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Prepare to be amazed by the potential hidden within a standard, dated 80s brick home. We've taken one uninspired "before" photo—a common two-story brick box—and reimagined it in fourteen wildly different, stunning architectural styles. From sleek industrial modern and mixed-material facades to warm Scandi-farmhouses and moody monochrome designs, these exterior facelifts prove that curb appeal is only limited by imagination and thoughtful material selection.
Scandi-Inspired Modern Farmhouse
This transformation completely erases the dated brick by introducing a stunning two-tone facade. The top half features crisp white vertical board-and-batten siding, which contrasts beautifully with the warm, horizontal natural cedar siding on the lower level. The flat, uninspiring entry is replaced by a substantial wood plank portico supported by black metal posts, sheltering a gorgeous glass-panel wood door. Black window frames and modern concrete planters finish the sophisticated, Scandinavian-influenced look.
Color Palette
Crisp White
#FFFFFF
Clean, bright backdrop for modern contrast
Natural Cedar
#C49365
Adds warmth and organic texture
Matte Black
#222222
Provides sharp definition and modern edge
Smooth Concrete
#A8A9AD
Industrial, minimalist grounding element
Moody Modern Industrial
A dramatic shift to a moody color palette redefines this home. The original brick on the bottom half is painted a deep charcoal grey, grounding the structure. Above, light taupe horizontal siding provides a subtle contrast. The entryway is modernized with a sleek, minimalist black metal awning hanging over a contemporary frosted glass door. The removal of the old bushes in favor of minimalist grasses and a paver-and-gravel walkway emphasizes the clean, industrial aesthetic.
Color Palette
Charcoal Grey
#4A4F55
Deep, substantial base tone
Light Taupe
#BDBBB0
Neutral contrast to the dark brick
Black Metal
#1A1A1A
Sleek industrial accents
Light Concrete
#D9D9D9
Bright, clean linear pathway
Contemporary Stone and Stucco
This renovation focuses on texture, combining smooth white stucco on the second story with a beautiful stacked gray stone veneer on the first level. The combination immediately adds perceived value and architectural interest. A minimalist flat concrete entry canopy with integrated downlighting highlights a rich walnut flat-panel door. The floating concrete slab walkway with underlighting creates a luxurious, high-end entry experience.
Color Palette
Smooth White Stucco
#F2F2F0
Clean, monolithic modern surface
Stacked Grey Stone
#8C8B86
Adds rich natural texture and weight
Walnut Wood
#6B4832
Warm focal point against cool tones
Raw Concrete
#9EA1A3
Architectural minimalist element
Classic Gabled Modern Farmhouse
A quintessential modern farmhouse transformation. The entire structure is clad in crisp white board-and-batten siding. The central focus is a grand, new timber-frame gabled porch with a metal standing-seam roof, adding immense character and depth. Black lanterns, black window frames, and a beautiful Craftsman-style wood door complete the look. A gravel driveway and lush hydrangea landscaping replace the dated suburban lawn.
Color Palette
Pure White
#FFFFFF
Classic farmhouse bright white
Medium Oak
#A67B5B
Rustic warmth and structure
Black Metal
#2B2B2B
High contrast definition
Grey Gravel
#999999
Casual, rustic texture
Minimalist Desert Modern
Influenced by Santa Fe modernism, this remodel smooths the entire facade with a warm beige stucco. The standard windows are replaced with massive, frameless picture windows that reflect the surroundings and flood the interior with light. A super-minimalist thin concrete awning with a glowing LED strip defines the entry over a simple dark slab door. The walkway is composed of large concrete slabs set in river rocks, complemented by sculptural agave planting.
Color Palette
Warm Beige Stucco
#D4C8B4
Earthy, smooth desert tone
Dark Espresso Wood
#3E3027
Rich, dark contrast point
Pale Concrete
#E0E0E0
Bright, clean pathway
Warm LED Glow
#F7E3A8
Soft, inviting architectural light
Mid-Century Modern Revival
This design embraces a Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. The brick is painted a creamy off-white, serving as a canvas for striking architectural additions. Dark stained vertical wood siding is added as accents around the new bronze-framed windows. The defining feature is a dramatic, angled wood slat pergola and porch structure that breaks the boxy symmetry. A retro-style wood door and a terrazzo-look walkway complete the vintage-inspired revival.
Color Palette
Creamy Off-White
#EEECE1
Soft, warm neutral base
Dark Walnut
#4A3525
Rich, mid-century wood tone
Bronze
#4F4339
Metallic warmth, softer than black
Terrazzo Aggregate
#C9C7C2
Retro speckled concrete finish
Hardcore Industrial Metal & Concrete
A radical transformation utilizing raw industrial materials. The bottom half features board-formed concrete walls, showing the wood grain texture. The top half is clad in dark grey corrugated metal siding. The entry is defined by a heavy-duty steel I-beam awning with exposed bolts over industrial steel-grid glass doors. A metal grate walkway elevates the approach, flanked by large weathering steel planters.
Color Palette
Dark Corrugated Metal
#363A3F
Utilitarian, textured metal
Board-Formed Concrete
#8F9194
Raw, textured concrete finish
Industrial Black Steel
#1F1F1F
Heavy-duty metal accents
Weathered Steel (Corten)
#8B5A3C
Rusted patina finish
Rustic Craftsman Cottage
This makeover softens the home with rustic, natural textures. The top half is covered in natural cedar shake siding, while the bottom features rough-hewn blue-grey stone. A beautiful timber-frame gabled porch with copper gutter details creates a welcoming entry for a Craftsman wood door. A charming flagstone walkway winds through new, abundant cottage-style garden beds filled with lavender and roses.
Color Palette
Natural Cedar Shake
#BCA68E
Rustic, textured wood shingles
Blue-Grey Stone
#7A8288
Cool toned, rugged stone
Warm Pine
#A87E52
Inviting wood tones
Varied Flagstone
#9C9588
Natural stone path
Two-Tone Modern Stucco
A clean, geometric modern update using stucco. The house is divided sharply by color: smooth white stucco on the top story and a dark charcoal grey stucco on the bottom. This strong horizontal line makes the house feel wider and more grounded. A sleek, thin black metal awning and an oversized black modern door create a minimalist focal point, complemented by black window frames and structured boxwood hedging.
Color Palette
Bright White
#FFFFFF
Clean, sharp upper level
Charcoal Grey
#54585D
Grounding dark base
Matte Black
#212121
Minimalist definition
Concrete Slab
#BDBDBD
Simple modern path
Natural Wood Clad Minimalist
The brick is entirely concealed beneath beautiful horizontal natural wood cladding, likely cedar or larch, giving the home a warm, organic, yet thoroughly modern feel. The design is kept extremely simple to let the wood grain shine, with a minimalist matching wood awning over a full-glass black-framed door. The landscaping is changed to a naturalistic meadow planting with a gravel and concrete slab path.
Color Palette
Natural Larch/Cedar
#D2A773
Warm, organic continuous wood surface
Black Aluminum
#2B2B2B
Thin, modern contrast
Light Concrete
#E6E6E6
Clean stepping stones
Tan Gravel
#C2B2A0
Natural texture pathway base
Dramatic Black Brick and Wood
This high-contrast makeover paints the existing brick a matte black for instant drama. To prevent it from feeling too heavy, thick natural wood trim is added around the white windows, and the entryway is highlighted with a new vertical wood cladding section and a modern wood door. A sleek black metal awning completes the look. The landscaping uses high-contrast foliage (chartreuse and dark purple) to match the architecture.
Color Palette
Matte Black
#282828
Dramatic, uniform backdrop
Honey Oak
#B98E5C
Warm, striking contrast to black
Black Metal
#151515
Sleek modern shelter
White Frame
#FFFFFF
Pops against the black brick
Timeless Traditional Revival
A sophisticated update that leans into traditional elegance. The brick is painted a creamy off-white. The generic flat entry is replaced with a stunning classical portico featuring columns and a real copper standing-seam roof that will patina beautifully over time. Windows are upgraded to dark bronze frames with traditional mullions. A classic herringbone brick walkway elevates the approach.
Color Palette
Creamy White
#F0EEE6
Soft, traditional base
Natural Copper
#B37E67
Luxurious metal accent
Dark Bronze
#4A3C31
Elegant alternative to black
Classic Oak
#9C7A53
Traditional warm wood
Modern Glass Atrium Addition
The most structural change of all, this renovation involves painting the brick white and carving out the center of the home to install a massive, two-story black steel and glass atrium. This floods the interior with light and creates a spectacular modern entrance, revealing a new wood staircase inside. Floating concrete walkways and planters filled with bamboo enhance the ultra-modern aesthetic.
Color Palette
White Painted Brick
#F7F7F7
Bright, clean canvas
Black Steel
#1C1C1C
Bold industrial framing
Light Wood
#E3CA9F
Warm interior focal point
Smooth Concrete
#B0B2B5
Minimalist planters and paths
Eco-Modern with Living Roof
This innovative design focuses on sustainability and organic architecture. The brick is painted white, and new wood-framed windows are installed. The defining feature is a large, cantilevered green roof (living roof) canopy that extends over the entry and left side of the house, topped with grasses and sedums. A permeable paver walkway and extensive native landscaping with a water feature complete the eco-conscious transformation.
Color Palette
White Paint
#F5F5F5
Clean backdrop for nature
Natural Wood
#A88B68
Organic framing elements
Sage Green Metal
#6F826A
Blends with the living roof
Permeable Concrete Pavers
#A1A3A1
Eco-friendly hardscaping
Pro Tips & Advice
- Don't Neglect the Hardscaping: The path to your door is crucial. Replacing a generic concrete sidewalk with large pavers, flagstone, or a gravel path instantly elevates the property's perceived value.
- Windows Change Everything: Moving from standard white sliders to black-framed, bronze, or wood windows (even without changing their size) completely modernizes the facade and adds definition.
- Redefine the Entryway: A flat front house needs dimension. Adding a portico, a bold awning, a pergola, or a recessed entry creates a focal point and welcomes guests.
Conclusion
These fourteen transformations demonstrate that you don't need to demolish an existing structure to achieve a dream home exterior. By seeing past the dated red brick and uninspired architecture, these designs utilize paint, varied cladding materials like wood and metal, updated fenestration, and creative landscaping to turn a basic 'box' into a unique architectural statement piece. Your dream home might just be hidden under a layer of 80s brick.
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