The exterior home improvement trends homeowners keep coming back to have one thing in common: they make the outside of the house a place to live in, not only to look at. Larger windows, darker siding colors, shaded patios and yards designed for play and relaxation all point the same way. Here are the ideas worth knowing about and how they might fit a Connecticut home.
Outdoor Living Trends: Yards Made for Enjoyment
Landscape design company Yardzen compiles homeowner requests into an annual report, and one edition summed up the mood as “backyard bliss.” You can read the Yardzen outdoor living trends report for the full picture. The authors described a shift in outdoor style in which “the clean lines of modernism give way to organic textures and forms, heavy on habitat-supporting and pollinator-loving plants and trees.”
Yards for play
Parents want a yard that is beautiful and also fun and enriching for children, a place that keeps them off screens and engaged with nature.
Functional gardens
More homeowners want to grow produce at home, and to do it in a stylish way. Raised garden beds and small greenhouses are common requests.
Outdoor spaces for wellness
Homeowners increasingly use their yards for relaxation and rejuvenation. Time outside is good for you, and a dedicated outdoor living area adds usable square footage to the home.
Exterior Home Improvement Trends for the House Itself
Larger windows
For homeowners who want a brighter house and a view of the landscape around it, larger windows are a simple and effective change. More glass lets more sunlight in to warm the rooms naturally in the cooler months. Glass choice matters, so read about energy-efficient windows in Connecticut before you decide.
Windows in less conventional shapes
Most houses have rectangular windows, but many more styles are available. Homeowners who want to change the look of a house, and people building new, are choosing round windows and other less common shapes. Bay, bow, awning and casement windows are a few options to consider.
Renewed interest in siding, especially darker colors
Yardzen reported an increase in requests for exterior siding, with board and batten, stone and lap styles leading the list. Siding adds richness to a facade and highlights architectural details.
Darker colors have become popular, including navy blue, forest green and dark brown. For accents, some homeowners choose shades from the same family as the main color. Others who want something bolder use black.
A front entry that stands out
A new door in a strong color is one of the simplest ways to follow these trends without changing the whole house. If you are considering it, our post on how to choose a front door installer explains what to look for.
Shade and Comfort: Awnings, Canopies and Patio Covers
Homeowners are looking for stylish ways to keep their houses cooler in summer and more comfortable year-round. Architectural elements that create pleasant, temperate spots are in demand, including awnings, canopies and patio covers.
Comfortable outdoor rooms are part of the same trend. People are adding patio furniture, fire pits and even outdoor kitchens. For those who already have a deck or patio, being able to use it more often is the priority.
Retractable awnings are a simple and effective way to keep an outdoor space cool, and they protect people and furniture from a passing shower. If you are weighing the cost, see whether retractable awnings are worth it for Connecticut homeowners. For shade that stays in place all season, look at patio covers, and for the front of the house, door canopies and window awnings.
Bring These Ideas to Your Own Home
Trends are only useful if they suit your house and the way you live. Start with the change that would get the most use, whether that is a shaded patio, brighter rooms or a new front entry. Aladdin Inc, a family-owned Connecticut exterior contractor since 1949, can help you sort through the options. Call (203) 776-9996 or reach out through our contact page.