Every year, Google analyzes search trends and comes up with an annual summer trend report. The last few years have seen a major swing away from overly fussy and fancy “McMansions” toward more modern and minimal styles. Of course, in home design just like in fashion, you can never go wrong with something classic. Here’s what’s hot in home design this summer.
Ranch Style
Uniquely American, the Ranch-style home took top honors for architectural style in 34 of the 50 states. Ranch style homes are popular for their single-story layout, abundance of windows to welcome natural light, and unpretentious vibe. Ranch homes are often found on oversized lots, inviting homeowners to lounge by the pool or host a backyard BBQ. The long lines found on a ranch home meshes well with the mid-century modern style currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
4411 Arnell Drive is a perfect example of a ranch home. This Oak Forest gem boasts a cul-de-sac lot, private pool, mature trees, and a sweet oversized deck just begging to host your next cookout. Did we mention granite counter tops? And that the property never flooded?
Tudor
Traditional but never boring, Tudor homes are known for the half-timbered beams accenting the facade and multi-gabled, steeply pitched roofs. The style has been around in England since the days of Henry VIII and his many, many ill-fated brides, and you don’t experience that kind of staying power without a lot of good reasons. Tudors are a little rustic, a little cozy, and full of character. You’ll feel like a supporting character on Downton Abbey as lord of your own Tudor-style estate.
There aren’t a lot of Tudor-style homes in the Houston area, but you’ll find a few in River Oaks, like this stunning mansion at 9 West Lane. At 7,551 square feet, you’ll have more than enough space to live out your English nobility fantasies in style. In addition to the feel of a manor house, it boasts a private tennis court, resort pool, personal gym, and a kitchen that would make even the most demanding professional chef green with envy.
Craftsman
Craftsman-style bungalows are ubiquitous in the Heights, and they’re having a moment in the rest of the country as well. This distinctive architectural style is marked by welcoming front porches, manageable size, highly functional design, and protruding dormers. Natural materials like exposed wood and stone abound, and there’s usually a lot of crafty storage space hidden in space that is frequently not put to practical use.
You can’t throw a stick in the Heights without whacking the colorful siding of a Craftsman home, but 4002 Pineridge is one of our favorite examples of the style. Between the primo corner lot, giant wrap-around front porch, and chef’s kitchen (complete with Viking range, natch), how could we not fall in love? This property has been painstakingly renovated to offer every modern convenience without losing the vintage appeal of the original design.
Mediterranean
Even if you can’t squeeze in a trip to the Amalfi coast this year, you’ll still feel like a yacht-sailing world traveler living in a Mediterranean style home. These are marked by their use of colorful tiles and mosaics, balconies, tile roofs, and stucco facades.
We’re obsessed with this Mediterranean-style beauty at 911 Shelterwood Drive in Garden Oaks. It’s a perfect example of the Mediterranean trend, albeit on a pretty grand scale. Custom tile work throughout makes it truly one of a kind, and it has a resort-worthy loggia with an outdoor kitchen and massive backyard.
Contemporary
Beloved for their clean lines, natural light, and mixed palette of materials, the contemporary style comes in at number five on the Google trend list. Exposed brick and concrete can give a slightly industrial vibe, and the minimalist appeal of a contemporary home ensures this trend isn’t going away anytime soon.
2209 Park Street is a great example of contemporary home architecture. The open-concept floor plan, sleek glass fixtures and stainless appliances and on-trend navy cabinetry make this property a modern classic.
Whichever style tickles your fancy, we’ll help you find the perfect property to make your dream home a reality. All of the homes used as examples are currently for sale, but these beauties won’t stay on the market long.