| Today’s exteriors bring the community back to the house. The front of the house is now designed for including the neighbors in conversation rather than excluding. This Best of American Living Award-winning house combines many exterior design trends for 2005.
Color and texture stand out as rising trends for 2005. Subdued hues such as gray, taupe, white and beige are moving out of the way for today’s brighter, bolder colors such as red, blue and green. Today’s builders aren’t afraid to use color — and a variety of color at that — in their elevations. As the above picture shows, color is used on the second level of the home to give it a unique look. As the picture to the right shows, mixing multiple colors throughout the exterior gives the house its own, individual appeal. Color mixing is also a big trend for 2005. In addition to mixing colors, today’s builder is also mixing materials as well. It is now acceptable to have a house with black window trim mixed with stone and other materials. There’s a real acceptance of mixing stone with brick topped of with stucco accents. |
Move over cookie-cutter architecture and taupe. It's time to make way for the latest exterior design trends for 2005.
Read on to find out what trends had the experts at the 2005 International Builders' Show talking.
Today's exterior isn't your run-of-the-mill, one-dimensional house. The trend in today's exterior is to use variety within architectural families. Custom builders are mixing materials to create architectural character.
Today's builder is also paying tribute to yesteryear by adhering to past architectural styles. One such example of this can be found in the shutters and hinges that are making a come back.
Another exterior trend is found in the de-emphasis of the garage. Front-loading garages are now being replaced with side- or rear-loading garages to accommodate a more welcoming space in the front of the house. This trend to provide a more welcoming space has also created a trend toward usable front porches.
In keeping with the welcoming feel of the house, many builders are reintroducing the front porch to their elevations. The trend in front porches is to create a useable front porch — a place where the homebuyer wants to use as a retreat or where he or she can mingle with the neighbors.
Color is another big trend in exteriors. Gone are the days of the beige or taupe house. Today's homes feature a variety of colors and textures and is anything but boring.
One of the most prevalent design trends for 2005 is the return to yesteryear. Builders are taking past architectural styles and making them work. Today’s homes also have a more authentic look. No more Cape Cod in Colorado — today’s homes blend surrounding culture with neighborhood architecture. Smaller elements are also playing a big role. As each of the homes on this page illustrate, shutters and hinged windows are making a comeback. These touches that had previously been abandoned are coming back in full force and adding an element of authenticity. In addition to their authentic-looking roots, shutters and hinges are also an inexpensive way that builders can add an authentic look to a house. |