Rustic Exterior Home Ideas

If you have been searching for rustic exterior home ideas – this post will be a great starting point for design inspiration. Here I will be covering exterior design tips as well as providing images of beautifully designed homes.

The exterior of your home is the first thing that people see when they arrive and you want to ensure it makes a statement. The exterior of a rustic-style home typically takes its cue from nature through the use of natural and organic materials and the use of earth-tone shades.

Although there are countless possible exterior home design ideas to explore, there are several elements that one should consider.

1.  Mixing Wood & Stone

Stone and wood pair perfectly together to create a warm and inviting entrance. Stone is often used as an accent to enhance the warm wood tones of logs, wood panels, or shingle siding.

2.  Create Contrast 

Creating contrast provides the opportunity to make a clear distinction between the roof and the rest of the home. This can be achieved through the use of color – by pairing light-colored siding materials with a darker roof. Contrast can also be achieved through the use of complementary materials.

3.  Incorporate Plenty of Windows

Rustic homes are typically located in stunning locations with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape. Large, open windows provide natural sunlight to brighten the home as well as access to enjoy those views throughout the home.  

4.  Be Creative with Window Trim

Window trim can add a finishing touch to the exterior of a rustic home. It’s a small detail that can make the world of difference. There are three elements to consider when exploring window trim options:

• Window Trim Design: Lines, edges, shaping, and continuity with other architectural features are all things to look out for when considering different exterior window trim designs.
• Window Trim Color: While some homeowners like their exterior window trim, soffit, and front door to match perfectly, others like to take a more complementary approach by using the exterior window trim as an opportunity to create contrast with surrounding siding, doors, and other architectural features.
• Window Trim Type: This can be measured up by material choice. While vinyl and wood are classic favorites, alternative approaches to exterior window trim styles, like stone, are also available.

5.  Consider Adding Unique Doors

Curb appeal can be dramatically increased by incorporating unique doors to act as a focal point. Doors can be painted in bright contrasting colors to add character, or you can opt for neutral colors with unique architectural elements such as wood or iron.

6.  Contrasting Garage Doors

Garage doors with architectural detailing such as windows and panels instantly boost curb appeal. Be sure to view your garage doors as an important design element, whether they are added to provide complementary and additional texture or by painting them a contrasting color to the rest of the home.

7.  Include Additional Exterior Design Features

Outdoor architectural elements to consider when designing the exterior of a rustic home are decks, porches, balconies, verandas, and patios.

8.  Sharp Rooflines

Sharp, angular rooflines work to create a look that helps homes stand out from the rest as well as to prevent snow from piling up and adding weight to the home in cooler locations.

Here are a few stunning rustic home exterior ideas from top rustic home designers:

Tumble Creek Lodge & Lagoon
Image courtesy of: Brian Hopper

Over 100 trees imported from British Columbia went into the making of the Tumble Creek Lodge. The Tumble Creek Lodge and lagoon waterfalls are custom designed to mimic the surrounding mountainous terrain, the result of which is a creative, naturalistic approach to a swimming area. Set against massive, perfectly placed boulders, the stream constantly flows, cascading into a remarkable 15’ waterfall. The lagoon is fed by two creeks; one runs under the breezeway, and the other starts by the fireside gathering area, feeding into the waterfalls. Nature is infused throughout the home, from the knotty pine and stone exterior with carved entry doors to the ease of movement between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Classic Lodgepole Pine Full-Scribe Montana Log Home
Photo courtesy of: Zillow

This majestic lodgepole pine, full-scribe log home is located in Steamboat Streams, CO and sold for $1.9 M. It has a total of 3,794 sq.ft. of living space with  5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The Great Room gives you a true mountain lodge feeling. The Master Suite is just off of the Great Room with a beautiful view into the forest. Decks afford provide views of the ski area up to the Gondola Thunderhead Lodge.

Burr Ridge Residence Designed by Stillwater Architecture
Image courtesy of: Stillwater Architecture

The front entry of a western rustic home showing stone support columns supporting timber beams and roof trusses.

Rustic Home Exterior – Big Sky Montana
Image courtesy of: Centre Sky Architecture

This residential home is located with in the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club of Big Sky, Montana, in a ski in/ski out neighborhood near Big Sky Ski Resort. Centre Sky Architecture teamed up with Lone Pine Builders and Melanie Turner Interiors to create this custom residential home.

Rustic Home Exterior – Truckee, California
Image courtesy of: Kelly & Stone Architects

This rustic mountain retreat was designed by Kelly & Stone Architects in collaboration with Sarah Jones Interiors, located in the private community of Martis Camp, in Truckee, California. From the exterior, you can see a retracted glass wall in living room, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. This multi-generational family home features a traditional Tahoe lodge design with contemporary elements. On the main level, a large gabled great room with heavy timber trusses functions as a gathering space for the extended family.  A double-deep garage at the base of the house provides generous space for storing snowmobiles, bikes and other recreational gear.

A Stunning Rustic Home Designed by Locati Architects
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

Tumble Creek Lodge & Lagoon
Image courtesy of: Brian Hopper

A Majestic Log Home Built by Locati
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

Mountain Style Two-Story Exterior Home Design
Image courtesy of: Houzz

A mountain style home designed by Luna Design Group in Boston with a shingle roof.

A Majestic Handcrafted Log Home in BC
Image courtesy of: Luxury Homes

There is no better way of getting in touch with the beauty of British Columbia than living in this gorgeously designed log home. This magnificent five bedroom, 4,500 square foot masterpiece is truly one of a kind, as it perfectly balances the tranquility of British Columbian wilderness with the elegance of a luxury home.

This 3.75 acre property is situated amid a peninsula with Southeast exposures, giving way for the most spectacular waterfront panoramas. As this residence is located among the pristine scenery of Williams Lake, the open floor plans impeccably utilize the daylight that sprawls through the entire property, keeping it brightly and naturally lit. The open living-areas are crafted with a flawless combination of timber, copper and stone, providing a sense of rustic modernity. This home also offers a lovely gourmet kitchen boasting large countertops and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and a breakfast nook. This home also features a timber shop, boathouse, chicken coop and greenhouse.  It was built by the craftsmanship of Pioneer Log Homes, a firm from Williams Lake, which was featured in the well-known HGTV reality television show Timber Kings!

Rustic Home Exterior – Truckee, California
Image courtesy of: Kelly & Stone Architects

Rustic Home Exterior – Locati Architects
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

Rustic Home Exterior – Locati Architects
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

Rustic Home Exterior – Locati Architects
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

Rustic Home Exterior – Locati Architects
Image courtesy of: Locati Architects

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