Southern houses ooze style, charm, and coziness and it is natural to want to emulate this look in your own home. Below, you will find some of the top design tips to use.
Design a Welcoming Porch
One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of a Southern home is the porch. They tend to be prominent features, and it is not unusual to find family members and guests relaxing in this space. Your first order of business is to recreate the ultimate porch and entrance.
There are two main points to keep in mind when creating your Southern porch. For one, it should be airy and welcoming. The easiest way to make your porch feel welcoming is to place comfortable furniture. Look for durable furniture with a few cushions. Bonus points if you can find antique pieces.
The second point is that the color scheme should be cohesive, with elements that work well with the hues you have chosen for the interior. Open your front door and consider the colors there. Which shades will create a natural flow from the outside to the inside?
Opt for a Southern Color Scheme
There are some paint colors that are just more reminiscent of Southern homes than others. These include barn red, Texas leather (brown/tan), Charleston green (deep and dark green), Creole Pink (muddy pink), Williamsburg blue, and white with dark undertones.
Some of these shades can seem a bit bold to use on entire walls or throughout your home. Thus, you can use them as accents instead. For instance, Texas leather works well as an accent for beige walls, or you can use red or white on shutters for a more charming style.
Charleston green is an excellent option for kitchen cabinets and other features around your kitchen. While white is the easiest color to work with, you may not want a stark white home. Use this hue for sweeping columns.
Add Classic Touches
There is no denying that plantation shutters are about as Southern as it gets. They will instantly add Southern charm to any home. These shutters work especially well when the weather gets quite warm. The function behind these shutters allow you to easily control how much light you let into your home.
Make sure to choose a company such as Doors Plus that can emulate the style you are looking for. Remember, there are some variations, so it is important to select one that is well-suited to your home’s design.
Bring in Greenery
If you have ever been to a Southern home, you may have noticed that there is a lot of greenery, as Southerners love to bring the outdoors inside.
Having greenery indoors can be a bit tricky, so it is up to you to decide how to proceed. If you like, you can rotate fresh flowers from your garden. Set up a vase in every room and feature whatever you are growing during that season.
If you don’t mind more commitment, have large planters indoors. Although it isn’t strictly Southern, you can also have hanging plants around the place, especially in the living room. You will be surprised at just how much this brightens up your home.
Collect Antiques and Heirlooms
In the South, it is quite common for family heirlooms to be passed down from one generation to the next. As such, you will find that people decorate and furnish with items that have been in their family for some time.
If this isn’t a practice in your own family, you can shop for antiques – including furniture – and slowly add them to your collection. Take your time and check out antique and thrift shops around the country to find unique and homey pieces.
These are the top guidelines for creating a modern home with a Southern touch. You can choose to incorporate as many of these ideas as you like. It is all about curating a home that you love.