to see this finish being used quite a bit in new construction outside of Texas in areas like Utah. This is exciting to me because not only is it a beautiful finish, seeing this trend in new construction gives homeowners like me with dated brick another option when it comes to updating their exteriors.
Something else really interesting and exciting is that I have been seeing a lot of new homes being done with a combination mortar and paint that I have never seen before that is an absolutely gorgeous finish! It’s hard to describe but it’s not quite a stucco look because you can still see faint outlines of the brick.
Again, in the coming months, I will be sharing a deep dive on these various brick treatments as I research and test products for using on updating my ugly dated brick exterior. I’m just now beginning to research the various products so I will keep you posted!
Shaker Accent (Shake)
Of course, shake siding will always be popular, especially out East but I have been surprised to see so much of it now being used throughout the rest of the country where I live and out West. I have been seeing a big surge of shake being used in combination with stone and board and batten and the look is so beautiful on exteriors.
What’s also really interesting is that we are seeing the shake more on modern farmhouse architectural styles and it’s evolving into a Cap Cod meets modern farmhouse design style and I am so excited about this exterior trend!
One of the biggest reasons I personally think were starting to see so much shake now being used throughout the country and in such extreme weather areas like Houston and in snowy Utah is the development of a wide range of great fiber-cement shake shingles for siding that is part fiber and part cement, so it’s about as durable as it gets when it comes to siding. Traditional, shake is usually cedar, which is not ideal in the most extreme weather areas. It also is a good way to break up traditional board and batten on an exterior like this:
Modern Farmhouse (Evolved)
We’re still seeing the modern farmhouse trend in a very strong way across the country but as I have talked about in the past here, modern farmhouse has really evolved significantly in so many ways. Today’s modern farmhouse (in the last 6-12 months of new construction that I have seen) may have the same exterior characteristics of a traditional modern farmhouse like board and batten, metal awnings and roof design but a lot of what I’m seeing is far more modern than what we have seen in the last few years like the addition of black painted trims and modern window design.
I’m also not surprised to see a lot of new homes going the other way on the spectrum into more traditional farmhouse and not modern in any way.
At some point as the modern farmhouse continues to evolve and the differences between the two ends of the spectrum of traditional farmhouse and modern farmhouse becomes more expansive, I think we will need to come up with a new style/description to describe these homes. We’re close to reaching a point on the modern end that modern farmhouse isn’t the right description.
Let me also add that another popular trend that I have seeing with modern farmhouse architecture is the addition of natural wood accents. I’m sure you guys have been seeing this trend as well! This is something that I think will continue to increase in popularity when it comes to exterior trends. Also, this is an easy element to add to an older dated home to update it!
Stone
Another observation that I have made in the last year is that I’m seeing a pretty significant increase in the use of stone in new construction and an increase in the way it’s being used on exteriors. Of course, stone has been around forever and has always been fairly popular as more of an accent but what I have been seeing lately is an increase in stone mixed with board and batten or traditional siding that is more of just an stone accent but used on the top or bottom half of a home. I think it’s best if I show you what I mean.
Of course, I also have been seeing the shake mixed with stone accents, which is also a beautiful combination!
One last thing about stone… I have also been seeing a lot of completely stoned houses in new construction, which IS so surprising! Most of these homes are French chateau architecture and I can’t tell you how many new homes I have been seeing lately in this elegant style!
I ran out of room in today’s post but I wanted to also mention that another huge trend I have noticed are decorative garage doors. We are seeing a lot of reclaimed wood and highly decorative garage doors being incorporated and you can see more of that trend here. Also, if you want to see the latest interior design trends, check out my recap from the 2018 Utah Valley Parade of Homes.
It’s such an inspiring time right now when it comes to architectural and exterior designs. Anything goes it seems but these elements I mentioned in the post are the biggest exterior trends that I have noticed in the last few months. Any surprises here for you? What elements are your favorite? I would also love to know what exterior trends that you have been noticing in your communities.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Cathy says
We are going to be building a home in Panama City Beach, FL. Although white is beautiful, I like color and want to know if “trends” are different for beach houses. (We are one block off gulf).
Cyndy says
So fun Cathy! I have been to several coastal new communities this year and of course, we are seeing lots of muted beachy colors when it comes to beach houses. Muted meaning it may be a light blue pastel color that has more gray in the undertone to diffuse and soften the color pigmentation. I would suggest looking at colors at the paint store that border the gray section. Look for colors that are one shade away from gray whether blue, green, yellow, etc.. because with the strong coastal sunshine, a muted color will be less intense and softer in color. I hope that helps! Keep me posted! 🙂
Cathy Oaten says
Wow – love them all. Wish I knew the house color on pic #1!
Cyndy says
Funny you should ask about the color of that particular home as I stood outside of it for about 20 minutes trying to figure out the color. I actually think it’s Benjamin Moore Patriotic White (which is one shade up from Wedgewood Gray) or a color extremely close to Patriotic. At first glance, I thought it WAS Wedgewood as it has exact same undertones but it is about one shade lighter, which is Patriotic White. Hope that helps! 🙂
Cathy Oaten says
Thanks, Cyndy!
Nancy says
Cindy – oh so pretty
But would love to see some contemporary.
Here they r doing a lot of contemporary right now that and farm house .
Thanks love your blogs .
Nancy
Cyndy says
Thank you Nancy! We have a beautiful contemporary home coming up next week with a video walk-thru that you will love! I also just interviewed a designer and photographed another contemporary home that I’ll be sharing in the next couple of weeks! Stay tuned and thank you so much for following along Nancy!
Bunny says
I love stone houses both old and new but they present a challenge that seems much different from other materials when it comes to selecting colors of paint for trim, doors, shutters, windows etc. I see many that are done so beautifully, but when I get to the paint store I’m completely overwhelmed not knowing where to start. Help!!!
Cyndy says
One of the things I recommend when it comes to choosing paint colors to accent stone or brick homes is to use the stone or brick itself as your guide. For example, if you want a light trim color, look at the lightest shades found in the stone/brick. If you want a dark trim/accent, look to the darkest shades. I personally think when it comes to stone specifically, I would recommend choosing an accent color in the middle tone so that the stone remains the focal point and the trim disappears or fades. I hope that helps!
Barb says
Love this post! We are currently trying to figure colors for a house we are building in Union, KY. I absolutely love the stone and paint color on the house that appears to have a Parade of Homes sign in the front yard. Any chance you could tell me how I could find a link to the builder so I could ask stone/color selections? Also, would you be interested in design/selection assistance for our construction project?
Kelly says
If you go on saltlakeparade.com, you can view homes and it gives contact info for the builders.
Angela says
Is there any way to get paint colors on these homes?
Cyndy says
Sorry, I don’t have the exact paint colors but I am working on a post with very close paint colors and color combinations using these homes as examples. I should have it posted in the new couple of weeks. 🙂
Jennesa says
Hi there! Did not ever follow up with a post on close in colors to these homes? There is a home I’m in love with and would love your guess, as we are building a home right now!
Justin Moll says
Do you have more details or pictures of the stone house I the last collection of pictures with the black garage doors? There’s three pictures and I’d love to model our house in SC after it.
Jill says
Thanks for sharing! Under the section, modern farmhouse evolved, do you have any source info on the second home pictured. I love the stone and I’m trying to track down the name of the stone on that home. Was it a parade home? Thank you!
Sharon Provenzale says
Do you know the manufacturer and name of the stone on your first picture under “Stone” (with the grey siding, dark french arched doors and white trim)? Thank you
Hope says
I just came across to our page and I am dying over it! Thank you so much for your parade of homes recap and all your knowledge! I went to the SLC parade of homes and it was wonderful. We just built a home ourselves and I have so many questions…. so I would love love love to pick your brain about some paint options/ stone work.
Also, can you tell me who was the builder for this home? I want to know more about the stone!! It’s the cover photo… the black siding home with cream/ gray stone. It has a red parade of homes sign in the front!
Jacquie says
Hi Hope,
I’m not sure if you received a reply, but I was looking for info on the same home. After much searching…
The builder is Ivory Homes. The stone is available through Beehive Brick and it is called Mayan Ruin.
Steve says
Hello Cyndy
IMG_0155.jpeg
Can you please let us know the name of the mfg and the color of the stone in this picture. We are having a hard time finding one and this would be perfect!
Thanks
Casey says
I love the look of the house under construction (11853 address) with the small tractor. Could you tell me the builder for that house or the neighborhood? Useing the stone to create a column for the staircase is beautiful and I love that the garage is so hidden.
Thank you!
Ashley says
Would love to know this builders info also.
Summer Pugh says
Just found your site and so amazed! I live in Northern Utah and love your pictures and comments. I am wondering where the home is (address) that has the lighter cobblestone and white grout with the light blue shutters and walnut flower box under the window ( you took a picture of a side wall). Absolutely love this look and would like to see a bigger picture of the front of the house to get a feel what it looks like. Thank you for all your wonderful pictures.
Katie Richardson says
Can you share the name of the stone in the picture directly under “Stone”? Love the look of this and would love to use on our current build.
Karen McLoughlin says
Can you please share the name of the stone in the photo right under “STONE”. I am looking for exterior stone on a renovation. The look is perfect!
Please reply😊
Kim says
If you are still looking for brick treatments for your home, look in to lime washing:)
Theresa says
I’m dying to know who the builder is of the home with black metal, white craftsman and lighter stone. Thank you in advance.
Wendi says
What exterior colors are used in the salt lake parade home on the Bradshaw home?
Cyndy says
I’m sorry, I was never able to get that information. Sorry.
Liz says
What do you think of the color repose gray for the exterior of a home?
Cyndy says
Repose Gray is a stunning (and popular) exterior color! If you google “Repose Gray, Exterior”, you can see a lot of homes painted in that color. Really beautiful and a color I recommend a lot for my clients!
Rebecca SCOTT says
Cyndy, I stumbled across your blog on Pinterest and I’m loving it! We’re getting ready to build next spring and I love the rock/shake combo. Is there any way for you to tell me more about picture #3, counting down after MODERN FARMHOUSE (EVOLVED) title. I love the stone on this house and want to try and find out more. Where is it/ who built it? or maybe you know what stone it is?
Thanks for any help, and thanks for the beautiful pictures!
Bonnie says
Hi! We are building a new home and I found this blog while I was browsing exterior ideas. Could you please tell me what stone is used on the Bradshaw home in the 2018 parade of homes (there are two photos of this same home when you talk about shaker siding with cape cod style [the particular house has a couple round black windows])? I’ve done a fair amount of research online and can’t find a way to learn more about it.
Also, what are your thoughts on mixing that stone with the white brick on the home with street number 9987 (pictured when you talk about natural wood elements with modern farmhouse architecture). In the neighborhood we’re building in (in Kansas) most of the homes have full brick fronts with sections of accent stone. Thoughts?