With their inviting hospitality, distinctive architectural elements, and sunny settings, Southern homes exude unique charm.
Whether your property is falling far short of your vision or you’re looking for a few quick and easy ways to refresh and revitalize it, there are some upgrades you can make to complement its Southern style.
From stylish entry doors to gracious landscaping, these five ideas can help you elevate your Southern home.
1. Make a Grand Impression with a Stylish Entry Door
The front door is often the focal point of a home’s exterior. Upgrading it is a simple yet significant way to improve the impression your home makes.
In addition to enhancing curb appeal, a new entry door promises other potential benefits, including energy efficiency, safety and security, decreased maintenance, improved functionality, and customizability.
If you live in a coastal region, one of the best picks for a new door is aluminum. Corrosion-resistant aluminum is also very durable, lightweight, and easy to operate. When made with impact glass, aluminum doors are also one of the best ways to protect your beach house or coastal property from the effects of strong weather.
Finally, aluminum doors—available in a range of design styles and colors—boast a clean, modern aesthetic with the capacity to seamlessly integrate with their surroundings.
Looking to make a big statement with an aluminum door? Consider a bold glass pivot door.
2. Boost Form and Function with New Window and Door Frames
Your front door is just one of many openings in your home. Together, your windows and doors add up to a big part of your home’s look, feel, and functionality. Upgrading both your window and door frames can completely alter your home and how you live in it.
As in the case of aluminum entry doors, aluminum windows are especially versatile. While we often think of them for their compatibility with contemporary designs, they’re equally at home in other types of environments, including everything from farmhouse to Craftsman-style. This is because they’re both beautiful and unobtrusive.
When choosing impact windows, you’re also protecting your home (and its inhabitants) from potentially catastrophic damage from hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
Additionally, some aluminum window types have the capacity to help you fulfill specific goals. For example, casement windows maximize ventilation, while fixed windows in unique sizes or shapes can become design elements in and of themselves while simultaneously offering the optimal energy efficiency.
Aluminum’s strength also allows for large expanses of uninterrupted glass for windows and doors. For homeowners looking to showcase gorgeous views, let in more natural light, or create an indoor-outdoor feel, this can make them an alluring choice.
3. Create Attractive Al Fresco Spaces with Outdoor Furniture
With the indoor-outdoor living trend going strong, more homeowners are investing in livable exterior spaces. Not only do many Southern homes boast large porches, patios, and other outdoor areas designed for relaxation and recreation, but the climate means these spaces can get three and even four seasons of use.
Just as you prioritize style, comfort, and quality when selecting furniture for your home’s interior, the same criteria should guide your search for your patio furniture. Prioritize ample comfortable seating (think deep seating, classic rocking chairs, and porch swings) and stylish dining furniture in weather-resistant materials, such as wrought iron, wicker, and teak—all of which can hold up to the Southern climate while adding style and sophistication to the environment.
And don’t forget about the finishing touches that help spaces feel complete and cohesive. Colorful throw pillows, cozy rugs, calming greenery, and other accessories and accents will add polish and pizzazz.
4. Level Up Your Landscaping
Landscaping can have a transformative impact on your home and property. Embrace Southern charm by planting lush greenery, rambling vines, blooming flowers, and native plants to add color and fragrance. Meanwhile, magnolias, live oaks, and other flowering trees provide scenic shade.
Other inviting landscape elements include pathways in natural stone or brick, water features like fountains and ponds, and planting beds.
5. Add Elegant Illumination with Outdoor Lighting
Landscape lighting is often an afterthought for many homeowners. Unfortunately, this can be a major missed opportunity to improve your home. Not only does a thoughtful outdoor lighting plan offer critical illumination after dark, it also has the potential to improve the safety, security, and usability of your property.
As with indoor lighting, the best outdoor lighting plans adopt a layered approach incorporating the three main types of lighting: general, task, and accent lighting. When combined, they ensure that your lighting plan will meet your functional needs while also providing a pleasant and comfortable glow.
In addition to general lighting, include task and accent lighting that accentuates architectural features, pathways, and landscaping elements. Hanging pendants and chandeliers, decorative lanterns, wall sconces, and string lights are examples of light fixtures that can work together to cultivate a welcoming and beautiful ambiance.
While not technically a “lighting” element, fire pits and fire tables are popular elements at any gathering. In addition to providing light, they’re also wonderful focal points for sharing stories and toasting S’mores. Plus, fire elements are wonderful to warm up by when the nights turn chilly.
The words “hospitality” and “Southern” go hand in hand. Use one or more of these five home improvement tips to create a home that reflects the essence of Southern style.
Interested in learning more about what high-performance ECO Window Systems impact doors and windows can do for your Florida home? Get a free quote today.
