Embarking on the journey of designing your own home in Florida is an exhilarating experience, affording you terrific opportunities to fashion the dream space you’ve always desired. The path to creating a standout Florida home, a property that will be the toast of the town, becomes clearer as it incorporates various design elements. Here are the hot-ticket trends and features that experts and architects consistently advise to consider in your customized home design plan.
Open Fire, No Smoke
Open floor plans have been an enduring trend in Florida homes for quite some time. These airy spaces benefit from an abundance of natural light, providing an adaptable functionality that promotes family unity, entertainment, and multitasking. It’s tricky to conceive a standout home with a design that falls short of featuring an open layout.
Embrace the Outdoors
The natural beauty of Florida encourages homeowners to extend their living spaces outdoors. Whether it’s a lanai, garden, deck, courtyard or pool, these features upgrade the home’s appeal. The sheer joy derived from lounging, entertaining or enjoying the scenic view from your outdoor space enhances the value of your real estate investment. The specific location, however, will dictate choice features; for instance, a rooftop patio works better at the beach while downtown, a walled garden might be more fitting.
First Step, Make an Impression
Curb appeal remains a vital attribute that can significantly influence your home’s perception. Attention-grabbing landscapes, tidy lawns, and an inviting porch immediately draw people in. But, maintaining curb appeal doesn’t have to be tedious. There are many low-maintenance yet attractive native landscaping options available.
Window to the World
Windows are a critical feature for a Florida home, beyond offering aesthetic appeal. They reduce energy loss, mitigate the level of infrared and UV light entering the house, and provide protection against storms. Generally, high-quality windows, preferably oversized ones offering breathtaking views of the surroundings, significantly upgrade a home’s appeal. In addition, integrating hurricane protection like roll-down hurricane shutters during initial design greatly amplifies desirability.
Drive-in Comfort
Florida homes often struggle with attic space and do not possess basements due to geographical constraints. In that case, a well-planned, large garage can be a valuable addition, providing practical storage space. Built-in cabinets, drawers, and toolboxes in the garage offer an organized way to keep belongings safe and shielded against pests.
More than Just a Garage
While a garage brings in ample storage, it may not cover all your storage requirements. Large storage areas, roomy pantries, and walk-in closets are other vital design elements for a standout home in Florida. Innovative utilization of underutilized spaces like the area under the stairs can offer additional functional spaces.
Flooring that Stands Up
The unique Floridian environment brings about certain elements, such as high humidity, sand, and water, that affect the flooring. Add to it the typical wear and tear from shoes, pets, and kids, the need for sturdy and easy-to-maintain flooring becomes imperative. The advent of new materials like vinyl plank flooring presents an attractive, resilient option that’s simple to clean and manage.
The Heart of the Home
Regardless of the house type, kitchens have always been the classic gathering place for loved ones, making it a dominant design area for your home. High-performance, easy-care countertops like granite or quartz, tall cabinets for storage, under-cabinet lighting for brightened prep zones, and energy-efficient smart appliances make kitchens sleek, contemporary and efficient.
In closing, the creation of your standout Florida Home is all about merging your personal preferences with the best design elements that resonate with your lifestyle. To achieve a home that mirrors your unique style and vision, enlist the experience and passion of professional architects like JTL Architects, who steer your journey from blueprints to construction. It’s time to begin your dream home journey in Sarasota.
