There are many reasons to look forward to 2021, especially when it comes to your home. After an unexpected year that led to many of us spending more time at home, the new year is an opportunity to bring comfort and creativity to your house. From stonework and blue siding to larger windows and outdoor living areas, we will go through the top home remodeling trends for 2021. These trends are based on what projects Unified Home Remodeling saw New York homeowners complete throughout 2020.
Whether you’ve just purchased your home or have been in your home for years there’s always an opportunity to improve your home and give it a more modern up-to-date look. As a homeowner, you know the truth is you’re never really finished with the design of your house and there are always home improvement projects you want to complete.
Your house may be the biggest asset you own and with the amount of time you have been spending in your house lately, there is no better time than now to freshen up its look while also increasing your property’s overall value.
In your journey to make your home as comfortable and up-to-date as possible, homeowners often find there’s always something that can be replaced, repaired, or improved on their homes. Regardless of whether you’re updating your home out of necessity or simply looking to modernize your home, we will go through and explain the top home improvement trends we’re looking forward to seeing and working on in 2021.
1. Stone Veneer & Masonry Siding
One of the most prominent trends we saw towards the end of 2020 was stone veneer and masonry work on the siding of homes. As shown in the picture above, stacked stone, which is the stone pictured, was one of the most popular trends for homeowners looking to upgrade their siding. Homeowners are loving the look of full stone walls, retaining walls, ledges, and stone accents being added to their home’s exterior.
Stone veneer is a type of siding on your home that is made of stone instead of traditional vinyl siding. Stone veneer can come in many different forms. There are several designs, colors, and material options for homeowners to choose from.
The manufacturer we recommend to choose from for this stone siding look is El Dorado Stone. We use El Dorado products on most of our projects for their durability, strength, and overall aesthetic look. They have amazing colors to choose from as well as beautiful patterns and designs that are exclusive to El Dorado products.
The trend in 2021 that we are seeing with many homes is to make the foundation or bottom portion of your home stone accented or making a whole section of your house covered in stone veneer like the home in the picture above. This gives the home a cleaner, upgraded, and overall modern look. Stone veneer siding is also more durable than traditional vinyl siding making your home more weather resistant and stronger.
The return on your investment for a project like stone veneer siding is extraordinary. The project itself will cost minimal compared to the increased value your home will have after this project is done. We highly recommend this type of project for any homeowner looking to increase the value of their home while also beautifying and fortifying their house to keep up with the modern design of homes in 2021.
2. Blue Fiber Cement Siding
Last year, The Pantone Institute picked Classic Blue as the 2020 Color of the Year and we expect variations of blue to continue to be a trend for homes well into 2021. In fact, Benjamin Moore has picked Aegean Teal as the 2021 Color of the Year, which of course is within the blue family. For this trend, variations of the color blue are popping up everywhere from paint, cabinets to our favorite – Pacific Blue & Midnight Blue siding from CertainTeed.
In order to balance the bold blue color with your home, we recommend accenting it with a crisp white as seen in the picture of the house above. Aegean Teal can be used as an accent color or the main color of your house. For example, if you have neutral-colored siding, you can paint your front door in Aegean Teal for a burst of color!
Or, if you want to make a statement and use Aegean Teal as the main color of your house you can use it for your siding and you can accent your home with neutral colors from the Benjamin Moore color palette using dark colors like Silhouette for your windows, doors, and roofing, or detail your house with lighter colors such as Foggy Morning, Atrium White, or Gray Cashmere. All of these options will allow you to take full advantage of the 2021 color of the year on your house.
The most popular type of siding we are seeing for 2021 is Fiber cement siding. Fiber cement siding is a type of prefabricated siding that is a mixture of materials that includes sand and fibers made from cardboard. It is an alternative type of siding that is a little more expensive than traditional siding but has a ton of added value, making this one of the biggest upcoming trends of 2021.
This type of siding is extremely durable and can stand up to harsh weather conditions. Additionally, fiber cement material is resistant to mold, mildew, insect damage, and is not flammable. Since fiber cement siding can resemble wood planks or shingles, homeowners don’t have to give up the look of traditional siding. While fiber cement siding is more expensive than traditional vinyl siding, the added value and durability of the material will increase the value of your home and make your home beautiful for longer.
3. Outdoor Living Spaces
While a lot of the home improvement trends for 2021 focus on the main front exterior of your house, a lot of homeowners are going to look to their backyards to create more comfortable exterior living spaces. Think masonry work, pavers, fire pits, custom outdoor kitchens, grill areas, and outdoor seating areas.
Creating a livable outdoor space that you love can make all the difference in transforming the living areas of your house. Make your house the go to place that all your friends and family will want to go to with an extraordinary outdoor living area.
Your house will be the best for hosting events and is just as important as ensuring the front of your house is perfect. Adding a seating area with a custom fire pit is the perfect way to enhance your backyard, and in the long run, all of these exterior improvements will serve to increase your home’s value.
4. Bigger Driveways & Walkways
This year we also anticipate homeowners making a move towards bigger and wider driveways and walkways. In past years people typically extend a driveway or walkway with gravel or cement. In 2021, however, homeowners are going to shift into a more upgraded look by expanding their driveway and walkways using pavers, masonry, or stonework. A larger driveway is a luxury, especially if you are a multi-car family.
Not only does this add to the value of your home, but it’s also an easy upgrade that looks great and is highly functional. Larger walkways are desirable because it keeps people off of their lawns and garden areas which can disrupt your landscaping.
By using masonry, pavers or stone work for your driveways and walkways it allows homeowners to give the exterior of their house a unique and custom look with various colors, styles and materials to choose from rather than just placing new cement or sealing your driveway or walkway.
5. Carriage Style Garage Doors
Traditionally, garage doors are made of metal and are designed in such a way to not draw any attention to them. In 2021 housing trends are shifting to make a statement out of garage doors and using them to accent the home. A garage door takes up a large portion of the front of your home, which makes this an ideal part of your home to focus on when making upgrades.
Some upgrade options to give your garage door a more contemporary look include upgrading the glass or design of your garage door. The most popular design among homeowners in 2020 was the carriage style garage door. While original carriage style garage doors are made of wood and open like a regular door (inswing or outswing) the new trend is to have a steel garage door that looks like a carriage style but operates the same as a regular steel garage door.
The problem with traditional carriage-style garage doors is that wooden doors will warp and become difficult to open and close as regular wear and tear occur. Additionally, when it snows or rains the doors become harder to open. These problems do not occur with a steel carriage style garage door especially when you have a motor attached to the garage door. Instead, you get the beautiful classic look with all the modern technology of a steel garage door.
Other options to increase the curb appeal of your house through a new garage door are adding reclaimed wood to the doors or having a black or different color garage door instead. If changing the facade of your garage is not in your budget, another option is to upgrade the hardware with a new lift handle, side bracket, or motor.
As all home improvement projects do, a new garage door will also increase the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.
6. Black Windows & Doors
The newest trend we are seeing that is popular among homeowners in 2021 is black windows and doors. While black windows and doors have never been popular due to the amount of heat they attract, homeowners are loving the detailed look the black neutral color gives to their homes. Because of the increased demand for black doors and windows manufacturers are trying to create new technology that allows black windows and doors to last longer than ever before.
Because the color black absorbs so much heat any exterior home remodeling product that is a black or dark color is usually not warrantied by the manufacturers. However, because of the increased demand many manufacturers have engineered their darker color products to last just as long as their lighter colored products. Before you order and install black exterior products on your home be sure to know whether the warranty for those items are different because of their color.
Nonetheless, with manufacturers adapting to the demands of homeowners, dark windows and doors are now being made differently in order to accommodate the newest trend in exterior home design. The best manufacturer of dark colored doors that allows for the same warranty as their lighter colored doors is Homeguard.
Unified prefers to install Homeguard doors due to their superior technology and engineering compared to other manufacturers.
7. Installing Bigger Windows
Homeowners are constantly thinking of ways to make their home more unique and modern. One way they are doing this is by installing larger windows to let more natural light into the house. Larger custom made windows are a great way to set your home apart from others on the block. Custom shapes, sizes, hardware, and colors are all available for homeowners to choose from. More glass in general is where we are seeing the trend go for homeowners in 2021.
Larger glass is a great way to upgrade the look of your home and allow natural light into your house as well as giving the exterior of your house a customized design. This can mean installing an all glass patio door, stunning large picture windows, or installing doors that feature more glass work including sidelights and transoms.
Another benefit of this trend is that it adds exponential value to your home. Should you decide to sell your home one day, larger windows will make it more desirable to potential buyers because of the custom and unique look your home will have.
8. Dark Roofing
When it comes to roofing trends, black and dark-colored options are a consistent favorite, and it’s easy to see why. These shades not only match virtually any home exterior—except perhaps dark brown—but they also add a touch of timeless style. This makes black a go-to choice for homeowners aiming to enhance their property’s aesthetic. Plus, a black roof can help keep your home’s temperature more consistent by absorbing heat into your attic.
Black roofing is particularly popular among younger homeowners looking to infuse a modern vibe into their residences. It’s not just about the look; a black roof also makes the exterior features of a house pop, making the colors appear brighter and more vibrant. This is where Unified, a Long Island roofing company can step in. By providing expert advice and high-quality roofing materials, we ensure your home not only stands out but also benefits from an expert installation of your roofing choice.
While the previous trend was to use colorful shingles to make homes distinctive, the current preference leans towards neutral-colored roofs. This shift allows homeowners to focus on adding splashes of color through other exterior elements, such as windows, doors, siding, or masonry, making a stylish statement with a cohesive design approach.
9. Vinyl Porch & Deck Railings
Vinyl railings have become a popular addition recently and we anticipate them becoming a big trend for homeowners in 2021. These railings are ideal for the front of your home on your porch or deck due to their durability and low maintenance design.
Vinyl railings are resistant to sun and insect damage and are fire-resistant. These features are appealing to homeowners because the vinyl railings will keep their color for years and rarely need any other maintenance other than a simple wash.
Vinyl railings are stronger than wood railings, they won’t splinter, and are very easy to clean. Wood railings will rot, warp and deteriorate over time, unlike vinyl railings. Plus, they look great, providing a polished look to the exterior of your home. The best part about vinyl railings is that they come in a variety of styles and colors so the design is completely customizable to your preferred look.
10. Making it Personal
With more people anticipating they will be working at home in 2021 than ever before, an anticipated trend is making the home more personal. When it comes to outdoor renovations this can be a statement piece like a bold colored front door, stone masonry work, or dark-colored siding for a more modern look. The idea is to make your home reflect your personal taste and personality.
Now more than ever homeowners are looking at upgrading and remodeling their homes to feel comfortable and proud of where they live. Your house is more likely than not your biggest asset and you should treat it as such by keeping it up to date and modern. We believe these trends will last a lifetime and we are seeing more and more projects like the ones mentioned in this article everyday.
If you are looking to remodel your home, upgrade your house or just repair the exterior of your home be sure to call an honest, affordable, and trustworthy contractor that has been around for years like Unified Home Remodeling.
