Au Naturel
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank was clearly onto something.
For home exteriors everywhere, people are gravitating toward natural looks and features. And while nature lends a pleasing aesthetic, this trend is about something deeper. Studies show that wood and wood-toned accents can create calmer, more welcoming spaces. And as society seeks a stronger state of wellbeing, many are finding solace not just inside their homes, but outside as well.
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Using materials that connect our homes and our lives with nature promotes a calming, restorative effect.
KRISTINA ALEXANDER, BRICK & BATTEN
“We know that connecting with nature profoundly impacts our well-being,” says Kristina Alexander, Lead Designer at Brick & Batten. Exterior design company, Brick & Batten, helps visualize homeowner’s exteriors, providing guidance and creative direction to clients looking for simple—yet impactful—exterior updates. “Using materials that connect our homes and our lives with nature promotes a calming, restorative effect. Natural materials such as rustic flagstone walkways and warm wood accents add depth, soul, and intrigue to a home. They help to ground the home and bring it back to nature.”
Continuity Over Contrast
Nature isn’t just for landscaping anymore. Natural looks are making their way onto features like garage doors and other accent features. And instead of a stark contrast, homeowners are seeking more blended looks where architecture and nature have seamless visual harmony.
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Feeling Blue
Sitting by the ocean or looking into the sky creates an undeniably tranquil feeling. Maybe that’s why blue is seeing such a surge in popularity. Benjamin Moore® and Sherwin-Williams® both selected a blue hue as their 2024 color of the year (Blue Nova and Upward, respectively) and we’re seeing the same trend on home exteriors.
In an interview with Builder Magazine, Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, said that, “Colors inspired by nature have been everywhere since 2020. In the first half of the decade, greens and earthy tones took over the home design space, and now we’re seeing a shift into ethereal tones and blues that still fall into the nature-inspired trend, which is why we chose to highlight a blue color.”
Blue is associated with wisdom, creativity, and spirituality.
BASK IN THE BLUE
Blue is associated with wisdom, creativity, and spirituality. Research shows that using blue in the physical environment can actually lower blood pressure. We’re not sure a doctor would recommend replacing medication with a new paint color, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
Dark & Dramatic
When deciding between colors, it turns out indecisive homeowners can have them all—since black is the combination of all colors.
Black exteriors send a strong message of prestige and sophistication—like an always-classic little black dress or black suit. Dressed to impress, these homes create an alluring energy, drawing people in and enveloping their visual senses. They also subtly nod at the night sky where all the wonders of the universe exist, inviting us to explore ideas beyond our comprehension.
Black exteriors send a strong message of prestige and sophistication — like an always classic little black dress or black suit.
MONOCHROMATIC MEANS ONE. KIND OF.
In addition to extreme monochromatic exteriors, more homes are combining multiple color hues within a single-color tone. Picture various shades of black, gray, or midnight blue—still monochromatic, but more layered and nuanced.
Warm & Inviting
Unlike black and white pairings, muted tones send a soft message, and we’re seeing them more and more. These hues create a grounding effect for the home—a neutral and natural structure that works well with the surrounding nature. The world is fast, chaotic, always moving, always busy—and quiet, understated colors offset our frenetic world, inviting us to slow down, enjoy a cup of coffee, or just … be.
“In response to the busy, chaotic world in which we live, more people are looking to create homes that encourage relaxation and rejuvenation,” Kristina says. “Using a neutral, earth-tone color palette fosters a sense of harmony and serenity. Muted exteriors that bring into play a more tonal approach seem free of overwhelm and clutter. They feel intimate and comfortable, generating an environment that is simple, modern, and warm.”
A Warm Welcome
According to Houzz, porch ideas rose 500%+ in searches compared to the prior year. More than ever, people are investing money in their front porches, embracing warm colors that welcome people and draw them in.
Using a neutral, earth-tone color palette fosters a sense of harmony and serenity.
RETURN OF THE FRONT PORCH
For countless homeowners, the porch isn’t just a landing spot for Amazon packages anymore. It’s an outdoor living room where neighbors can come over and visit. It’s a way to celebrate the seasons with eye-catching décor. In 2024, we expect this trend to rise, bringing in color, siding wood accents, and wood porch ceiling looks to create more defined spaces.
