33 jaw dropping exterior home design ideas

Natural wood may be the classic choice for home siding but don’t let that fool you into thinking wood is boring or predictable. Here are 36 examples of extraordinary houses made even more stunning with their creative uses of real wood. 

1. An Origami Inspired Wooden Facade

The use of different shapes and angles is a great way to make a big impression in architecture; the Archive house in Norway is a perfect example of this. The Kebony clad exterior is a completely new design, featuring dramatic lines inspired by the Japanese art of origami. The Archive house is a stunning creative achievement that draws your gaze and holds it. 

2. A Countryside Retreat Reinvented 

A farmhouse seems anything but modern and aesthetic, yet AR Design Studio completely reinvented just how stunning a countryside home can be. The Farmer’s House is a complete remodel/overhaul of a home on a private estate. The architects kept the traditional geometry of a farmhouse but included contemporary architectural design elements like oversized picture windows and eco-friendly wood cladding. 

3. A Hidden Gem of a Bath House

Detached buildings are an opportunity to experiment with texture and visual design that you may not want on the full scale of your entire home. This bath house is a hidden gem, located in Norway, it blends in with its surrounding, however, its unique design prevents it from getting lost. The Kebony exterior and deck matches that of the accompanying home, but stands out with its horizontal, graduated stacking of boards.

4. A Charming Elevated Garden Hideaway 

A whimsical touch in the form of a copper turret and delightful cedar shakes makes this luxury treehouse a perfect addition to the Chelsea Flower Show. Up close you’ll notice exactly how much detail work has gone into its construction. Intricate ropework, beautiful copper finials and a professionally designed interior showcase just how much time has gone into perfecting this treehouse. A Kebony deck adds a finishing touch as well as a nod to environmental responsibility.

5. A Mixed Modern Villa

Breaking the mold, yet again, for what a traditional farmhouse should look like, is LINK Arkitektur who completed this stunning renovation on a rustic charmer. Designers added a gabled extension to this house as well as updated the entire home itself with modern glass and aluminum touches. The use of a naturally silver patinaed wood throughout the gable extension and home brings traditional warmth to a modern reno, making this house appealing to lovers of old and new alike.

7. A Hexad of Monofunctional Structures

Located on Norway’s Northern coastline is an artist retreat comprised of 6 single-function buildings, including a sleeping house, sauna, kitchen, bathhouse, studio and a tower. Each building is nearly identical in design – similar in shape and clad in Kebony wood. A unique innovative liberty was taken by customizing the wood cladding to create a fishscale pattern on some of the exterior walls. This retreat serves an oasis for those looking to escape the hecticness of city life and explore the limitless bounds of their creative mediums.

8. Function with a View

Combining architecture with environmentalism is more than a trend for many, it’s a way of life. This two-story Norwegian home combines a classic prefabricated look with large picture windows, allowing occupants a nearly full panoramic view of the property. This home is elegant and extremely attractive sure, but it also makes an impact with eco-friendly function and requiring very little maintenance.

9. A Smarter Approach to Waterside Wood Homes

Wood cladding is an appealing choice for waterside homes, as it plays on the beauty of the natural environment. However, many wood cladding choices may experience issues when in a high moisture area, which is why this particular home chose a smarter real wood solution. Modified wood, like Kebony, performs extremely well in waterside applications. With outstanding durability and water-resistant properties, modified wood provides the natural, cozy feel with a beauty that will last.

10. A Poolside Treehouse Complex for the Young and Young at Heart

There is something magical about a treehouse that speaks to the inner child of all adults as it does to actual children. Experts at tapping into this idea, Blue Forest, a luxury treehouse brand, created this unique project so aptly titled ‘At The Water’s Edge’. This project features a pool house that is anything but traditional along with individual treehouses connected with rope lined bridges and complete with rustic cargo nets. Kebony decking, with its sleek finish and excellent water-resistance, was chosen for both ground level decking as well as the elevated decks between each treehouse. This combination of structures is equally inviting to adults and children alike.

11. A Striking Island Getaway

Located on the island of Hvasser, in Norway, this vacation retreat offers family fun in a very well designed package. Built to maximize time spent outdoors, enjoy the gorgeous views from the rooftop terrace or spend time entertaining guests on one of two deck areas. This modern cabin displays the future of architecture while matching the natural feel of the island through the use of Kebony wood decking and cladding. 

12. An Innovative Family Home with Room for All

What was originally a rather dated 1950s style home, has since been remodeled and transformed into a modern 9,000 sq ft architectural masterpiece. While fairly simple in design, this home really plays up to organic architecture, with the use of Kebony wood decking and cladding as well as clear glass windows and railing to allow for an uninterrupted view of the grounds. White pebble dashing on the lower level also helps to connect the home to the earth in a subtle and natural way, grounding this artfully airy design.

13. A Mountain Home with Surprising Angles

There are no hard rules to architecture and playing with angles is often a creative route designers take. This interesting home gradually cuts in an angle after the first floor. Carefully placed windows allow for natural lighting while the angled face could be used for energy-efficiency. The Kebony siding doesn’t take away from the angled lines and ensures this mountain cabin will be a welcome shelter in the harshest winters.

14. A Sustainable Floating Villa

 

Waterfront properties have become more popular, and nothing is quite as impressive as an actual floating home. This Kebony-clad floating villa looks sleek and modern, offering a big visual change from the small floating shacks that are so commonly seen. This villa is sustainable and durable since the wood used is all eco-friendly and highly water-resistant. The white fiber cement siding really sets off the richness of the wood.

15. A Vertically Clad Minimalist Home

Horizontal cladding may be a traditional route, but going vertical is a unique and eye-catching choice. This home is clad in Kebony Clear siding vertically, which adds height to the building overall. As the siding naturally ages this structure will develop an attractive silver-gray finish that will make this home look even more stylish.

16. An Energy-Efficient Circular Home

So aptly named the Villa Circuitus, there is little that has to be said about why this home is stunning. Not only is this circular home the first circular passive house in Sweden, but it also boasts beautiful, rich Kebony siding and perfectly places pops of orange. The look-out tower that is the second story allows for incredible views while the solar panels on the deck railings and green roof hint at this being a green home. 

17. A Pair of Matching Beachside Homes

The silver patina of these perfectly weathered Kebony-clad pair of residences fits it immaculately with the surrounding seaside look of this property. The silver-gray wood makes it look like these homes have been here for decades, but the choice of Kebony ensures that wind, rain and moisture won’t degrade the siding. The monochromatic look and glass balcony railing add modernity. 

18. A Majestic Hiker’s Refuge 

Photo: Jan Inge Larsen

Hikers that scale the Okstindan Mountains will no doubt pause in awe at Rabothytta, a majestic house-like refuge located deep within these Norwegian mountains. Architects managed to combine contemporary and rustic designs, leaving this structure to be one of a kind. Being located in such harsh terrain designers knew that a material like Kebony was the ideal choice for the wood roof.

19. An Imposing Dark Guest House

Shou Sugi Ban is the practice of charring wood to make it more resilient. In return designers are left with a tougher wood that also has a deep, dark finish. This Colorado guest house is a perfect example of how dramatic and bold a dark shou sugi ban finish can be. Done on Kebony, this siding can take whatever weather this region cares to throw at it and won’t need any painting or staining to maintain its dark appeal.

20. A House That Brings the Outdoors In

The idea of bring the outdoor in (or vice versa) isn’t new, but this architectural masterpiece is one of few that really accomplishes this design style. The Wedge House is a contemporary home that comprised of two homes attached with an outdoor cover patio. This shared living area combines both homes and offers a comfortable covered outdoor space for family and friends to share.

21. A Statement Home in a Traditional Neighborhood

This contemporary statement home easily stands out in the traditional Norwegian neighborhood in which it’s located. The exterior is clad in character Kebony siding and roofing. The doorway is highlighted by a cut-in entryway painted a pretty burnt orange. Despite being a fairly simple home, the looks alone make the Garborgsveg home a surprisingly beautiful house. 

22. A Remarkable Example of Nordic Architecture  

The passive house idea, or the practice of designing buildings with sustainability in mind, is common in Nordic architecture. The Mesterfjellet School is not only designed for sustainability but it also exemplifies modern architecture. The use of wood throughout the building gives a warm and naturalness, while the Kebony siding with further help this building blend into the hillside as it ages to a silver tone. 

23. A Practical Cabin with Incredible Views

Cabin Ustaoset is a completely Kebony wood clad cabin, with the entire exterior and roof matching seamlessly. The design of this cabin perfectly showcases how a natural wood finish blends in well with the environment as well as how material choice affects the durability of the structure. This cozy cabin may be in a harsh climate but occupants will be comfortable and warm inside with an incredible view.

24. A House That Combines a Love of Nature and Geometry

This beautiful private home was custom designed by architects to reflect the owner’s love of tradition, geometry, and an appreciation for nature. A combination of natural Kebony wood, rich black shale, and modern stainless steel really make this home a treat for any lover of architecture.

25. Massive Yet Sleek Student Housing

Photo: Ivan Brodey

Student housing is not often considered in high regard, but that idea is completely changed with the Moholt 50/50 student housing buildings. These matching buildings are massive and tall, yet the use of Kebony wood keeps these buildings still feeling like a home. The careful placement of windows and the vertical placement of boards helps this building not only look immense, but also very sleek and modern.

26. Elegant Residential Housing Project

London is home to 27 Hurst Avenue, the location of a beautifully designed, elegant housing project. This projects consists of two houses identical to one another, but entirely clad in Kebony. The goal of this project, designed by Bliss, was to provide refreshing new living spaces. The use of Kebony helps achieve the goal of clean looking housing that still have a warm, homey touch to it.  

27. An Award-Winning Remodel of a Once Shabby Victorian

Victorian homes are stunning, without a doubt, but after years of neglect some homes need a complete overhaul. The Lateral House transformed a rundown Victorian into a simple stunning 5 bedroom family home, complete with a rooftop terrace and a garden. Kebony Clear cladding works perfectly to bring completeness to the existing home and the new addition.

28. A Research Center without the Institutional Look

This massive structure looks more like an apartment complex that a research center, but is in fact home to the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. The intricate design of the building focuses on subtly separating each section of the building based on use. Kebony is not only used for cladding and windows, but also within the building structure. The NINA building is impressive and even won a WAN Wood in Architecture award for its design.

29. Homes with a Clever and Sustainable Design

On Cinque Ports Street in Rye you’ll find a redevelopment location consisting of eye-catching, modern homes. This series of buildings focuses on striking look homes that immediately stand out due to their angular shape. Kebony cladding sets these homes apart from the surrounding neighborhood and also is a nod towards the local history of the town.

30. Modern Home Design Meets Ancient Japanese Technique

The Oak Hill house is an excellent example of how combining new and old designs can have incredibly results. The Kebony cladding of this house is not only laid diagonally, but also has been treated with Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese technique of charring wood carried over from ancient times. This leaves the building with a stunning smokey-gray weathered appearance, only made more interesting with the flat roofed, modern shape of the home.

31. A Perfect Touch of Darkness

Deep grays and black tones can work perfectly to bring modern drama to any home. This is shown perfectly with the Shou Sugi Ban Kebony clad extension on architect David Stanley’s home. This project not only highlights the incredible deep look that can be achieved with stronger charred Shou Sugi Ban, but also how an extension can completely transform an otherwise neutral looking home.

32. One Architect’s Spectacular Self-Build

Villa Sval is the breathtaking result of architect Henning Kongshavn Fronsdal’s self-build project. This structure is not only inspiring, but simple beautiful to look at. The use of a flat roof, angles and touches of color within structural beams is impressive to say the least. Not only did Fronsdal choose Kebony for the cladding, but also used this material for the decking, window frames and the exterior doors. 

33. A Hilltop Paradise in Oslo

This privately owned villa in Oslo is a piece of paradise, designed with 5 different terraces and complete with a pool. This home feels like it belongs in a tropical location, thanks to the impeccable landscaping and the use of natural Kebony siding. This house is able to not just feel like a home, but rather a private eden to relax or entertain.

34. The Roof With Wooden Waves

Onda is Spanish for wave, making it the perfect simple name for this Norwegian restaurant. Not only does this building feature a modern flat roof, but the roof siding themselves are curved into a wave shape. The use of wood gives a very organic feel, while the choice of Kebony wood ensured that the Onda building became even more stunning as the wood aged. This is a perfect example of a building or home design feature the immediately changes the overall feel of the structure.  

35. Next Generation Architecture Meets Classic Design

Treehouses have evolved from being a childhood hangout to impressive, modern structures that appeal to audiences of all ages. A perfect example of how versatile and extraordinary treehouses can be is the design of The Quiet Tree House. This free-standing treehouse looks almost futuristic in appearance, yet the wood exterior cladding adds a classic character that gives a sense of gravity to the design. The curved outer beams resemble a tree canopy, making it at one with its surrounding. This structure was designed by Blue Forest and is guaranteed to change the way many view elevated home design.

36. A Funkis Home Gone Passive

The passive house design was developed in Germany but remains common in Scandinavian architecture. This handsome 76 year old home was the designed with the classic Norwegian Funkis look, but was remodeled to fit the passive house ideals of greater energy efficiency and overall sustainability. 

Wood is one of the most versatile materials available, allowing for limitless imagination when it comes to how it can be manipulated. Whether you’re looking for custom fairytale-esque shingles or want an edgy, chic modern home, wood is an excellent choice as seen in these 36 incredible examples.