Exterior House Style Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. How much should the construction itself contribute to the exterior's beauty?
Very little; I prefer surfaces that hide joints and structural elements
A few visible supports are appealing if the overall look stays simple
Beams, brackets, and sturdy connections should provide noticeable character
Expressive joinery and structural craftsmanship should be among the facade's main features
2. You have a small front garden and a weekend to reshape it. What atmosphere would you create?
A spare arrangement of gravel, clipped plants, and one sculptural tree
A neat path with symmetrical shrubs and a few seasonal flowers
A curved walkway bordered by mixed flowers, herbs, and informal greenery
A lush, layered garden with climbing vines, overflowing beds, and a winding path to the door
3. You are redesigning a front porch. Which structure sounds most inviting?
A shallow, formal portico with slender matching columns
A practical covered stoop with simple square posts
A deep porch with broad posts, exposed beams, and room to sit
A generous low-roofed porch with tapered columns on masonry piers and prominent joinery
4. Which roof and eave treatment feels most like home to you?
A steep, tidy roof with close-cut eaves and formal detailing
A conventional pitched roof with moderately extended eaves
A low-pitched roof with broad eaves and visible rafter tails
A strongly sheltering roof with deep overhangs, exposed rafters, and substantial decorative brackets
5. You can add one set of exterior details to an otherwise plain house. What sounds most appealing?
Natural timber brackets and visible handcrafted joints
Simple window surrounds and a restrained roofline cornice
Coordinated shutters, substantial window trim, and a defined cornice
Precisely proportioned columns or pilasters with formal molding throughout
6. A builder asks what should organize the front of your house. Which direction do you choose?
An informal arrangement that looks as though it evolved over time
A generally balanced facade with room for a few playful differences
Clear alignment between the entrance, windows, and major roof elements
Strong symmetry centered on a formal doorway with carefully matched features
7. Which combination best captures the sense of permanence you want from a facade?
Irregular stone, deep eaves, and materials that weather visibly
A familiar pitched roof and durable siding with a few orderly details
Brick or refined siding arranged with consistent windows and traditional trim
A stately masonry exterior with strict proportions and a ceremonially framed entrance
8. During an exterior renovation, how would you handle trim and decorative detail?
Keep several familiar details because they make the house feel established
Simplify the trim while retaining a noticeable frame around key windows and doors
Use narrow, understated trim that supports the overall geometry
Conceal or eliminate most trim so joints and edges appear exceptionally clean
9. Which front-door treatment would you be happiest to see every day?
A simple slab door set into an unadorned wall
A paneled door with modest trim and relaxed hardware
A substantial paneled door framed by sidelights or refined molding
A formal entrance with a transom, balanced sidelights, and layered classical trim
10. Imagine approaching your home after a busy day. Which entrance would feel most satisfying?
A welcoming porch with furniture, planters, and several personal details
A familiar covered doorway edited down to a few coordinated features
A sheltered entrance defined by one bold plane, warm lighting, and little clutter
A nearly seamless entry integrated into a sculptural, highly restrained facade
11. Which exterior material palette feels closest to your ideal?
Varied brick, painted wood, and contrasting trim with visible texture
Smooth siding with a conventional roof and one restrained accent material
Large neutral surfaces balanced by wood or stone for warmth
Monochromatic panels, glass, and precisely finished concrete or metal
12. A designer presents four material boards for your exterior. Which one would you take home?
Smooth panels, metal accents, and large sheets of glass
Painted siding with restrained stone or wood at the entrance
Wood shingles or lap siding paired with a substantial stone base
Richly grained wood, fieldstone, and handcrafted masonry used throughout the visible structure
13. Which window treatment gives a facade the most personality for you?
Large unbroken panes with nearly invisible frames
Simple divided-light windows with restrained trim
Casement windows with shutters, flower boxes, or gently varied sizes
Deep-set, multi-pane windows tucked beneath small gables and surrounded by climbing plants
14. While browsing homes, which roofline would make you stop for a closer look?
A crisp flat roof with sharply aligned edges
A straightforward pitched roof with one centered gable
A steep roof with intersecting gables and a cozy, irregular silhouette
A highly picturesque roofline with steep gables, dormers, and chimney details that suggest a storybook home
15. You are comparing four front elevations for a future home. Which composition holds your attention longest?
A balanced facade with a centered doorway and evenly spaced windows
A mostly simple facade softened by one traditional gable
An asymmetrical arrangement of clean rectangular forms with a few warm accents
A sharply composed set of flat planes, deep openings, and almost no ornament
16. Friends are coming for an evening visit. Which exterior welcome feels most like your personality?
A dramatic architectural doorway with minimal decoration
A tidy entrance with matching planters and a clear, direct path
A softly lit door with a bench, seasonal flowers, and a slightly informal path
A tucked-away entrance framed by vines, lantern light, layered pots, and personal handcrafted touches