Rustic and country living is “in.” As such, of the 53% of American homeowners who believe now is the best time to renovate homes, a good deal of them are working with some of the best architects in the U.S. on beautiful and stylish colonial home renovations. What constitutes a colonial home? How can homeowners redesign or custom build homes true to the colonial style?

What Are Colonial Homes Exactly?

“Colonial houses developed out of the U.S. Colonial period in the 1700s,” the San Francisco Chronicle explains. What’s more, “Colonial homes combine understated elegance with a touch of history, and a variety of unique touches developed through regional influences,” according to ePlans.com. There are also several subsets of these designs and thereby Colonial home renovations, such as Dutch Colonial and Colonial Georgian.

It’s All In The Details

Whether you are working on a true Colonial home renovation or you are remodeling your home to resemble Colonial architecture, there are several standout features and elements that truly bring the Colonial style to life. Colonial homes are well-known for their symmetry. The door will be in the middle of the home, with two, equidistant windows on either side of it. Exteriors largely consist of wood or brick, and they may also feature columns or pillars, shutters, gables, or dormers.

Of course, renovation and design go hand-in-hand. What are some things you are likely to find inside Colonial homes? Large hearths, framed embroidery, simple wood furniture, and wooden fixtures and accents all complement a Colonial style home. On a broader level, the San Francisco Chronicle recommends, “To match the home, Colonial-style decoration needs to be unpretentious and direct — a guest walking into a house will ideally feel at home.”

A Colonial home is elegant and comfortable. Ask contemporary architects about the resurgence of Colonial homes and whether these renovations are right for you.