How The Homes Around You Influence Your Design Choices

When you’re thinking about changing things up in your home, you might look at paint swatches or buy some new furniture. Maybe you’re thinking on a grander scale and planning a major kitchen remodel. But before you make any big design decisions, take a walk around your neighborhood and see how your home fits.

Pay attention to how your home looks in relation to the other houses in the neighborhood. You don’t have to copy every other house on the block, but you should be aware of the overall vibe. Standing out too much isn’t always a good thing, and overimproving could even hurt your resale efforts.

Whether you’re planning to sell or stay in your home for the long haul, it’s important to find the balance between your style and the neighborhood aesthetic. Certain design choices simply won’t feel right or look like they don't belong if you don’t consider how your home fits into the landscape.

Your Home Isn’t An Island

Unless you literally live on a deserted island, your home is part of a community. When you walk or drive around your neighborhood, think about what you see. You may not even realize it, but you’re picking up on visual cues that likely influence what you want to do to your own home.

For example, if you notice a bunch of houses with well-manicured gardens, you may think about refreshing your landscaping. If the homes in your neighborhood have primarily neutral exteriors, you’re likely not going to paint your house purple, even if it is your favorite color.

However, if your neighborhood is full of colorful façades, then a purple paint job might look right at home on your street. In other words, when making design decisions about your house, consider the big picture.

Play The “Which Of These Homes Wasn’t Here Before” Game

Just for fun, drive through some older neighborhoods and see if you can spot which homes weren’t there originally. In many areas, the homes in a community were built during a similar time frame, so they typically share architectural features.

You can usually pinpoint a neighborhood that was established in the 1960s over one that’s been around since the 1920s or one built in the early 2000s. But as homes in those neighborhoods are bought and torn down to make way for new construction, that’s where the game begins.

Many people opt to build flashy, new homes more in keeping with the current trends rather than adhering to the overall style of the community. The result is that you can instantly recognize which homes weren’t there before, simply because they look out of place.

Eventually, the see-saw might lean the other way if more and more homes get bulldozed and replaced in that community. But in established neighborhoods, where most homes are remaining as-is, a complete overhaul will seem off, no matter how trendy or luxurious it looks.

The Same Goes For Inside The House

Even though you can’t readily see the inside of a home, the same principle applies. If you start making improvements in your home that don’t fit with other houses in the neighborhood, especially if you over-improve, be wary.

If it works for you and you plan to be in your home for a long time, you might not care. However, if you’re planning to sell within a few years, you could price yourself out of your local market and find it trickier to sell.

Why Do We Naturally Want Our Homes To “Fit In?”

People have a natural desire to fit into their surroundings, whether it’s clothing, vehicles, or homes. When the houses on a block look relatively cohesive, the overall area feels more put-together and inviting. This is why so many areas with HOAs have strict guidelines about exterior maintenance, paint colors, lawn care, etc.

When things are similar, it creates a visual consistency that most people find appealing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have cookie-cutter homes. But being aware of what your neighbors are doing can help you be more intentional about your choices.

Other Homes In The Neighborhood Shape Your Resale Value

If you’re not planning to sell, it’s still wise to consider how your home fits into the general landscape of your neighborhood. On one hand, if your home is the outlier, you could be hurting your neighbors’ chances of resale.

Surrounding homes create a sort of floor and ceiling when it comes to home values. If you undergo a major renovation and spend $100,000 on your kitchen, you may love every inch of it. However, if most homes in the area still have kitchens from 1990, you likely aren’t going to see much financial return.

On the flip side, if everyone in your neighborhood is making improvements, but you’re not, you could see your home’s value decrease. Buyers don’t just shop for houses; they shop neighborhoods, so make sure to consider where you live when you’re planning design changes.

The Neighborhood Architecture Influences Design Choices

The architecture in your neighborhood will influence your design decisions because certain things will naturally look better with the style of the homes. For example, what if the houses on your street are mid-century modern? In this case, fixtures with cleaner lines and simpler finishes will work better than overly detailed, ornate options.

Choose colors, fixtures, and fabrics that work with your home’s style instead of fighting against it. Embrace the architecture of your home and its era instead of trying to force it to be something it isn’t. 

Your Neighborhood’s Location Also Plays A Role In Design Choices

The region you live in also influences your design decisions. For example, if you live in a coastal area, you’ll often see lighter palettes and breezier materials. Houses in temperate, southern climates usually feature more heat-reflecting color choices.

The takeaway is that the climate and terrain of your neighborhood will come into play when you’re making choices about your home, inside and outside. When the houses around you were built with a certain climate or material approach, yours will look most natural following similar routes.

Neighborhoods Can Change, So Your Home’s Design May Change, Too

Real estate professionals notice transformation in neighborhoods quickly, because it affects market expectations. A neighborhood that is actively updating homes tends to attract buyers willing to pay more.

Alternatively, a neighborhood where nothing has been touched in decades might attract bargain hunters. However, it also limits the return on high-end renovation investments.

Use the homes around you as inspiration and guidance. Take a walk through your neighborhood and notice the various roof colors, siding materials, window styles, and landscaping choices. You’ll start to see patterns immediately.

Look at what architectural elements repeat throughout your neighborhood. Consider whether the design direction you’re taking will enhance that theme or fight against it.

Again, it’s not about copying your neighbor’s exact choices. It’s about reading the room, or in this case, reading the block. The most successful design choices usually combine personal taste with environmental awareness.

Balancing Your Style With The Neighborhood

Don’t stress about matching every trend around you. But do stay aware of what your neighbors are doing in terms of design to consider whether your choices are harmonious or disconnected. When you have a design change you’re thinking about, ask yourself, “Does this feel right in this neighborhood?”

Being aware of what’s changing around you helps you prioritize wisely. For example, if most homes in your area have updated windows and neutral paint, you may want to start there. That’s a strong hint to what buyers are expecting in your area.

Also, keep in mind that updates don’t have to happen on your neighbor’s schedule. Any time you plan to renovate, it’s best to do so at your own pace and in alignment with your personal budget.

Ultimately, you want your house to feel like yours, not be a replica of the house next door. But you also want your home to make sense visually. This balance is what keeps your home enjoyable to live in while also maintaining or increasing its value.

Design A House That Feels At Home In Your Neighborhood

At the end of the day, your home should reflect your personality, but understanding your neighborhood’s design DNA is another essential part of the puzzle. Taking the look of other homes into account helps you make choices that feel intentional and beautiful.

Plus, you’ll also make wiser investment decisions, which could put you in a better place if you decide to sell. But good design doesn’t mean you have to conform to everything your neighbors are doing. Just stay aware. As homes in your neighborhood start to transform, take notes, and keep an open mind about your design choices.

Related Guides:

• There's No Finish Line To Designing Your Home (And There Shouldn't Be)
• Designing A Kid-Friendly Home Without Sacrificing Style
• How To Make Your House A Home (Beyond Decor)