11 House Siding Ideas for Better Curb Appeal

There’s a good chance you spend more time looking at (and worrying about) your home’s interior walls than you do the exterior. But taking a good hard look at your home’s siding can reveal a lot about how its curb appeal could be improved.

From wood siding to stucco, there is no single answer for what makes a home exterior beautiful. Only you — or, perhaps, a professional contractor — can decide which material and finish will best suit your property.

Looking to make your home stand out from the neighbors’? Or interested in boosting curb appeal before listing on the real estate market? Keep reading for the best house siding ideas we could find!

1. Board and Batten

Board and batten siding is just one of many trends seeing a resurgence thanks to the popularity of farmhouse-inspired design. While this wooden siding option first emerged almost 200 years ago, it’s managed to become one of the most popular styles today!

White modern farmhouse with black-framed windows and fresh landscaping using board and batten siding. — Source: @alisonwhitehomes via Instagram

Light gray board and batten siding on a two-story home with black windows and natural wood porch accents. — Source: @at_home_with_the_hollands via Instagram

Clean white exterior with vertical board and batten siding and black awning accents on windows and doors. — Source: @coffeecustomhomebuilders via Instagram

Light beige board and batten siding with black trim windows on a gable-front home under construction. — Source: @dsgnbylonitalley via Instagram

Dark board and batten siding with a bold yellow door on a large contemporary farmhouse in a wooded area. — Source: @hayesbartonhomes via Instagram

White board and batten farmhouse with wood double doors and brick porch base, partially under construction. — Source: @pinyanfarmhouse via Instagram

Cream board and batten siding on a cozy front porch with rocking chairs, brick steps, and greenery. — Source: @southernsurroundings via Instagram

Long covered porch with white board and batten siding, wood ceiling, and black window and lighting accents. — Source: @squiresfarmhouseliving via Instagram

Clean board and batten siding with black framed windows, lantern lights, and wood soffit detail. — Source: @triplecfarmhouse via Instagram

Neutral board and batten siding with taupe front door, greenery in urn planters, layered doormats, and a monogram wreath. — Source: @southernsurroundings via Instagram

Board and batten siding features alternating wide panels connected by thin planks. The exact size and shape of these wooden pieces can be adjusted to create a specific aesthetic. As a general rule, wider pieces give off a more modern air.

You don’t have to commit to board and batten siding for your home’s entire exterior. This pattern can be used as an accent in combination with more traditional horizontal siding.

2. Bricks

Depending on where you live, brick siding could be the norm or an extremely rare sight. There are some drawbacks to using solid brick for home construction. But the aesthetic is certainly not one of them.

Cream brick siding with white trim, arched glass panel front door, and classic lantern light by the entrance. — Source: @ania.j__ via Instagram

Craftsman-style home with a mix of white brick, stone accents, and wood shutters on upper-level windows. — Source: @bcr_spaces via Instagram

Bold brick facade with vertical accents, decorative ironwork windows, and geometric design elements. — Source: @khakabnama via Instagram

Modern brick siding with natural tones, flat roof design, and a wooden front door with black trim. — Source: @r_r_house via Instagram

Brick works great as whole-home siding. It also pairs beautifully with other materials — consider using brick to make your home’s more unique architectural features stand out.

Good news: It’s possible to give almost any home a brick facade. A thin brick veneer can be applied in place of vinyl or wood siding to recreate this classic finish without the expense or labor.

3. Metal Siding

Metal siding is more expensive than alternatives like vinyl. But it’s a worthwhile investment for any homeowner looking for a siding material that will last for decades (or longer).

Contemporary home with light stone siding on the lower level and dark gray metal panels on the upper floor. — Source: @csi_allthingsstone via Instagram

Sleek black vertical metal siding with large black-framed windows and a white modern front door. — Source: @highcottonhomes via Instagram

Two-story modern home with mixed materials—gray panels, wood siding, and snow-covered ground. — Source: @highenddesign2011 via Instagram

Compact black metal home with white door, small porch, and natural wood stairs on a raised platform. — Source: @proroofs via Instagram

Dark vertical metal siding with modern black windows and steep roof, set in a lush garden landscape. — Source: @serenberealestate via Instagram

Many different metals can be used to create house siding. Steel siding is one of the most popular materials of today. Meanwhile, aluminum siding is commonly seen in homes from the mid 20th century.

Regardless of the type of metal you choose, you’ll have no problem finding a color, style, and finish you enjoy. After all, metal’s most valuable traits are its versatility and durability!

4. Mixed Styles or Materials

It’s rare to see a contemporary home with just one siding material. Combining different materials has become a popular way to emphasize architecture and boost curb appeal.

White brick home with black accents and board and batten siding on the second floor. — Source: @bookgirlcreations via Instagram

Craftsman-style home with taupe vertical siding, stone facade, and neatly landscaped front yard. — Source: @daleratzlaffdevelopments via Instagram

White board and batten home decorated for the holidays with wreaths and garlands in the snow. — Source: @gallagherboyfarm via Instagram

Two-tone farmhouse with light beige vertical siding, white brick, and a welcoming front porch. — Source: @hayesbartonhomes via Instagram

Blue horizontal siding with stone wainscoting and white trim around the windows and roofline. — Source: @myhumblehearth via Instagram

Warm-toned exterior with beige siding, board and batten gables, and wood accents for a cozy craftsman look. — Source: @newoldcustomhomes via Instagram

Transitional home with horizontal white siding, board and batten lower section, and black columns on porch. — Source: @sweetriverdesigns via Instagram

Tall modern farmhouse with white siding, gray accent paneling, and large gridded windows. — Source: @hayesbartonhomes via Instagram

Stone veneer is a great complement to horizontal lap siding. Board and batten panels can give a home a more rustic appearance — pair real wood siding with brick or vinyl for greater longevity.

Mixing and matching siding materials can also be a wonderful way to stay within a tight budget. This strategy allows you to include more expensive materials without committing to covering your entire home.

5. Modern Style

Most people know a modern home when they see one. But what makes modern-style exterior siding different from any other trend?

Backyard view of a modern home with dark vertical siding, white stone accent, and poolside seating. — Source: @alisonwhitehomes via Instagram

Sleek modern home with dark brick, wood cladding, and large black-framed windows for a bold contrast. — Source: @epicdesignsinc_ via Instagram

The reason this question is so hard to answer is that modern homes utilize all types of siding. The one style you won’t often see on a modern home is conventional vinyl siding.

Instead, modern architecture is defined by mixing contrasting materials and finishes to emphasize the home’s overall shapes and angles. Many modern homes combine natural and synthetic siding to maximize this contrast.

6. Rustic

One of the best ways to give your home’s facade a rustic aesthetic is to throw perfection to the wind. This does not mean sacrificing efficiency or longevity! Instead, look for ways to create natural variation using top-quality materials.

Rustic wood siding on a small A-frame house with snow-covered yard and weathered exterior. — Source: @sterjackre via Instagram

Aged horizontal wood siding with distressed shutters and overgrown cottage garden in front. — Source: @thelandgallivanter via Instagram

Cedar shake siding is a wonderful option for recreating the look of a timber wood lodge or cabin. As long as you understand the required upkeep, natural wood siding is a great investment.

Engineered wood siding is a more affordable alternative to real wood. Despite the lower price point, the final look is pretty much identical (only an expert will know the difference at a glance). Plus, high-quality engineered wood siding is often more durable and lower-maintenance than the real thing.

7. Shingle Siding

Shingle siding is a popular choice for homes styled after Victorian, Tudor, and other historic architectural trends. It’s also a wonderful way to give a modern home a unique touch.

Two-story home with a mix of red cedar shingles, brick, and white siding under a leafy tree. — Source: @annahorntumas via Instagram

Close-up of staggered cedar shingles in natural wood tones with varied depth and texture. — Source: @at6db via Instagram

Natural cedar shingles with black trim and door, flanked by two modern outdoor lights. — Source: @eversolehouse via Instagram

White shingle siding with black window frames on a modern gabled house exterior. — Source: @foreverhomeatthefarm via Instagram

Bright green wood shingles with black shutters and white window trim for a bold, playful facade. — Source: @maggiemaclala via Instagram

Earth-toned horizontal shingle siding with white trim on a mid-century modern home. — Source: @rmruhl via Instagram

Classic grey shingle siding with white trim and multiple gables on a two-story traditional home. — Source: @sbccedar via Instagram

Shingle siding can be made with a wide range of materials. Cedar shake shingles are the most ubiquitous. But vinyl, engineered wood, and fiber cement shingles are also viable options.

And it should come as no surprise that you can recreate the look of individual shingles with convenient panels! This is the perfect solution for any homeowner who has fallen in love with a traditional shingle finish but doesn’t want to deal with installation and upkeep.

8. Shou Sugi Ban

Shou sugi ban siding is created using a Japanese technique that preserves wood panels using fire. The charring process darkens the wood and can even make the existing grain more pronounced.

Close-up of a dark Shou Sugi Ban wood siding with modern numbers and brushed metal light fixture. — Source: @hanseichdesign via Instagram

Contemporary home with dark vertical Shou Sugi Ban siding set among snowy pine trees. — Source: @suntan_wood via Instagram

Shou sugi ban siding is a unique alternative to other natural wood materials. It works particularly well with modern architecture. This material can be used to cover your entire home’s exterior or as an accent finish.

Along with boasting a bold aesthetic, Shou sugi ban is also more durable than non-charred wood. This material will stand up well to UV damage, pests, water, and rot.

9. Stone

Stone siding creates a timeless atmosphere that can make the newest construction feel like a historic estate. And there’s no shortage of colors, shapes, and textures to choose from.

Large two-story home with full stone siding, symmetrical windows, and grand entrance columns. — Source: @legendexteriors via Instagram

Rustic home exterior with rough-cut stone cladding and white trim, surrounded by lush greenery. — Source: @therealaustinb_ via Instagram

Stacked stone panels can be used to give any style of home a fresh look. While harder to work with, stucco is another popular material that offers the same aesthetic as natural stone.

Pair stone veneer with stucco for a Mediterranean aesthetic. Stone veneer can also be used to trim vinyl or fiber cement lap siding.

10. Unique

Home exterior trends can vary greatly based on geographic location. But some styles are sure to make your home stand out from the rest of the neighborhood no matter where you live.

Whimsical yellow Victorian house with colorful trim and scalloped shingles in green and blue. — Source: @anne__archie via Instagram

Mediterranean-style home with cream stucco siding, red tile roof, and bold red front door. — Source: @charmingaustintexas via Instagram

Modern home with mixed metal siding in vertical and horizontal ridges, accented with orange panels. — Source: @domtek_building_products via Instagram

Luxurious villa with beige stone siding, arched windows, and symmetrical palm trees flanking the entrance. — Source: @edificacionesespontas via Instagram

Charming cottage-style entry with wavy-edge siding and a cheerful aqua front door. — Source: @jtaylor.decor via Instagram

If you look at vintage architecture for house siding ideas, you’re sure to notice a host of unique color combinations and patterns. These seemingly small details can transform your home’s exterior without any physical changes.

Unique siding is not reserved for home trends of old. Many contemporary abodes feature interesting materials like smooth concrete, glass sheets, and textured panels.

11. Wood

There are countless innovative siding materials on the market today. But sometimes the tried-and-true option is also the best.

Cozy porch with dark wood siding, stone column, and a pastel pink front door with modern decor. — Source: @alietatreasurehunting via Instagram

Contemporary home with bold curves and warm wood siding wrapping around large, modern windows. — Source: @cedarcountrylumber via Instagram

Tiny house on wheels with vertical red siding, wood accents, and a green door on a small wooden deck. — Source: @justbtinyhouse via Instagram

Traditional white colonial-style house with symmetrical black shutters and clean landscaping. — Source: @mybestfriendcraig via Instagram

Sleek wood siding with a cantilevered roof above a small modern reflecting pool in a scenic setting. — Source: @parcostudio via Instagram

Farmhouse-style home with white horizontal and vertical siding, brick base, and wooden columns. — Source: @thegroenstead via Instagram

Commercial or residential modern structure with rich vertical wood siding and large glass walls. — Source: @woodhaveninc via Instagram

Much of the appeal of wood siding comes from its unique appearance. Few, if any, synthetic materials can mimic the look of cedar shingles and other types of wood siding.

On the other hand, wood siding is one of the easiest materials to update with paint or stain. Other materials often need to be completely replaced if you want to give your home’s exterior a fresh look.

What is the most popular house siding color?

You can’t go wrong with a neutral shade for your home’s exterior. While warm-toned neutrals were popular just a few decades ago, cool-toned neutrals are now the trendy choice.

Blue siding is very popular right now. Blue house siding ideas can range from dark navy to robin’s egg. You can also opt for a grey-leaning blue shade for a more neutral take on this trend.

White and black are two more great siding colors that will give any home a contemporary look.

Is insulated siding worth it?

If you’re already in the market for new home siding, it might be a good idea to invest in insulated vinyl siding. This vinyl siding offers an extra level of protection between your home’s interior and the outside elements. It can reduce energy costs from heating and cooling and help prevent impact damage.

What is fiber cement siding?

Fiber cement is a popular alternative to vinyl lap siding made of cement and cellulose fibers. Fiber cement siding is very similar to vinyl in terms of installation and appearance. However, it is more durable and requires less maintenance than most other types of siding.