Part of the work of architects is to figure out how to make a new build fit in with its surroundings. After all, you don’t want homes to stick out like a sore thumb. Unfortunately, not all builders get it right, and now many homeowners are saddled with properties that draw undue attention.
If your house is in the countryside and stands alone, you can pretty much get away with whatever style you like. But if, like most people, you live along a residential street, style matters. You don’t want to be the odd one out.
So how do you make your home fit in with the surrounding areas? What principles can you use to guide you? Check out the following ideas:
Bend And Curve Your Home And Landscaping With The Rest Of The Street
Even if your home is in the same style as the rest of the properties on your street, it might stick out at an awkward angle, blocking views and disrupting the flow of other house fronts.
One idea, therefore, is to change the shape of your landscaping (and even the front of your property) to make it bend and weave with the rest of the road.
Some bungalow owners, for instance, are adding small sections of cladding and curved bay windows to help their properties align better with those on the rest of the street.
Adjust Your Exterior Cladding Materials To Reflect The Area
Every region in the country traditionally used different cladding materials, depending on what was available in the local area. Carrying that forward is important for permitted development in conservation area hot spots. But it isn’t just about planning permission. It’s also about using materials that help your property chime with the character of the area.
Adjusting your exterior cladding materials is actually one of the simplest things that you can do. If you’re using pebbledash, but everyone else has timberwork, you can remove the stone and replace it with wooden paneling. It is surprisingly simple.
You can also become a leader in your area if you wish, replacing any generic exterior facings with something more traditional. This unilateral action can encourage other residents to up their game too.
Keep Forested Areas
If you’re lucky enough to live in a forested area, then the trend right now is to do whatever you can to keep it.
A lot of developers are now leaving traditional woodland intact and designing their new builds around it. Some are even constructing properties in clearings amongst the trees and building paths that snake towards the houses. No driveways!
Sink Your Property Into The Ground
Okay, this last idea might not be particularly practical for the majority of homeowners, but it is something that people are increasingly trying to minimize the above-ground impact of their designs.
By sinking houses slightly lower, the first floor is closer to ground level. That opens up a raft of viewing opportunities while reducing the overall height of the build. Usually, you’ll have to start a design like this from scratch, but it is one-hundred percent worth it once complete and can help you enjoy your home more.