Is Oklahoma Trying Too Hard To Be Arizona? These Desert Exteriors Say Yes
Driving through Oklahoma neighborhoods these days feels like taking a wrong turn into Scottsdale. Traditional Midwestern home designs are being swapped for desert-inspired exteriors that seem plucked straight from Arizona suburbs.
The trend has homeowners ditching their classic Oklahoma aesthetics for Southwestern styles that look strangely out of place against the green prairie backdrop. Let’s examine the five most obvious signs that Oklahoma might be experiencing an identity crisis.
1. Cactus Landscaping Replacing Traditional Lawns
You know things have gone too far when Oklahoma front yards sprout saguaro cacti instead of bermuda grass. Local nurseries report skyrocketing sales of prickly pear and barrel cacti despite our humidity being totally wrong for these plants.
Homeowners are spending thousands on irrigation systems that actually prevent water retention – the opposite of what our clay-heavy soil needs. The result? Sad, rotting desert plants that clearly wish they’d stayed in Phoenix.
2. Earth-Toned Stucco and Adobe-Like Finishes
Remember when Oklahoma homes featured classic brick or vinyl siding? Now neighborhoods showcase sandy beige stucco and faux adobe finishes more suited to Tucson than Tulsa.
Contractors report a 300% increase in requests for these Southwestern treatments. Meanwhile, our extreme weather cycles of freezing winters and humid summers cause these finishes to crack and deteriorate rapidly. What looks charming in Arizona often becomes a maintenance nightmare in our climate.
3. Flat Rooflines and Minimal Overhangs
Architectural red flags wave wildly when I spot those trendy flat roofs popping up across Oklahoma. They might look sleek in Arizona’s dry climate, but here they’re practically begging for disaster during our famous thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes.
The minimal overhangs that complement this style offer almost zero protection from our sideways rain. Insurance agents tell me claims for water damage have multiplied in neighborhoods where these desert-inspired designs have taken hold. Form over function has never been so soggy!
4. Gravel Yards and Drought-Resistant Planting Trends
Walking past homes covered in decorative gravel instead of grass feels like Oklahoma is cosplaying as Arizona. These rock-covered yards turn into heat islands during our already scorching summers, raising temperatures and air conditioning bills simultaneously.
The trend extends to planting yucca and agave where azaleas and dogwoods once thrived. Local wildlife seems confused by the transformation – birds and butterflies searching for familiar plants find themselves navigating mini desert landscapes instead. Our ecosystem deserves better than this geographical identity theft!
5. Southwestern Details Like Wooden Beams and Metal Accents
Exposed wooden vigas jutting from exterior walls and hammered copper accents around entryways scream “I watched too many Santa Fe home tours on YouTube!” These decorative elements make zero architectural sense in our region.
Hardware stores now dedicate entire sections to these Southwestern embellishments. Neighborhood associations report heated debates about authenticity versus appropriation. The funniest part? Many homeowners installing these features have never even visited Arizona – they’re copying a desert aesthetic from social media while ignoring our rich regional architectural heritage.
