In the world of home construction and design, the magic doesn’t end with the holiday season. The New Year is the perfect time to begin laying plans for your dream home on the Carolina coast. What characterizes your quintessential Lowcountry living space? The iconic exteriors boasting magnificent columns, wrap-around porches, and brick steps? Or do you fantasize about aesthetically-pleasing interior spaces with multi-functional zones and top-of-the-line finishes? 

Whether your design tastes lean toward the traditional or the modern (or a bit of both), here are seven “resolutions” for your custom home in 2022.  

Put a little extra love into your screened porch 

• It’s no secret that Southerners love outdoor napping complete with a warm, coastal breeze. So what’s our suggestion? Combine comfort with style by installing a twin-size hanging swing bed on your screened porch. Get creative and include a canopy or decorative netting for comfortable lounging.

Create an outdoor living space built for entertaining 

• Nothing beats authentic Southern cooking – especially when enjoyed in view of our gorgeous coastal surroundings. Maximize your Lowcountry living experience by building a state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen complemented by an inviting fire pit. These spaces are sure to become the center of your outdoor gatherings!

Develop custom multi-purpose spaces

• Create multi-functional spaces by incorporating nooks and areas between rooms that can be utilized for a variety of purposes. Envision a carriage house turned children’s playroom or guest suite. How about a cigar-and-brandy entertainment space which doubles as a gameroom? If you are a plant enthusiast, picture creating the ultimate miniature greenhouse where you can socialize and relax. This is YOUR custom home—don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild!

Mix the old with the new

• Incorporate historic and traditional Lowcountry building materials and furnishings into both the interior and exterior of your home. A lovely heart pine floor, solid (yet charming) metal roofing, shutters for shading and cooling purposes, tabby stucco, and board and batten come to mind.

Let your light shine

• Let natural light be your guide! Install glass, bi-fold doors to offer opportunities for light and extra breezes. Giant, double-hung windows are always a Lowcountry prerequisite and windows with built-in seating offer Southern charm for every age.

Combine form and function in the kitchen

• Create the walk-in pantry of your dreams. As an added bonus, this will help keep your countertops and kitchen islands free of clutter! The ideal pantry includes shelves, drawers, a built-in spice rack, open shelving, and lazy Susan cabinetry. Establish hide-out spaces for kitchen appliances such as coffee pots, toasters, blenders and fryers to be stored out of sight.

Maximize your laundry room

• The laundry room is the backbone of the home, and a functional design is the key to keeping chores from overtaking your life. Here are some ideas to consider: a folding counter or table, a mounted sink, and drawers for spot removers, dryer sheets and other laundry essentials. Don’t forget about storage! Try including a fold-out ironing board station, hanging or drying racks, cubed shelving for detergents and soaps, and extra work surfaces or counter top areas.

The Lowcountry architectural style blends and celebrates notable features from the past alongside modern design and contemporary conveniences. If the gorgeous climate of South Carolina has captured your heart and you are considering constructing a custom home, we welcome you to get in touch with our talented design-build team. We are passionate about bringing your ideas to life and creating an ideal living space for your entire family. We might be biased, but there’s no better way to ring in the New Year than from the comforts of a new home. Cheers to 2022!