When you’re thinking of siding replacement for your home, it can be difficult to know which way to go. But if you live in a classic architectural design, finding a beautiful color combination could be as simple as looking up old pictures of your neighborhood!
At Window World Twin Cities, we know there’s nothing quite as charming as a beautiful older home, and your siding design and color should capture that charm as well. In this post, we’re sharing some of the most popular siding combinations for some of those classic home designs. Check out this guide and then give us a call to discuss siding installation options for your Twin Cities home today!
Victorian Homes
Few architectural designs are as recognizable as homes from the Victorian era, as these homes are identifiable by their ornate exteriors. Due to the length of Queen Victoria’s reign, this can include homes built anywhere from the mid-1850s to about 1901. Unlike many other architectural designs, Victorian architecture encompasses a wide range of styles.
Technically predating Victoria’s reign and dating all the way back to the mid-1700s, Victorian Gothic homes embody the quintessential spooky fairy tale Victorian design. This style emerged in England as a revival of medieval architecture with all of its romantic trappings. And in the United States, this style would evolve into Carpenter Gothic, a simplified, mass-produced housing style. Using scroll saws and other modern equipment, carpenters built homes that heavily borrowed Gothic details like ornamental trim and carved porch railings.
Another popular Victorian design is the Queen Anne home. The Queen Anne design is the style most people associate with Victorian home designs, complete with the intricate details and overall storybook appearance.
These are some of the most recognizable characteristics of a Victorian home design:
● Intricate molding and barge boards
● Elaborate wood trim
● Pointed cathedral doors and windows
● Board and batten siding
● Curved porch rails
● Heavy molding
● Lancet windows
● Stained glass windows
● Steep roof pitches
● Date stones
● Carved kneelers
● Wide porches
● Coped gables
● Finials
● Turrets
● Bay windows
● Decorative trusses
● Patterned bricks
● Animal carvings
● Gargoyles
Because Victorian and Edwardian homes are all about details, they look absolutely stunning when plenty of bright, contrasting colors are used for the siding. When it comes to Victorian siding, just about anything goes, but these are just a few examples of gorgeous siding combos that look fantastic:
● Yellow with white trim and black shutters
● Pale gray with white trim and black window frames and door
● Buttercream with deep forest and merlot trim and scrollwork
● Two shades of light purple with white trim
● Two shades of light green with white trim
Craftsman Homes
Even if you don’t know much about architecture, there’s a good chance you can recognize a Craftsman when you see one. Craftsman homes are one of the most easily recognizable styles of American homes. They offer a unique look and floor plan that is just as coveted today as it was 100 years ago when the style was brand new.
Craftsman homes were first created around the beginning of the 20th century. The ornate and highly refined styles of the Victorian era had grown tiresome, and people were tired of mass production with the Industrial Revolution in full swing. The Craftsman style revolted against these trappings with simple comforts and handcrafted details to create a homey, affordable living space for the average American family.
These are a few defining features you might see on a Craftsman home:
● Large tapered columns supporting a wide covered front porch, perfect for sitting and watching the world go by
● Multi-paned windows with wide molding
● Large windows throughout the home
● Exposed beams under overhanging eaves
● A simple, open floor plan with easy access throughout
● Custom handcrafted features like window seats and built-in shelving and cabinetry
● Brick, stone, and wood throughout the home
● A living room fireplace
Today, younger homeowners are once more gravitating toward the simple charm of Craftsman homes, embracing the natural details and practical layouts. Many homeowners and design experts prefer to pair the natural materials and simplicity of Craftsman homes with nature-inspired siding colors.
Earthy neutrals like soft browns, greens, and beiges are the most popular siding choice for Craftsman bungalows. For the trim, white is the most popular choice. However, it is not uncommon to see a contrasting pop of color as a second accent color.
Check out these great siding ideas for Craftsman homes:
● Sage green siding with white trim and an espresso entry door
● Pale coastal blue with beige and white trim and salmon accents
● Warm sandy beige with white trim and a black entry door
● White siding with pale beige trim and a black entry door
● Two-toned green siding with white and espresso trim
Cape Cod Homes
Cape Cods are another quintessentially American home design. With their gabled roofs, central chimneys, and practical designs, Cape Cods have earned their reputation as a classic American cottage design. Cape Cods originated in New England around the 17th century in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where they were built by Puritan colonists as a stripped-down version of English homes. These classic homes enjoyed a brief revival in the mid-20th century.
Here are a few defining features of Cape Cod homes:
● Pitched gable roofs
● Simple, symmetrical designs
● Central door flanked by windows on either side
● Very little ornamentation
Today, the most popular colors for Cape Cods include beachy New England hues like ocean blues, sandy beiges, and whites.
Check out these ideas for Cape Cod siding combinations:
● Two-toned Colonial blue and white with white trim
● Butter yellow with white trim
● Gray with white trim and black shutters
● Beige with white trim and a deep orange entry door
Colonial and Neo-Colonial Homes
About a century after the Cape Cod was first built, European settlers popularized the Colonial style. Colonial homes are a more formal design than their earlier Cape Cod counterparts. When most people think of Colonial designs, they’re usually referring to Georgian Colonial architecture or modern homes built in the same style.
These features can be found in traditional Georgian homes:
● Centered front door with a rectangular transom window
● Decorative moldings
● Symmetrical multi-pane windows
● Side-gabled roofs
● Formal living room
● Formal dining room
● Bedrooms on the second floor
● One or two very large chimneys
Color combinations tend toward the more dramatic and stately designs of the Georgian era. Here are a few examples of siding combinations for Colonial homes:
● Off-white siding with white trim and black shutters
● Gray siding with white trim, red accents, and black shutters
● Boothbay blue siding with white trim, red entry door, and black shutters
● Countrylane red siding with white trim and black accents
Contemporary Homes
Homes built with a sleek, contemporary style in the latter 20th century are considered to have contemporary designs. Like midcentury homes, contemporary homes tend to use open floor plans and plenty of natural lighting in their designs. Think of contemporary designs as the natural evolution of modern architecture. Unlike modern designs, contemporary homes tend to rely less on angles and incorporate more curves.
These are some of the most recognizable features of a contemporary home:
● Asymmetry
● Plentiful natural light
● Floor-to-ceiling windows
● Mixed materials
● Low slope roofs
When choosing a siding design for your contemporary home, go for sleek, minimalist looks. Here are a few of our most inspired ideas:
● Dark natural wood and charcoal siding
● Dark espresso brown and natural wood trim
● Light gray and mahogany wood siding
● Dark steel and warm wood siding
Ranch Homes
Ranch homes rose to popularity during the mid-twentieth century when they were popping up in suburbs across the country. Generally, ranch homes tend to be single-story homes in a long rectangle, L-shape, or U-shape. Ranch-style homes may feature mid-century modern architecture or may adhere to a more traditional design.
In colder climates like Minnesota’s, raised ranch homes complete with finished basements are popular. Typically, the basement is hidden with the house itself built into the hillside.
These are a few of the defining features of a ranch-style home:
● Open floor plan
● Sliding glass doors
● Large back patio area
● Asymmetrical front entrance
● Low-pitched or flat roof
● Wide-hanging eaves
● Minimal porches
When designing the siding for your ranch-style home, take a look at the overall design style of your home. If your home has more of a midcentury look, embrace big color contrasts. If your home has a more Craftsman-style appearance, lean into more natural looks for your siding.
These are some of the most popular siding design combinations for ranch homes:
● White siding with blue garage door and dark wood accents
● Warm brown with natural wood accents
● Rustic brown on brown siding
● Warm gray with white accents and a pop of color for the entry door
● Industrial contrasting grays like steel against deep charcoal
Schedule Your Twin Cities Siding Installation
If you’re thinking of installing new vinyl siding, Window World features an online design center to help you visualize your new siding, trim, and accents before installation. To connect with a siding installation specialist, call Window World Twin Cities at 651.770.5570 or contact us online to get your free siding quote today!
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