Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage white two-story wood exterior home remodel in Nashville

Example of a mid-sized farmhouse white two-story wood gable roof design in Nashville with a white roof

Courtesy Coastal Living, a division of Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, photograph by Jean Allsopp. Coastal Living is a registered trademark and used with permission.

This single door entry is showcased with one French Quarter Yoke Hanger creating a striking focal point. The guiding gas lantern leads to the front door and a quaint sitting area, perfect for relaxing and watching the sunsets. Featured Lantern: French Quarter Yoke Hanger http://ow.ly/Ppp530nBxAx View the project by Willow Homes http://ow.ly/4amp30nBxte

Troy Thies Photography
Cottage porch photo in Minneapolis with decking

Rob Karosis
This is an example of a traditional porch design in New York with a roof extension.

The best of past and present architectural styles combine in this welcoming, farmhouse-inspired design. Clad in low-maintenance siding, the distinctive exterior has plenty of street appeal, with its columned porch, multiple gables, shutters and interesting roof lines. Other exterior highlights included trusses over the garage doors, horizontal lap siding and brick and stone accents. The interior is equally impressive, with an open floor plan that accommodates today’s family and modern lifestyles. An eight-foot covered porch leads into a large foyer and a powder room. Beyond, the spacious first floor includes more than 2,000 square feet, with one side dominated by public spaces that include a large open living room, centrally located kitchen with a large island that seats six and a u-shaped counter plan, formal dining area that seats eight for holidays and special occasions and a convenient laundry and mud room. The left side of the floor plan contains the serene master suite, with an oversized master bath, large walk-in closet and 16 by 18-foot master bedroom that includes a large picture window that lets in maximum light and is perfect for capturing nearby views. Relax with a cup of morning coffee or an evening cocktail on the nearby covered patio, which can be accessed from both the living room and the master bedroom. Upstairs, an additional 900 square feet includes two 11 by 14-foot upper bedrooms with bath and closet and a an approximately 700 square foot guest suite over the garage that includes a relaxing sitting area, galley kitchen and bath, perfect for guests or in-laws.

The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

Lake Front Country Estate Entry Porch, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling
Single front door - huge traditional single front door idea with a medium wood front door

This is an example of a cottage porch design in San Francisco with a pergola.

Courtesy Coastal Living, a division of Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, photograph by Jean Allsopp. Coastal Living is a registered trademark and used with permission.

Jonathan Reece
Mid-sized mountain style backyard medium tone wood floor and brown floor sunroom photo in Portland Maine with a roof extension and a standard ceiling

Art Gray
Mountain style dark wood floor and screened-in porch idea in Austin

Inspiration for a timeless two-story wood exterior home remodel in Minneapolis

Fine Focus Photography
Transitional screened-in back porch idea in Austin with a roof extension

Outdoor Movie area
Trendy deck photo in Los Angeles

The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

This is an example of a transitional screened-in back porch design in Minneapolis with decking and a roof extension.

This transitional timber frame home features a wrap-around porch designed to take advantage of its lakeside setting and mountain views. Natural stone, including river rock, granite and Tennessee field stone, is combined with wavy edge siding and a cedar shingle roof to marry the exterior of the home with it surroundings. Casually elegant interiors flow into generous outdoor living spaces that highlight natural materials and create a connection between the indoors and outdoors. Photography Credit: Rebecca Lehde, Inspiro 8 Studios