Florida is such an interesting state that “Florida style home” is a thing. It evolves and includes different types that you’ll find in and outside Florida.
The Sunshine State is known for its stretch of gorgeous coastline, palm trees, lush landscaping, and the gorgeous Florida style houses.
What is the Florida Style?
The Florida style is not constant and has evolved to include three different substyles. First is Colonial, and it’s great for hot weather and lighting. Second is the classic beach-style house that is casual and designed to resist natural disasters like floods and storms. Last, it’s the modern style. It is referred to as the “fortress,” and it’s a mixture of Mediterranean style and tropical style features such as the spacious balconies and the open layouts. In this article, you’ll learn more about this style and decide if it’s the right choice for you if you are trying to buy a house.
Florida style homes are supposed to provide comfort, relaxation, and effectiveness through the verandas, roofs, and the big windows that air out the house. It is based upon making the entire house cooler during the hot months thanks to its curtains, furniture, and bricks. Also called “Vernacular,” Florida style homes were built in the 19th century with materials that are available in a certain region without the involvement of architects. To this day, Florida style homes perfectly combine essential elements and design aspects that create welcoming and breezing homes.
There are a few elements that you’ll find in almost every Florida style home. The inside is all about open floor plans, neutral colors, and wood floor, and the back is connected to the front through a hall for airflow. In the exterior, you’ll find porches, low roofs, and wood frames.
Interior Features
Light colors: As the main theme is cool and breezy, light-colored paint is a must in order to keep the house airy and spacious looking.
Hardwood floors: Wood floors are more popular than rugs in Florida style houses to avoid the heat and keep the rooms calm.
High ceilings: Low ceilings transfer more heat than high ceilings.
Low lounge rooms: Entering a room and getting a good view directly through the windows is a great plus ( especially if the house is waterfront).
Mirrors: To give the illusion of extra space and enhance the beauty of the windows’ views, Florida style homes use mirrors and light colors.
Tropical elements: Due to the proximity to the coast, these homes naturally have a dominant tropical theme demonstrated in colors and decor.
Front-to-back hallways: Hallways mean more airflow and a more relaxed house. The front is connected to the back through an open floor plan or corridors that often lead to the beach at the back. Many Floridians still rely on the airflow instead of air conditioners.
Exterior Features
Most Florida homes have 1-story with no basement. They usually have sprawling flames and incorporate Spanish or Mediterranean architectures.
Tiled roofs with slopes: They help distribute the heat evenly through different rooms and provide the most shade possible for the house to keep it cool.
Spacious outdoor space for entertainment: Most Florida homes use the outside for sports, barbecuing, and many other activities. Which is why you’ll usually find pools, decks, and verandas.
Wooden shutters: They keep the windows to stay open all the time, as another measure to beat Florida’s heat.
Many windows: Florida style homes rely on the use of windows of all different sizes and shapes for beachfront views, lighting, and wind flow.
Gardens: Low maintenance plants and trees are an additional source of shade and beauty.
Neutral Color Paint: They keep the outside from absorbing the heat and help reflect the sunlight.
Furniture :
Florida homes rely on Boho decor in most aspects. On the outside, you’ll mostly find relaxed verandas and shack roofs, and furniture is made of sturdy wood, which complements the high-quality wood.
Furniture is carefully placed inside the house to allow the much possible airflow and to keep the house as spacious looking as possible. It is unlikely that you’ll find many chairs and tables in Florida style homes as Floridians enjoy the outdoors more. Rugs are also rare, and they are usually in a neutral color in the bedrooms.
Materials
Whether we’re talking about the interior or the exterior, hard, strong wood is the star of the show. Cedar and Cherry are two popular choices as they bring the perfect color to the house’s pastel palette and resilient enough to resist humidity. Silver metallic accents are common in Florida style homes as they add more elegance and simplicity to any room. Shiplap cladding, stucco, and cedar shingles are all common. For pathways, Floridians tend to use red bricks for a pop of color that contrasts the neutral cold colors inside and outside Florida style homes.
Florida Style is great for so many reasons. It is both classy and elegant and helps you relax and be comfortable. It still maintains the rustic style of the old homes in Florida during the 19th and 20th centuries. Even though most modern homes are more sound and spacious, the style’s chic and simplistic aspect is still preserved. The old houses were designed with efficient elements such as deep porches and front-to-back hallways that are still relevant today. Neutral colors provide a simplistic and elegant element to the place and are contrasted by dark-colored tiling or red bricks.
Florida style holds a special place in history and popular culture. Ernest Hemingway’s home, for instance, is one of the most visited homes in the Keys area. It perfectly portrays the Florida home style from its beautiful views to its tasteful design.
If you are considering buying a house, you should definitely opt for Florida style. The wide porches provide space for gathering and outdoor activities, and the minimalist decor allows for more airflow and comfort.
Homes don’t have to adopt an individual style. Besides Vernacular, Both Spanish and Mediterranean can be added to the mix remarkably. These two styles emerged in regions with a similar climate to Florida, making them seem just as cool and breezy as Florida home design.
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