HEARTH & HOME
Does Your Home Need a Facelift ?
By Rhonda Shrum Bodnar
Home design trends are always a hot topic , and most of the time , the exciting styles of the day are for the interior of a house . Kitchens , bathrooms , even trendy decorated laundry rooms , occupy large portions of time blocks on HGTV . But as anyone who has ever sold a house knows , curb appeal - what your home looks like to someone on the outside - is a design factor that you shouldn ’ t ignore .
Today ’ s savvy homeowners are learning the value of a visually appealing home . In addition to being one of the first boxes to check off when selling , updating your home ’ s curb appeal has positive implications for the homeowner who plans to stay put , as well . An attractive and updated home can make us feel happy and content from the moment we pull into the driveway , and newer exterior features are not only charming , but practical in terms of upkeep and environmental concerns . Here are some of the top trends in 2018 to reference when your home is ready for a facelift .
Mixed Textures Take a look at some of the newer homes being built around your area . Do you see a common trend ? Exterior materials are being mixed in a way that hasn ’ t been seen before . One home might have vinyl siding , gray brick and stucco ; another may have both cedar siding and stone . Mixing textures on a home , as in fashion , creates visual interest and draws in the eye .
Porticos and Porches A common home type in the U . S . is the colonial style that reigned over the home design space for 300 years , until the early- to mid-1800s .
Georgian colonial is particularly prevalent , and is identified by having two to three stories and a symmetrical look consisting of a centered doorway and equal amounts of windows on both sides . What those homes don ’ t have is a lot of interest in the entryway . A door , flat against the wall , is utilitarian , at best . Sophisticated buyers now expect an entry that wows , or even has space for outdoor furniture as an extension of the inside . Porticos ( a roof over the door supported by columns ) and porches are commonly added to homes to make them feel more welcoming to guests , and provide shelter from the elements for anyone standing outside .
“ Pop the Top ” When you ’ re in a home that suddenly seems too small , an addition is often a financially viable way to get what your family needs without investing in a whole new house . However , in cities or suburbs with little space between houses , adding an addition onto your home the typical way - extending the main floor – is often not an option .
In real estate lingo , “ popping the top ” means adding a second story , and it ’ s something we see more and more with older , cottage-style or bungalow homes in neighborhoods where history is appreciated , but a bigger house is desired . These renovations aren ’ t for the faint of heart , though . It can be pricey , and it takes a considerable amount of time . Plan a few months for the pre-construction process of designing and obtaining permits , and at least six months for the actual construction .
Green Options Taking care of the earth is a big topic these days , as is finding ways to conserve energy . Exterior materials come in a variety of choices , and some are more environmentally friendly than others . Brick , for example ,
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