Exterior Overhaul: 12 Incredible Three-Story Home Transformations

Before: The Blank Canvas Three Story Home

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Witness the amazing potential hidden within a plain, three-story home. These twelve stunning before-and-after transformations showcase how changing siding, doors, windows, and landscaping can completely reinvent a property's curb appeal. From modern farmhouse to sleek industrial, discover the endless possibilities for exterior design.

Modern Farmhouse Chic

The original beige horizontal siding is replaced with crisp white board-and-batten, instantly brightening the facade. A new dark metal roof adds a modern industrial touch that contrasts beautifully with the white walls. The dated brown door is swapped for a welcoming light wood door with glass panels, flanked by new black lanterns. Black-framed windows and large wooden planters with hydrangeas complete the fresh, modern farmhouse look.

Color Palette

A clean, bright white that reflects light and modernizes the home.

A strong, contrasting color for the roof, window frames, and light fixtures.

A warm, inviting wood tone that adds character to the entryway.

A neutral, modern grey for the walkway.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Combine different siding styles, like board-and-batten with traditional planks, for added architectural interest.
Swap out dated window frames for black ones to create a modern, high-contrast look.
Use large statement planters on either side of the door to frame the entryway instantly.
Consider a metal roof in a dark color for a durable and stylish upgrade.

Mid-Century Modern Revival

This transformation embraces warm textures and bold color. The beige siding is traded for rich, horizontal wood cladding, accented by a central section of smooth grey stucco. The star of the show is the vibrant orange front door, which pops against the natural wood and grey tones. Globe lights and a sleek, low-maintenance xeriscape with agave plants and a paver path perfectly capture the mid-century modern aesthetic.

Color Palette

A rich, natural wood tone that provides warmth and texture.

A smooth, cool grey that creates a modern contrast.

A bold, energetic color that serves as the focal point.

Sleek black frames that define the windows clearly.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Don't be afraid of a bold front door color; it can completely change the character of your home.
Mix materials like natural wood siding with smooth stucco for a dynamic, modern look.
Replace traditional lawn with a xeriscape featuring drought-resistant plants and decorative stones for a low-maintenance, modern landscape.
Choose architectural lighting, like globe sconces, that complements the home's style.

Industrial Concrete Statement

A dramatic shift to an ultra-modern industrial style. The original facade is covered with large-format concrete panels, creating a sleek, monolithic look. Dark metal vertical siding sections add depth and contrast around the windows. The traditional roofline is given a flat, modern appearance with a prominent overhang and integrated strip lighting. A massive dark metal pivot door and minimalist landscaping with river stones complete this bold transformation.

Color Palette

An industrial, textured grey that forms the main body of the house.

A deep, almost black metal finish for siding accents and trim.

A dark, substantial finish for the large pivot door.

The color of the light emitted by the integrated strips.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Use large-format panels, like concrete or fiber cement, to achieve a seamless, modern aesthetic.
Integrate LED strip lighting under roof overhangs or along pathways for dramatic night-time curb appeal.
Consider a pivot door for a grand, modern entrance statement.
Keep landscaping minimalist with materials like river rock and architectural grasses to match the industrial vibe.

Breezy Coastal Charm

The house is reimagined as a charming coastal retreat. The beige siding is replaced with calming light blue horizontal planks, framed by wide, crisp white trim that defines the corners, windows, and band boards. A beautiful Craftsman-style wooden door adds warmth. The transformation is finished with hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, and a new flagstone walkway, creating a relaxed and inviting seaside feel.

Color Palette

A soft, calming blue that evokes a sense of the coast.

A bright white that makes the blue siding pop and defines architectural lines.

A warm, classic wood tone for the Craftsman door.

Natural stone with blue and grey hues.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

A light blue and white color palette is a classic choice for achieving a breezy, coastal look.
Install wider white trim around windows and corners to add substantial character and define the home's features.
Incorporate classic flowering plants like hydrangeas for a soft, welcoming garden.
Use natural stone, like flagstone or bluestone, for pathways to enhance the organic, coastal feel.

Scandinavian Simplicity

This makeover embraces the principles of Scandinavian design: simplicity, natural materials, and light. The exterior is clad entirely in vertical light wood siding, creating a clean and uniform look. The entryway is recessed and features a minimalist light wood door that blends seamlessly with the siding, highlighted by warm integrated lighting. Large, unadorned black-framed windows and a natural path of large stepping stones through grass complete the serene, minimalist aesthetic.

Color Palette

A pale, natural wood tone that feels light and airy.

Thin, black frames that provide a clean contrast to the wood.

Large, organic-shaped concrete pavers.

The warm, inviting light from the recessed entryway.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Use vertical wood siding to create a sense of height and clean lines.
Keep window treatments minimal or non-existent to maximize natural light and maintain a clean facade.
Create a recessed entryway to add depth and provide shelter, highlighting it with warm lighting.
Opt for a naturalistic path using large stepping stones set directly into the grass or gravel.

Moody Contemporary Makeover

A striking example of a dark exterior done right. The home's beige siding is replaced with dark charcoal horizontal planks, creating a moody and sophisticated backdrop. This is complemented by a modern black door with horizontal panels and black window frames for a near-monochromatic look. The landscaping is high-contrast, featuring black mulch, white decorative stones, and dark foliage, with integrated lighting under the entry canopy adding drama.

Color Palette

A deep, moody grey that gives the home a substantial, modern feel.

A solid black for the door, window frames, and trim.

Pure white stones used for high-contrast landscaping borders.

Dark grey pavers that blend with the overall theme.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Embrace dark colors like charcoal or black for a bold, contemporary statement.
Use high-contrast landscaping materials, such as white stones against dark mulch, to create visual interest.
Upgrade to a modern front door with clean horizontal lines to match the siding style.
Install integrated lighting in soffits or overhangs to dramatically highlight the dark facade at night.

Rustic Stone & Craftsman Detail

This transformation adds significant character and texture. The central section of the house is faced with beautiful stacked stone veneer, while the rest of the siding is updated to a warm olive green. The original door is replaced with a gorgeous Craftsman-style wood door featuring a stained-glass insert. Brown window frames and lush, fern-filled landscaping with a stone path complete the rustic and inviting look.

Color Palette

A warm, earthy green that blends well with natural surroundings.

A mix of warm earth tones in the stacked stone.

A rich wood stain that highlights the door's craftsmanship.

Brown frames that complement the rustic palette.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Adding stone veneer to a section of your home is a great way to add texture, value, and a rustic focal point.
Choose earthy siding colors like olive green, warm taupe, or rustic brown to harmonize with natural stone.
Invest in a high-quality wood front door with details like dentil shelves or stained glass to enhance the Craftsman style.
Plan lush landscaping with ferns, hostas, and other textured plants to soften the stone and siding.

The Bold All-Black Exterior

A fearless and dramatic transformation to an all-black exterior. The original horizontal siding is swapped for black vertical board-and-batten, adding texture to the dark facade. The roof, window frames, and even the new glass-panel modern front door are all black, creating a striking monochromatic statement. Formal, manicured boxwood hedges and a dark slate path provide a structured and sophisticated base for this bold design.

Color Palette

A solid, non-reflective black used for the majority of the house.

Matching black for the roof shingles and window frames.

Very dark grey natural stone pavers.

Sleek, modern black sconces.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Commit fully to the monochromatic look by matching the roof, windows, door, and trim to the black siding.
Use vertical siding like board-and-batten to add texture and prevent a flat appearance on an all-black house.
Pair the bold exterior with very structured, formal landscaping like manicured hedges to create a clean, high-end look.
Choose modern, minimalist lighting fixtures that blend in rather than stand out.

Modern Wood & Stucco Fusion

This modern makeover uses a beautiful contrast of materials. The main body of the house is rendered in smooth white stucco, while the central entrance section is highlighted with warm, vertical wood cladding. A sleek, modern wood door matches the cladding perfectly. The transformation is elevated by floating concrete steps with integrated LED strip lighting, leading through a modern desert-inspired landscape.

Color Palette

A bright, smooth finish that creates a clean modern look.

A warm, reddish-brown wood tone that defines the entry.

Black frames that provide a sharp contrast to the white stucco.

Smooth, light grey concrete steps.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Use contrasting materials like smooth stucco and textured wood to create architectural interest and define different sections of the home.
Match your front door to a wood accent feature for a cohesive and high-end look.
Install floating concrete steps for a sleek, modern entryway.
Add integrated LED strip lighting under steps or architectural features for a luxurious night-time effect.

Classic Colonial Revival

A timeless and elegant transformation. The beige siding is replaced with deep blue horizontal planks, beautifully contrasted by crisp white trim on the corners, windows, and a new classic pediment over the door. The original door is swapped for a vibrant red six-panel colonial door, creating a stunning focal point. Formal landscaping with rose bushes, boxwoods, and a traditional brick pathway completes the classic look.

Color Palette

A rich, classic blue that adds depth and elegance.

Bright white trim that makes the blue siding and architectural details pop.

A vibrant, traditional red that serves as a welcoming focal point.

Classic red clay bricks in a running bond pattern.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

A deep blue house with white trim is a timeless combination that instantly adds curb appeal.
Use a bold, classic color like red for your front door to create a striking focal point.
Add architectural details like a pediment over the door to enhance the colonial style.
Plan formal, symmetrical landscaping with traditional plants like roses and boxwoods to complete the look.

Naturalistic Cottage Retreat

This transformation turns the house into a charming, naturalistic cottage. The beige siding is replaced with tan board-and-batten, giving it a rustic texture. A unique, knotty wood door adds immense character to the entryway. The traditional lawn is completely replaced with a sprawling, low-maintenance wildflower meadow and a simple gravel path, perfectly blending the home with its natural surroundings.

Color Palette

An earthy, neutral tone that blends well with the landscape.

A wood door with visible knots and grain for character.

Dark brown frames that complement the rustic aesthetic.

A simple, natural pea gravel path.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Choose earthy, neutral siding colors and rustic textures like board-and-batten for a cottage feel.
Select a front door with unique character, such as knotty wood or distinctive hardware.
Consider replacing a traditional lawn with a wildflower meadow for a beautiful, eco-friendly, and low-maintenance landscape.
Use simple, natural materials like gravel and wood for pathways and garden borders.

Southwest Desert Modern

A complete transformation into a modern desert oasis. The siding is replaced with smooth stucco in a warm terracotta color, evocative of the Southwest. A large, modern wood door becomes the centerpiece of the entryway. The front yard is entirely xeriscaped with large cacti, agave plants, boulders, and a decomposed granite path, while modern up-lighting highlights the home's architecture.

Color Palette

A warm, earthy orange-brown typical of Southwest adobe.

A warm wood tone that complements the stucco.

Dark brownish-black frames that suit the desert palette.

Fine, tan-colored decomposed granite.

Inspiration Tips for Similar Spaces

Use stucco in warm, earthy tones like terracotta or adobe for an authentic Southwest look.
Incorporate large-scale desert plants like cacti and agave, along with boulders, for dramatic and low-maintenance landscaping.
Choose a large, simple, modern wood door to anchor the entryway.
Use up-lighting on the house walls and large plants to create a dramatic effect at night.

Pro Tips & Advice

Before starting any exterior makeover, define your architectural style (e.g., Modern, Craftsman, Farmhouse) to ensure all elements from siding to lighting are cohesive.
Don't underestimate the power of a new front door and updated house numbers; these small changes are high-impact focal points that can set the tone for the entire house.
Landscaping is a crucial part of curb appeal. Ensure your plant choices, pathway materials, and garden style complement the new look of your home's exterior.

Conclusion

These twelve transformations prove that no house is stuck with its original look. By thoughtfully selecting new siding materials, colors, doors, windows, and landscaping, you can dramatically increase your home's curb appeal and value. Whether you prefer the clean lines of a modern farmhouse, the warmth of a craftsman, or the boldness of an industrial design, the potential for a stunning exterior makeover is limitless.