Introduction
New year, new trends. While we often have interior design trends on the brain when January rolls around, what about the exterior of our homes? After all, everyone from the dog walker to the mailperson sees it (unlike that bathroom refresh you just completed), so why not give the outside of your home just as much personality as what's inside?
With that in mind, we spoke with Dzinly co-founder Jackie Mosher about the top exterior design trends in 2024, plus tips on how to go about the renovations.
"My biggest advice is do your due diligence; be realistic about your expectations and what you like or what you really don't like," Mosher tells us. "Put together your inspirational images and really, really think about it."
1. Dark & Earth-Toned Paints Create Friendly, Inviting Spaces
In 2020, there was a boom in demand for home offices as many people began working from home. Although there has been a gradual return to the workplace, Mosher highlights the continued desire for homes to act as warm, inviting, safe spaces that shield us from a tumultuous world. In 2023, she shared that dark and earth tones are in, as well as warm whites, and that rings true into 2024 as well.
"White is obviously timeless and a safe choice, but the creamy, warmer whites are being selected more recently versus the icy shade," Mosher shares. Other hues to consider? Blues. Mosher reports that all her suppliers have picked some shade of blue as their color for 2024.
2. Monochrome Is in, High Contrast Is Out
The past five years have seen an ode to high-contrast looks—picture white houses with black trim and the like—but now the scale is tipping in a monochrome direction. This is all, Mosher says, in a bid for originality. "We hear people say 'I don't want to look like the neighbors. I don't want to look like every house on the block,'" she tells us.
Since high-contrast paint combinations are so bold, they really stand out. And the more ubiquitous they've become, the more they start to feel cookie cutter. As a result, the pendulum is swinging in the other direction. Monochrome, according to Mosher, is an easy way to achieve a chic and sophisticated design without feeling aggressive.
3. Wood, Metal, Stone, Oh My: Mix Up Those Textures
No one said your home exterior had to be all brick, all stone or all wood. Mixing up materials lends visual interest, especially when you incorporate something as an accent piece. For example, Mosher has noticed that stained wood has become a popular choice, finding its way into header beams on a porch, windowsill details, pediments, gables and wood plank siding.
"[Other] great options for the textured materials [are] stone, siding and board and batten. Metal roofs and metal awnings (the cheaper version of the metal roofs) are becoming super popular as well," she adds.
4. Trimless, Geometric Windows Are on the Rise
Mosher tells us that many are opting for no trim on their windows, which yields an incredibly clean look. And, yes, this is even happening on "traditional" homes like Colonials. "People are throwing in larger-sized windows where typically they were built much smaller," she says. Additionally, geometric shapes are all the rage: From ovals and octagons to the sought-after half-moon, homeowners are saying goodbye to the square and rectangle.
5. Bigger Is Better
Pinterest predicts that 2024 will be the year to "make it big." While the trend focused on beauty and jewelry, it extends to home design, too. In addition to ginormous windows, Mosher says that even the details are getting bigger, as shown above in the gable and corbels.
"People want almost oversized wood headers, corbels and eave brackets. The lighting, [which is often seen as the jewelry of the home], is also something that is very trendy to see oversized."
6. Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor living spaces remain a stronghold, even post-pandemic. "[Even people with much smaller homes want] patios, outdoor fireplaces, ovens and entertainment areas," Mosher says. "[They want] delegated areas for this."
7. Smart Home Technology
Sure, you use your Roomba and Alexa basically runs your house. But people are also turning to smart home technology for the outdoors. "I think that's another one where people are definitely getting used to this is the new normal," Mosher says. That includes lighting, doorbells, security, sprinklers and even locks.
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