- Color Diversity: Neutral colors still dominate, but builders and buyers are looking to diversify those tones away from just creams and beiges. As such, we’re seeing more grays and blues, but still in muted, warm versions.
- Grays: Still, expect to see darker grays popping up more, as well, just as we’ve seen on the home’s interior. Some markets will see full facades decked out in grays, while others may turn to the hue as an accent.
- Contrasting Color: Bolder choices also are popping up as accents in an effort to achieve more contrast. This trend is revealing itself in trim as browns and greens, and sometimes even darker, to frame neutral siding. Or try a bright white trim framing cream-toned siding.
- Multiple Textures: Builders and remodelers are breaking up one-note facades with accents in stone, brick, and other styles of siding. For example, board-and-batten in a gable detail or stone wainscoting.
- More Character: Authenticity is crucial, and buyers are turning to vintage and classic styles to set their homes apart and add visual interest. Craftsman continues to be in demand, but often with a modern twist, such as selecting a bevel design instead of the traditional clapboard. Similarly, some pros are creating a modern look with classic profiles, such as using the tight joints of shiplap to achieve a contemporary appearance.
- All the Trimmings: In creating that curb appeal, builders are dressing up façades with more trim, including window headers, window and door surrounds, and tapered columns. However, they’re restricting that decoration to the visible areas of the house, leaving hidden side and rear façades more plain to save money.
- Low Maintenance: Simply put, homeowners don’t want to spend time washing, painting, and staining.
- More Bang for the Buck: Along those same lines, homeowners are willing to spend a bit more to get products that will last longer and stand up to the elements.
- Brick & Stone: Both brick and stone – whether as accents or as a full front façade – are very durable materials, requiring little maintenance. These qualities account for their lasting popularity, as most folks desire an exterior that requires little effort to keep looking great. Although brick is often associated with traditional homes, brick accents mixed with other materials work well with more contemporary designs. Stone products are available in a variety of styles and colors and will add beauty to nearly any aesthetic.