16+ Charming Colonial House Exterior Ideas

Colonial houses have a charm that’s both timeless and welcoming, making them a beloved architectural style across America. If you’re dreaming of sprucing up your colonial home’s exterior, I’ve gathered some delightful ideas to inspire your next project.

1. Charming Pathways

Create an inviting entrance with charming pathways.
Create an inviting entrance with charming pathways.

Lay down a brick or stone pathway leading to your front door for an inviting entrance. It’s a simple project I tackled last spring and it transformed my garden’s entrance.

Useful items to consider:

  • Brick Pathway Kits: Lay a durable and classic brick pathway for an inviting entrance to your colonial home.
  • Stone Pavers: Enhance your garden entrance with elegant stone pavers for a timeless look and feel.
  • Garden Edging Stones: Create clean edges for your pathway using versatile garden edging stones for a polished finish.

2. Symmetrical Facades

Achieve a harmonious look with a symmetrical facade.
Achieve a harmonious look with a symmetrical facade.

Symmetry is the hallmark of a colonial home, giving it that classic, balanced look. I’ve always found that aligning windows and doors perfectly can transform any facade into a picture of grace.

You might give these a try:

  • Colonial Style Shutters: Enhance your home’s symmetry with these elegant shutters for a classic colonial appearance.
  • Traditional Front Door: Add a touch of timeless elegance to your facade with a classic colonial front door.
  • Exterior Sconce Lighting: Illuminate your colonial home with stylish sconce lights, adding charm and balance to the facade.

3. Unique Door Colors

Welcome guests with a front door in a bold color.
Welcome guests with a front door in a bold color.

Paint your front door a bold color for a cheerful pop that welcomes guests. I chose a sunny yellow for mine, and it never fails to make me smile.

A few things you might like:

  • Exterior Door Paint: Transform your entrance with vibrant exterior door paint for a welcoming and cheerful touch.
  • Decorative Door Knocker: Add charm with a decorative door knocker, enhancing your door’s unique appeal.
  • Weatherproof Door Mat: Complement your door color with a stylish, weatherproof mat for a cohesive entrance look.

4. Portico Entry

Add grandeur and shelter with a portico entry.
Add grandeur and shelter with a portico entry.

A portico can add a touch of grandeur and protection from the elements. I added one to my garden studio, and it’s become the favorite spot to watch summer storms.

These products might help:

  • Classic White Porch Columns: Enhance your portico with elegant columns for timeless sophistication and sturdy support.
  • Outdoor Weatherproof Seating: Create a cozy space with durable weatherproof seating, perfect for enjoying summer storms.
  • Chic Outdoor Lighting Fixtures: Illuminate your portico beautifully with stylish fixtures, adding safety and ambiance to your entryway.

5. Landscaping with Native Plants

Boost curb appeal with native and easy-care landscaping.
Boost curb appeal with native and easy-care landscaping.

Enhance your curb appeal with native plants that thrive in your area. I’ve found that they not only look beautiful but are also easy to maintain.

A few suggestions:

  • Native Plant Seed Mix: Transform your garden with a diverse array of native plants, enhancing beauty and biodiversity.
  • Garden Soil for Native Plants: Optimize plant health with soil designed to nourish native flora in your garden.
  • Decorative Garden Edging: Define your landscape elegantly with durable edging that complements native plant arrangements.

6. Neutral Color Palette

Create a timeless look with a neutral color palette.
Create a timeless look with a neutral color palette.

Opt for a neutral palette with soft whites and grays to keep things timeless. I painted my garden studio in such tones, and it feels cozy and inviting.

A few helpful options:

  • Exterior Paint in Soft White: Refresh your colonial home’s look with this timeless soft white exterior paint for elegance.
  • Gray Shingle Siding: Elevate your home’s facade with durable gray shingle siding for a classic, inviting appearance.
  • Outdoor Colonial Style Wall Lantern: Enhance your entryway with these colonial style wall lanterns for a warm, welcoming glow.

7. Brick and Siding Mix

Blend materials for a textured and classic look.
Blend materials for a textured and classic look.

A blend of brick and siding can add texture and depth to your home’s exterior. It’s an idea I’m toying with for my own future renovations.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Exterior Brick Sealer: Protect your brickwork from weathering with a high-quality sealer. Enhance durability and appearance today.
  • Vinyl Siding Panels: Transform your home’s facade with durable vinyl siding. Enjoy low maintenance and classic appeal.
  • Exterior Trim and Molding: Add refined details to your home’s exterior with exquisite trim and molding options. Elevate curb appeal.

8. Lush Window Boxes

Add life and color with lush window boxes.
Add life and color with lush window boxes.

Install window boxes filled with seasonal blooms for year-round color. They’re a favorite project of mine, perfect for adding life to any facade.

A few choices to try:

  • Decorative Wooden Window Boxes: Enhance your home’s charm with elegant, durable window boxes perfect for vibrant flowers.
  • Self-Watering Window Planters: Maintain your blooms effortlessly with self-watering planters that sustain plants with minimal effort.
  • Outdoor Window Box Liners: Protect your window boxes with moisture-resistant liners for extended bloom freshness and easier maintenance.

9. Mixed Roof Materials

Combine materials for a roof with visual interest.
Combine materials for a roof with visual interest.

Experiment with mixed roof materials like shingles and tiles for visual interest. It’s an idea I’ve seen in newer builds that looks both traditional and innovative.

Check these products out:

  • Decorative Roof Shingles: Enhance your exterior with decorative roof shingles for a traditional and innovative look.
  • Clay Roof Tiles: Add elegance and durability with clay roof tiles to elevate your home’s appearance.
  • Composite Roof Shingles: Choose composite roof shingles for a modern twist, combining aesthetics with long-lasting performance.

10. Windows with Grids

Add historical charm with small-paned windows.
Add historical charm with small-paned windows.

Install small-paned windows with grids for that extra touch of historical charm. I’ve always loved how they add character to any room.

Give these a look:

  • Double Hung Small-Paned Windows: Enhance your home’s charm with these elegant small-paned windows featuring traditional grid designs.
  • Window Grid Retrofitting Kit: Add historical appeal to existing windows with this easy-to-install grid retrofitting kit.
  • Colonial Style Shutters: Complement your grid windows with these classic colonial style shutters for a complete look.

11. Inviting Entryways

Make a statement with a grand and inviting entryway.
Make a statement with a grand and inviting entryway.

Create a warm welcome with a grand entryway featuring a prominent door flanked by decorative sidelights. A few years back, I enhanced my own entry with a splash of color and it made all the difference!

These products might be useful:

  • Decorative Sidelights: Enhance your entryway with elegant sidelights to brighten and invite sophistication effortlessly.
  • Outdoor Planters: Frame your grand entryway with stylish planters to add natural charm and vibrant appeal.
  • Vintage Porch Light Fixtures: Illuminate your entrance with classic porch lights for a timeless and welcoming glow.

12. Classic Columns

Enhance the colonial charm with classic porch columns.
Enhance the colonial charm with classic porch columns.

Adding columns to your porch can elevate the traditional colonial aesthetic. I remember how a neighbor’s house transformed dramatically with just a few elegant columns.

Might be a good match:

  • Decorative Porch Columns: Enhance your porch with decorative columns for a timeless colonial look. Increase your home’s curb appeal.
  • Column Wrap Kits: Transform existing structures with column wrap kits for an elegant and finished colonial style.
  • Fiberglass Exterior Columns: Choose durable fiberglass columns for classic elegance that withstands the elements and enhances charm.

13. Gabled Roofs

Enhance your colonial home's elegance with a gabled roof.
Enhance your colonial home’s elegance with a gabled roof.

Consider a gabled roof to enhance that traditional colonial vibe. My friend’s home looks poised and elegant with its newly added gables.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Decorative Roof Gables: Upgrade your colonial house with decorative roof gables for an elegant traditional look.
  • Exterior House Trim Kits: Add character to your gabled roof with easy-to-install exterior house trim kits.
  • Colonial Style Shutters: Enhance your colonial home’s charm by adding classic colonial style shutters to your windows.

14. Copper Accents

Infuse warmth and sophistication with copper accents.
Infuse warmth and sophistication with copper accents.

Use copper accents like gutters or lanterns to add warmth and sophistication. I’ve always been drawn to how they develop a beautiful patina over time.

Consider these options:

  • Copper Gutters and Downspouts: Enhance curb appeal with copper gutters; enjoy their charm as they age into a beautiful patina.
  • Copper Outdoor Wall Lanterns: Illuminate your entryway with copper lanterns, adding elegance and vintage charm to your home exterior.
  • Copper Weathervane: Top off your home with a stylish copper weathervane, blending function with timeless aesthetics.

15. Charming Shutters

Add charm with decorative shutters on your windows.
Add charm with decorative shutters on your windows.

Decorative shutters add a quaint touch and a pop of color to your windows. I love how they frame the house, just like a picture!

Possibly handy products:

  • Decorative Wooden Shutters: Enhance your home’s curb appeal with beautifully crafted wooden shutters. Add a timeless touch today.
  • Paintable Vinyl Shutters: Customize your home’s facade with durable, paintable vinyl shutters. Create a personalized look easily.
  • Rustic Louvered Shutters: Achieve a rustic charm with louvered shutters. Perfect for adding texture and style to windows.

16. Arch Doorways

Add elegance with arched doorways.
Add elegance with arched doorways.

Consider arched doorways for a touch of European elegance. I’ve always admired how they add an architectural flair to colonial homes.

Explore these options:

  • Decorative Archway Molding Kit: Transform your entrance with this elegant molding kit, adding charm and sophistication instantly.
  • Pre-Hung Arched Door: Upgrade your home with a pre-hung arched door for timeless European elegance and style.
  • Arched Doorway Conversion Kit: Easily convert flat doorways to arches, enhancing architectural flair with minimal effort.

Text: Ashley