Originating as the style of choice for New York’s elite, the Hamptons style home has since become a mainstay in Australia. With a few tweaks to suit the Aussie climate, Hamptons-style homes work on both an aesthetic and functional level. Bringing a relaxed, coastal charm to your house – whether you actually live near the beach or not – the Hamptons facade is popular for a wide range of houses, including family homes, holiday houses or as a lovely place to spend your retirement. So why has this facade become a staple for Aussie houses across the country? Let’s kick back and take a look at Hampton facade design, the pros and cons, and whether it may be the ideal exterior design for you.
What are the key design features of a Hamptons facade?
Over the years, the Hamptons style has become more flexible in terms of what you can feature. Even the Australian version of the style has evolved quite a bit from its New York origins. Some key features define what makes the design distinct from other house designs out there.
Hamptons facade materials
In a traditional Hamptons façade timber and natural materials. Weatherboard cladding is the classic choice of facade creating that signature look that people associate with Hamptons Style Homes. In recent years, people have used other materials including fibrecement, PVC and even stone to create the Hamptons house look.
Hamptons facade colours
The key to a traditional Hamptons-style home colour palette is to capture a relaxed, coastal vibe. White is the dominant colour in most Hamptons-style home designs, so think whitewashed walls and light blues and greens and similar warm tones. Pastels are another hallmark and can even be used as your base colour. Basically, if it makes you think of the beach it should work for a Hamptons-style house and neutral tones will rarely go astray. If you want to liven things up or try something different, modern Hamptons designs often include bolder accent colours such as charcoal, soft grey or duck egg blue, which add a bit of pop without clashing too much with the original aesthetic.
Then some designs break away from traditional colour palettes and use colours including matte black. We say if you can make it work, go for it!
Hamptons facade lighting
Allowing natural light into the home is a huge part of the appeal of the Hamptons-inspired home. This works in the coastal atmosphere of your home by bringing the beautiful weather into your home. How to achieve this? Think of large windows, wall-sized glass doors, and open plans that encourage natural light.
Hamptons facade texture
The Weatherboard exterior is a signature of Australian Hamptons styling, meaning the typical Hamptons exterior has a horizontal slate look. Clean lines and natural colours are both classic textures for this style of house, however, modern versions often deviate from this pattern.
Other common Hamptons facade features
Some of the key features of the Hamptons-style house not mentioned above include
- Plantation shutters
- Window Trims (accent colour or white trims)
- Soft furnishings
- Anything that embraces a coastal vibe
Hamptons design inspiration from Australian home builders
Patterson – by McCarthy
Double-storey house that incorporates weatherboard exterior, stone and colorbond steel.
Libson – by Coral Homes
Long Bay – by G.J. Gardener Homes
What are the benefits of a Hamptons facade?
Affordable, Luxury Look: Though seen as a representation of luxury, Hamptons homes can be surprisingly affordable if you play your cards. Remember, you can have a Hamptons-inspired home designs
Timeless style: The Hamptons look has become a mainstay with Australian homes and this trend doesn’t look to be going anywhere soon.
Suits a wide range of environments: Though originally designed for coastal areas of Long Island, the Hamptons style has long been adapted to suit a variety of locales including suburbia and even rural Australia.
Open Floor Plan creates a welcoming feel: Open living spaces and floor plans not only open up the interior of the house but also allow natural light and breezes into your home.
What are the drawbacks of a Hamptons facade?
Lacks uniqueness: Depending on what you’re after in a facade, the popularity of the Hamptons home might be a turn-off. If you’re after something more distinct, a different design will suit you better.
Not as trendy: Hamptons is often seen as a safe bet but that doesn’t mean the same thing as trendy. Following trends has pros and cons. While it means you’re home will be modern and well-regarded now, we can all think of trends that didn’t age well.
How much does a Hamptons facade cost?
An exact price is hard to give without knowing the specifics of your home, however, Hamptons facade is usually one of the builders’ more pricey exterior designs. Expect to pay a few extra thousand than you would for some of the more affordable options.
How does a Hamptons Facade Perform?
Weather resistance
Whatever design of home you decide to build, it is crucial to take into consideration your surrounding environment and the climate of the area. A house being built in North Queensland will have to contend with an entirely different climate than a house down in Melbourne. The Australian climate can be an unpredictable beast, so your builder should be aware of any potential issues your house will need to face.
Sound and thermal insulation
Hampton-style homes will need additional insulation, as weatherboard cladding usually won’t be enough on its own. Insulation will need to be installed within the walls of your house to provide adequate warmth.
Mould resistance
Hamptons houses tend to be made from timber, so there is a slightly higher chance of mould, especially in humid areas like Queensland. While weatherboard is built to breathe and provide natural ventilation, this won’t guarantee that mould won’t grow. The best approach to this problem is to treat any sign of mould ASAP. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it will be to get rid of.
Are Hamptons facades sustainable?
It depends on the materials you use, where you’re building and the building company you choose to work with. Timber, brick and steel can all be recycled and some weatherboard is made from recycled materials. Working in most Hamptons style homes favour is the open floor plan which allows light into the home and assists with keeping the house at a comfortable temperature.
Our tips for choosing a facade for your new home
- Consider where you’re building. Working with your surroundings will help bring your exterior to life.
- Look at other houses in your neighbourhood. While you don’t want your house to be a carbon copy, you don’t want to clash too much with the vibe of the neighbourhood.
- Talk to your builder about the climate in the area you’re building in and choose a facade that works best with your environment.
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