Looking For Cape Cod Home Inspiration? Here’s A Handy Set Of Cues
A Cape Cod house style and its coastal cues make it probably one of the most interesting and unique architectural designs to be born in America. Before a long history of modern design updates, Cape Cod designed homes were left over by the British colonists as they traveled to the “New World” in pursuit of liberty and new opportunities. This practical housing style was in vogue for several centuries and eventually became the preferred home style for many Americans.
Even in 2019, the style still remains on-trend as architectural research has shown that the Cape Cod home style is still the most preferred architectural design choice for many homeowners in North America. But what makes the style so viable and what are some timeless Cape Cod home ideas?
A traditional Cape Cod home is usually characterized by a dimensional and a rectangular footprint demonstrated on a gable pitch roof. Designed for efficient construction and easy heating in mind, this historical home decor style is still the top choice of many design enthusiasts in the country thanks to its enduring appeal.
To further illustrate it prowess and let you know how to get the look, Décor Aid interior designers have revealed the history of the Cape Cod home style, how it looks like in a modern-day design setting, and we’ll share some Cape Cod home ideas as well as tips on how to transform your home into an unforgettably unique Cape Cod home.
THE HISTORY OF THE CAPE COD HOME
It was, in fact, the puritan carpenters who initially brought the Cape Cod home style to America. Back then the climate was much harsher and more challenging, and Americans had this to contend with during both summer and winter. Hence, they had to opt for a design style choice that was durable and protective from the trying elements outside.
Early Cape Cod houses were built with wood soaked in pine or oak and covered with clapboard or shingles for a textural shell to withstand weather conditions of all kinds. Cape Cod houses were also characterized by low ceilings and chimney doors that provided the warmth that the residents needed during harsh weather seasons. The name “Cape Cod” was coined during the historic visit of Rev. Timothy Dwight IV, the President of Yale University, to the town of Cape Cod in 1800.
As time went on, the Cape Cod home-style became a popular choice among many Americans, and gradually it meta-morphed from simply planned structures to larger abodes. These additions increased the space of a modern Cape Cod home without taking away the design styles delightful charm. Even in previous decades, there have been several variations to the Cape Cod home decor style, and of course, the same continues well into today.
CAPE COD HOUSE IDEAS
No doubt, you love every aspect of the design of a typical Cape Cod home, and you want to bring in these Cape Cod house design ideas into your own home. The good news is that you can transform your home into an ideal Cape Cod home without breaking the bank and it doesn’t have to be from scratch.
With the right methods, hacks, and tips, you’ll be set to start your own Cape Cod transformation. Whether you need inspiration for a refreshing take on Cape Cod house interior design ideas or you want the exterior of your home to evoke the charming feel of a Cape Cod home, the following tips will be sure to inspire and help you.
CAPE COD HOUSE EXTERIOR IDEAS
Since signature Cape Cod houses are usually small in size, you might need to think practically about the exterior look of your home as you update it since the look often works with limited living space. For your roof, use natural shingles since they can transform the look of your home into one with a tried and true Cape Cod feel. Remember that Cape Cod homes of the past worked with more of a symmetrical pattern and were characterized by dormers which are now also a modern design feature.
So, you might need to add up to four dormers to create an authentic look, depending on the size of your home or structure. Install shutters on your Cape Cod home whether or not you really need and will use them. Shutters are among the primary features of many Cape Cod homes in the past, and they still look timeless to this day. And they can be closed and opened according to the weather conditions outside.
For the exterior, you can paint your shutters with some timeless colors as they won’t limit your design but they will enhance the look. A cape cod exterior isn’t complete without a white picket fence. No matter where you live, a white picket fence should be considered a must for your Cape Cod home as they are a definitive signature of the architectural design style. And be sure to give your landscaping a stylish edge that will be sure to inspire your guests as they take in the view from your lawn.
As much as possible, do include wildflowers in yard of your Cape Cod to beautify its exterior with an idyllic feel. Cape Cods in the earlier part of the last century were characterized by beautiful gardens with little space left for a grand lawn, but instead were a haven for butterflies and other beautiful creatures. If you want to enrich your Cape Cod house exterior ideas and transform your home into a restrained and classic one, you could also consider roses for the exterior and ivy as well.
CAPE COD HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS
If you though that wood was only reserved for the exterior of a typical Cape Cod home and nowhere else, well, you’ve thought wrong. In actuality, you might need to have a rethink about the best materials to create a Cape Cod home as right inside a Cape Cod home often lies a classic wooden floor. Wooden floors in a Cape Cod home have been trending since the beginning of the timeless design style, so you should consider them for your own take.
When it comes to Cape Cod house paint colors, it’s common to find soothing pastel color palettes in many Cape Cod homes no matter the era they were built. When the Cape Cod design style first came into vogue, many of the rooms of the era were small and their ceilings were low – making them challenging to contend with.
When it comes to Cape Cod furnishings, aside from pretty pastels, sage greens and a particularly subtle butter yellow characterized the furnishings of a classic Cape Cod home, so be sure to consider introducing these colors into your Cape Cod house renovation ideas.
And when it comes to small spaces and the beauty of pastels, be sure to also choose shades that will capture as much natural light as possible that will distribute natural light around the home for a more radiant look that will also make each room appear larger and brighter. When your home starts to evoke the look of a typical beach house, you can transform the look inside your home by bringing in the perfect charming Cape Cod beach house decorating ideas.
Even if your Cape Cod exterior has a plain look that’s subtle, nothing should stop you from creating a sophisticated look inside. With little effort and the right Cape Cod home ideas like these, you can create a defining impact in your Cape Cod interior. Consider built-in shelves as an essential in your living room when renovating your home to evoke a Cape Cod look and feel. Built-in bookshelves are terrific for making use of dead wall space and they’ll allow you for more decor space to display cherished collectibles.
To keep the look subtle and the eye moving, your shelves should be finished with the same color as your wall paint to reflect the perfect sense of timeless elegance and consistency.
If you love the look of beadboard or shiplap, which are white-washed wooden panels, you might want to think of the best way to add them in your kitchen. White wooden paneling makes for a convincing take on Cape Cod home kitchen ideas that will let you add an idyllic sense of calm in your home. A handsomely hued modern kitchen cabinet paired together with a beadboard can transform the overall look of your kitchen instantly.
And although they are more of a modern take on house layouts, open living spaces can give your Cape Cad home the updated facelift it needs. Your living room can be either airy or enclosed, but it should have an open design to channel the familial Cape Cod design setting that was trending centuries ago.
Bring your Cape Cod home ideas up to date with the layered lighting throughout your home. Replace harsh and clinical standard lighting in your home with something new and exciting with a statement look and feel like an oversized pendant light fixture.
Many cape cod homes have one or two dormers (a window that projects vertically from a sloping roof) that modify the height of the structure. Use that space to create a luxurious bedroom with the coziest nook. Add one or two chairs and a table to keep it cozy and comforting. Thus, making it a place where you can spend all day relaxing and reading.
Cape Cod styled homes aren’t new in terms of architectural hallmarks, they have been around for centuries and now have been updated and redefined to reflect a more sophisticated feel that will never go out of style. These Cape Cod home ideas will be sure to help you replicate the classic design style both with your home decor and the overall look of your home.