Exterior Decorating

Original farmhouses built between 1880-1950 typically feature 8-10 inch wide clapboard siding, 30-year-old cedar shingles, and single-pane windows losing 25-30% more energy than modern double-pane alternatives. Your aging farmhouse has irreplaceable character but needs serious functional and aesthetic updates. I’m covering 11 thoughtful approaches from siding restoration and window upgrades to porch rebuilds and foundation…

Your barndominium needs exterior character blending agricultural roots with residential warmth. Traditional metal barns measure 40-60 feet wide with 14-16 foot sidewalls and 4:12 to 6:12 roof pitch costing $30-50 per square foot. You want rustic barn aesthetics merging with farmhouse charm without looking like unfinished storage buildings. I’m covering 10 refined approaches from mixed…

Your farmhouse exterior needs updating but white feels too stark and dark grey too heavy. Light grey paint reflects 50-65% of sunlight compared to white’s 80% and dark grey’s 20%, balancing brightness with visual warmth perfectly. You want soft sophisticated neutrality honoring farmhouse character without harsh brightness or overwhelming darkness. Light grey farmhouse exterior ideas…

Your farmhouse exterior needs Mediterranean warmth but typical styles feel too formal or hacienda-heavy. Traditional Spanish roofs slope 3:12 to 4:12 pitch with clay tiles weighing 900-1,200 pounds per square requiring reinforced framing. You want relaxed Spanish character merging with farmhouse simplicity without ornate complexity or structural complications. I’m covering 10 balanced approaches from white…

Your farmhouse exterior needs updating but white feels overused and dated colors miss the mark. Gray exterior paint reflects 25-40% of sunlight depending on shade compared to white’s 80%, reducing cooling costs while maintaining brightness. You want modern sophistication honoring farmhouse character without looking like every other house. Gray farmhouse exterior ideas blend rustic charm…

An 1800s farmhouse wasn’t built for curb appeal—it was built to work. These homes featured simple forms, local materials, and layouts shaped by function: a central door, symmetrical windows, a full-width porch, and a gable roof with minimal overhang. Most ranged from 1,200 to 2,200 sq ft, with clapboard or shiplap siding, brick or stone…

A red brick farmhouse exterior draws from early American and rural European traditions—where brick was made on-site from local clay and laid by hand. Most homes range from 2,000 to 3,200 sq ft, with porches 6’–10′ deep and roof pitches of 8:12 to 10:12, designed for function over fashion. Forget uniform “builder brick” or fake…

A Scandinavian farmhouse exterior merges the clean lines of Nordic design with the grounded warmth of rural architecture. Think white or pale wood siding, black-framed windows, and minimal ornamentation—but with texture, asymmetry, and natural materials that keep it from feeling sterile. These homes often feature steep roofs (10:12+), charcoal accents, and untreated wood that silvers…

A traditional farmhouse exterior draws from 19th- and early 20th-century rural American design—think white clapboard siding, a centered front door, and a full-width porch with square columns. These homes were built for function: wide eaves for shade, tall windows for cross-ventilation, and porches for outdoor living. Most range from 1,800 to 3,000 sq ft, with…

A stone farmhouse exterior draws from centuries of rural building—using local fieldstone, limestone, or river rock to create walls that age with dignity. Unlike faux veneers or painted siding, real or high-quality stone offers unmatched depth, durability, and thermal mass. Most homes range from 2,000 to 3,500 sq ft, with steep roofs, deep eaves, and…

A Mediterranean farmhouse draws from rural homes in southern France, Italy, and Spain, think stucco walls, clay tile roofs, and wrought iron, not ornate arches or bright colors. These homes use local materials like limestone, terracotta, and aged wood to create a look that feels sun-bleached, not staged. Most range from 2,000 to 3,500 sq…

Unlike American farmhouses with wide porches and symmetrical gables, the French farmhouse (or maison de campagne) favors asymmetry, natural materials, and understated elegance. These homes often feature steeply pitched roofs (10:12 to 14:12), tall shuttered windows, and local stone or stucco walls—not painted wood siding. The look is weathered, not staged; timeless, not trendy. Rooted…