Bolstering appreciation for a 2025 exterior decoration style trend
Crack open the imagination and picture a quintessential Southern abode. You're likely envisioning some key elements: a welcoming front porch, lush azaleas or hydrangeas accentuating the scene, and a friendly walkway inviting neighbors and friends. The South sure knows how to nail that je ne sais quoi when it comes to curb appeal, creating exteriors that ooze warmth, practically begging you to stop by for a quick chat over a cup of sugar.
In 2025, there's a new, expert-approved curb appeal trend that tugs on our Southern hospitality heartstrings. Adam Millhouse, founder of the Millhouse Howell Landscape Company in good old Birmingham, Alabama, is spearheading this trend with a focus on belting out an even warmer welcome. "If there's enough space, we always aim to include a landing or a terrace as part of the home's entrance," says Millhouse, adding, "This area can often serve as a mini-foyer before the actual foyer and be a perfect spot to gather before entering or leaving the house."
It's not just about making a stellar first impression, Millhouse clarifies; this approach is about fostering interaction and community. "If this area is large enough for a couple of chairs or a bench, even better," he says, "A seating arrangement, even if small, can make for a desirable destination to engage in conversations with neighbors, relegating the traditional walkway to the role of a mere entrance and exit pathway."

If your home doesn't already sport such an inviting platform or terrace, fret not, because this charm-boosting trend is simple to embrace. Just position a couple of Adirondack chairs near your front stoop or expand the area by setting up cheerful planters along the sidewalk leading up to the porch. These tweaks are guaranteed to get your neighbors lingering awhile longer, and they'll offer you a primo spot to soak in the yard's beauty and. hey, maybe even establish a rapport with passersby.
If you're feeling inspired to give your curb appeal the Millhouse touch, sally forth and give those terraces or landings a try! And if a full-blown landscaping overhaul isn't in the cards, don't despair—small and simple improvements to your front stoop or sidewalk are sure to bring a smidgen of that Southern charm your way!
In 2025, a new curb appeal trend is emerging, inspired by Southern hospitality and spearheaded by Adam Millhouse from Millhouse Howell Landscape Company in Birmingham, Alabama. This trend involves incorporating a landing or terrace at the home's entrance, creating a mini-foyer and a desirable spot for interaction. If space allows, seating arrangements can be added to encourage conversations with neighbors.
To implement this trend, you can position Adirondack chairs near your front stoop or set up cheerful planters along the sidewalk leading up to the porch. These small changes, inspired by Southern Living, will not only improve your home's curb appeal but also encourage community and foster deeper connections with neighbors in Homewood, Alabama, by 2025.