Thanks to several popular television series and interior design trends, mid-century homes built in the 1950s and 1960s are once again all the rage among today’s homeowners. Even though these houses prove the adage that “everything old is new again,” they can still look a bit dated sometimes. If you’ve been looking for some ways to update your mid-century abode’s facade without completely renovating it, the information in this guide will help you. The next few paragraphs feature four ways to modernize mid-century exteriors without changing them too much from their original form.
- Concentrate on a corner – Mid-century style homes tend to feature clean lines and geometric planes; try to look at this sleek appearance as an asset that allows you to accentuate one area truly. Choose a corner that faces the street and focus on upgrading it to fit your vision. You may, for example, want to add an overhang that both draws the eye and keeps you dry in rainy weather or install horizontal wood paneling that has a truly 60s aesthetic.
- Make the door as authentic as possible – The doors that were used on mid-century houses have a distinctive look. In fact, several modern manufacturers have begun producing replicas of popular styles. So, if your home doesn’t have its original entry door any longer, you can replace it without blowing your budget. Having an authentic (or authentic-looking) front door is a great way to spruce-up your house.
- Play-up your garage – Because most families were just beginning to own cars in the 1950s and 1960s, garages were a big deal. As a result, these structures tend to be prominently featured on houses that were built during these decades. There are several things you can do to make your mid-century home’s garage really stand out. You might, for instance, want to paint it a bold color, such as turquoise or bright red. Or, you could opt to select a modern door that features glass panels, which will look both up-to-date and perfect with the clean lines of your house. If you don’t happen to have a garage and aren’t interested in building one, adding a carport is another way to pay homage to the era in which your home was constructed.
- Build up, not out – The vast majority of mid-century houses are one story. This can frustrate modern homeowners who want more height. Rest assured, however, that adding a second floor to a traditional mid-century style home is completely possible! You just need to make sure you hire the right architect and contractor to do the job for you.
The Hatch Homes team enjoys doing major exterior remodeling work, particularly on mid-century houses. We have a blast updating these residences for today’s world, without losing the great design that has made them so iconic. Whether you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia, if you are planning to do a mid-century renovation in our service area, we hope you’ll give us a call as soon as possible!