14 Cape Homes In Massachusetts With Sweet, Simple Curb Appeal
Cape Cod style homes are as quintessentially Massachusetts as clam chowder and the Red Sox! These charming dwellings with their symmetrical designs, steep roofs, and central chimneys have been stealing hearts since the 17th century. Join me on a delightful tour of 14 Cape homes that prove you don’t need elaborate landscaping or fancy facades to create knockout curb appeal; sometimes, simple really is sweeter!
1. Nantucket Nautical Nook
Oh my goodness, this little blue beauty had me at hello! Nestled just two blocks from the harbor, this classic Cape features weathered cedar shingles that have silvered perfectly with age.
White trim pops against the natural wood, while hydrangea bushes add those iconic blue puffs of coastal color. The simple shell pathway leading to the front door is genius; practical and pretty!
My favorite touch? The antique ship’s lantern hanging beside the door, a perfect nod to the home’s maritime heritage without going overboard on the nautical theme.
2. Cranberry Cottage Charm
Cranberry red clapboard siding makes this Plymouth gem stand out against its green surroundings! The owner (a retired schoolteacher) told me she painted it this color to honor the region’s cranberry-growing history.
Simple boxwood shrubs frame the entryway without fuss, while a pair of rocking chairs on the small front porch invite neighbors to stop for a chat. Window boxes overflowing with white petunias add just the right amount of softness to the structured façade.
What really steals the show is the antique whale weathervane perched atop the roof; a whimsical touch that tells visitors they’re definitely in New England!
3. Sailor’s Seaside Sanctuary
Walking up to this Falmouth treasure feels like stepping into a postcard! Crisp white clapboard with navy blue shutters creates that timeless maritime look that never goes out of style.
The current owners (a retired sea captain and his wife) have kept the landscaping brilliantly unfussy – just a neat row of lavender bordering the brick pathway and a single magnificent climbing rose beside the door. A small American flag flutters gently from a simple wooden pole.
The brass door knocker shaped like a scallop shell adds just enough personality without breaking the clean aesthetic. Sometimes restraint creates the most striking impression!
4. Provincetown Painter’s Paradise
This quirky little Cape absolutely radiates creative energy! The pale yellow exterior with periwinkle blue door belongs to a local watercolor artist who clearly brings her color sense home.
Instead of traditional foundation plantings, she’s arranged a collection of large weathered stones and driftwood pieces in a zen-like garden that requires zero maintenance. A cobblestone path winds through beach grass to the front step, where a pair of worn fisherman’s buoys hang as decoration.
My favorite unexpected touch? The artist painted delicate seagulls along the mailbox post – proof that personalization doesn’t have to be complicated to be utterly charming!
5. Martha’s Vineyard Vintage Gem
Green shutters against crisp white clapboard create timeless appeal on this Oak Bluffs stunner! The homeowners have preserved all the original 1920s details, including the charming scalloped trim along the roofline.
A simple crushed shell driveway leads to a front yard featuring nothing but immaculately kept grass and three perfectly placed dogwood trees. No fussy flower beds here – just clean lines and breathing room that let the architecture shine.
The wrought-iron boot scraper by the front step (still in use after a century!) reminds visitors of the home’s practical heritage. Sometimes the most appealing homes honor their history rather than chasing trends!
6. Lighthouse Keeper’s Legacy
Perched on a small hill overlooking Buzzards Bay, this gray-shingled Cape once belonged to a lighthouse keeper’s family! The current owners maintained the home’s dignified simplicity with just a touch of nautical flair.
White picket fencing outlines the property without blocking the view, while native beach plum bushes provide structure without demanding constant attention. The red front door pops against the neutral exterior – a nod to the region’s maritime warning signals.
A handcrafted driftwood sign reading “The Anchorage” welcomes visitors with understated charm. The overall effect feels authentic to the home’s coastal roots without a hint of kitschy seaside decor!
7. Berkshire Botanical Beauty
Nestled in the western Massachusetts hills, this sunny yellow Cape proves the style works beautifully beyond the coastline! The homeowners (avid gardeners) created curb appeal through strategic simplicity.
Instead of overwhelming the modest façade with too many plantings, they installed just three perfect elements: a mature Japanese maple centered in the front yard, symmetric boxwoods flanking the door, and window boxes bursting with cascading ivy and white begonias. The gravel path edged with fieldstones collected from the property adds authentic Berkshire character.
A simple wooden bench beneath the maple creates an inviting spot to enjoy the mountain views – proving that sometimes less truly is more!
8. Salem Witch City Wonder
History whispers from every corner of this slate-blue Cape in Salem’s historic district! Dating back to 1802, this architectural gem maintains its period character through thoughtfully restrained exterior choices.
Black shutters and a glossy black door create dramatic contrast against the blue clapboard. The homeowners (history professors at a local university) opted for a traditional Colonial-era herb garden rather than showy flowers – think neat squares of lavender, sage, and thyme bordered by boxwood.
An authentic reproduction whale oil lamp hangs beside the door, illuminating the brass plaque that details the home’s historical significance. The effect is educational yet utterly enchanting!
9. Rockport Artist’s Retreat
Famous for inspiring generations of painters, Rockport’s charm shines through in this delightful sage green Cape! The homeowner (a retired art teacher) embraces the town’s artistic heritage with subtle creative touches.
River stones arranged in a spiral pattern lead visitors to the bright coral-colored front door – an unexpected pop that references the town’s iconic “Motif No. 1” fishing shack. Copper rain chains replace traditional downspouts, creating visual interest even on rainy days.
My favorite detail? The collection of sea glass pieces embedded in the concrete stepping stones, catching light like little gems. It’s personal, practical, and perfectly suited to this artistic community’s aesthetic!
10. Duxbury Saltbox Simplicity
Technically a saltbox variation on the Cape style, this Duxbury charmer showcases how architectural lines can create curb appeal without fancy embellishments! The traditional cedar shingles have weathered to that gorgeous silvery-gray that only time can create.
The homeowners embraced the home’s asymmetrical roofline by planting just three elements: a row of tidy boxwoods along the foundation, a single magnificent climbing hydrangea that frames one side of the door, and native grasses that wave gently in the sea breeze. A simple bluestone path leads straight to the navy blue door.
The antique ship’s bell mounted beside the entrance serves as both doorbell and conversation piece – functional history at its finest!
11. Newburyport Naval Captain’s Cottage
Standing proudly since 1790, this pristine white Cape in Newburyport exudes historical dignity without an ounce of pretension! Black shutters with authentic working hardware frame twelve-over-twelve windows that have witnessed centuries of New England seasons.
The current owners (maritime history buffs) keep the landscaping appropriately period-specific with just three elements: a pair of mature boxwoods flanking the central door, a simple herb garden in a geometric pattern, and a gravel drive edged with locally-sourced granite blocks. An antique carriage step remains by the street.
The brass door hardware polished to a warm glow invites visitors into this slice of living history – simple perfection!
12. Concord Literary Legacy
Literature lovers swoon over this butter-yellow Cape in historic Concord! Once home to a cousin of Louisa May Alcott, this 1820s gem maintains its intellectual heritage through thoughtfully simple design choices.
The current owner (a retired librarian) keeps the front yard open and uncluttered – just a sweeping lawn with a single magnificent sugar maple that blazes with color each fall. A brick path laid in herringbone pattern leads to the glossy black door adorned with just a simple brass knocker.
My favorite touch? The hand-lettered wooden sign hanging from the lamppost that reads “Books Inside” – an invitation to fellow bibliophiles that perfectly captures the home’s literary soul!
13. Chatham Fisherman’s Haven
Salt air and sea spray have weathered this Chatham Cape to perfection! The cedar-shingled exterior has developed that impossible-to-fake patina that only decades near the ocean can create.
Rather than fighting the coastal conditions, the homeowners (whose family has fished these waters for generations) embrace the weathered aesthetic. Native beach roses and rugosa create a low-maintenance border along the crushed clamshell path. A collection of worn lobster buoys in faded reds and blues hangs decoratively along the side of the attached shed.
The navy blue door features a simple wreath made from twisted rope – nautical simplicity that honors the home’s working-class roots while creating undeniable charm!
14. Ipswich First Period Treasure
History buffs, prepare to swoon! This remarkable Ipswich Cape dates to 1680, making it one of the earliest surviving examples in Massachusetts. The homeowners (passionate preservationists) maintain the exterior with historical accuracy that would make a museum curator proud.
The weathered red clapboard (painted with historically accurate milk paint) stands out against the simple landscape of native grasses and ancient apple trees. No foundation plantings here – just a simple stone path leading to the central door with its original strap hinges and hand-forged latch.
An authentic colonial herb garden laid out in traditional quadrants adds period-appropriate charm while honoring the home’s practical roots!
