13 Ways Southern Style Adds Charm To Homes In Aurora
Southern style has made its way north to Aurora, bringing warmth and hospitality to our homes.
These design elements create spaces that feel both elegant and welcoming, perfect for our community’s blend of modern living and traditional values.
By incorporating these Southern touches, Aurora homeowners are discovering how to create spaces that invite conversation, relaxation, and that special sense of ‘home sweet home’ that Southern design does so well.
1. Wraparound Porches
Nothing says Southern charm quite like a wraparound porch extending the living space outdoors. In Aurora, these architectural features create perfect spots for watching summer thunderstorms roll across the plains or enjoying cool fall evenings.
Families gather here for morning coffee or evening conversations, protected from the elements while still enjoying fresh air. The extended outdoor living area becomes a natural transition between home and garden.
Many Aurora homeowners are adding these porches to existing homes, complete with ceiling fans and comfortable seating. It’s like adding an extra room that connects you to nature and neighbors simultaneously a true Southern tradition that fits perfectly in our community.
2. Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters bring instant Southern elegance to Aurora homes while solving practical light control issues. These wide-louvered window coverings allow homeowners to adjust sunlight precisely, protecting furniture from harsh Colorado sun while maintaining privacy.
The clean lines and classic white finish brighten rooms and complement any décor style. Unlike curtains that collect dust, these shutters need just occasional wiping to stay pristine. I’ve noticed more Aurora homes installing these shutters in place of blinds or drapes.
The investment pays off in both aesthetics and function adding a touch of Southern refinement while handling our unique climate needs. When painted in crisp white, they create that unmistakable plantation-style look that never goes out of fashion.
3. Wrought Iron Railings
Wrought iron railings add that distinctive Southern flair to Aurora homes through their ornate patterns and timeless elegance. The scrollwork and detailed designs showcase craftsmanship that mass-produced options simply can’t match.
These railings transform ordinary staircases and porches into architectural focal points. Durable enough to withstand Colorado’s varied climate, they require minimal maintenance while providing decades of beauty. Many Aurora homeowners are choosing custom wrought iron designs that reflect their personal style while honoring Southern traditions.
The contrast of dark iron against lighter home exteriors creates dramatic visual interest. When combined with climbing roses or flowering vines in summer, these railings perfectly blend Southern romance with Colorado’s natural beauty creating spaces that feel both sophisticated and warmly inviting.
4. White Picket Fences
White picket fences instantly bring Southern charm to Aurora neighborhoods with their clean lines and nostalgic appeal. These iconic boundaries define property lines while remaining welcoming rather than imposing perfectly embodying Southern hospitality in architectural form.
Modern versions made from vinyl or composite materials stand up to Colorado’s intense sun and occasional hail without the maintenance traditional wood requires. The bright white contrasts beautifully against green lawns and colorful garden beds. If you’re looking to enhance curb appeal, few additions make as immediate an impact as these classic fences.
They frame front yards and create charming garden spaces that feel both protected and inviting. When paired with climbing roses or flowering shrubs, these fences create that unmistakable Southern garden aesthetic that makes neighbors slow down to admire the view.
5. Rocking Chairs on the Porch
Rocking chairs transform ordinary Aurora porches into inviting Southern-style retreats where time seems to slow down. These iconic pieces aren’t just furniture they’re invitations to pause, connect, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Wooden rockers in classic styles or modern interpretations create instant ambiance. Add colorful cushions that complement your home’s exterior and suddenly you’ve created an outdoor living space that beckons family and friends. Did you know rocking chairs actually provide health benefits?
The gentle motion reduces stress and improves circulation. In Aurora’s varied climate, these chairs create year-round enjoyment from watching summer thunderstorms roll in to being bundled up with hot cocoa during early fall evenings. The rhythmic motion and comfortable seating make these chairs the perfect spot for neighborhood conversations or quiet contemplation.
6. Warm, Earthy Color Palettes
Warm, earthy color palettes bring Southern comfort to Aurora homes through rich terracottas, buttery yellows, and gentle sage greens. These colors create spaces that feel immediately welcoming and established, as though the home has stories to tell.
Unlike cool, contemporary colors that can feel stark against Colorado’s landscape, these warmer tones complement our natural surroundings. They create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, especially important in our indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The magic of these Southern-inspired colors lies in their versatility.
They work equally well in traditional and modern homes, creating backgrounds that showcase both antiques and contemporary pieces. When painted on walls with textured finishes, these colors take on additional depth that changes beautifully throughout the day as natural light shifts bringing that special Southern glow to Aurora interiors.
7. Antique Accent Furniture
Antique accent furniture pieces bring Southern heritage and character to Aurora homes through their rich patinas and historical significance. A single heirloom piece whether a roll-top desk, carved side table, or vintage hutch adds instant soul to even the most contemporary spaces.
These treasures tell stories through their worn edges and craftsmanship from eras when things were built to last generations. Unlike mass-produced furniture, these pieces have unique personalities that become conversation starters. Aurora homeowners are discovering local antique shops and estate sales where Southern pieces can be found surprisingly affordably.
When mixed with modern elements, these antiques create that collected-over-time look that defines Southern interiors. The warmth of aged wood and the character of hand-crafted details bring a sense of history and permanence that new homes especially benefit from grounding spaces with authentic charm impossible to replicate with reproductions.
8. Crown Molding Details
Crown molding transforms ordinary Aurora rooms into spaces with Southern architectural distinction and elegance. These detailed trims create visual transitions between walls and ceilings, drawing the eye upward and adding dimension to otherwise plain spaces.
While simple crown molding makes a subtle statement, more elaborate Southern-inspired profiles with multiple layers create truly dramatic effects. The shadows and highlights formed by these details add depth that flat walls simply cannot achieve. Modern materials make installation more accessible for today’s homeowners. Lightweight polyurethane options offer the look of traditional plaster at fraction of the weight and cost.
When painted in glossy white against softer wall colors, these moldings create that classic Southern formal feeling. Even in newer Aurora homes with open floor plans, crown molding helps define separate areas while maintaining visual flow bringing architectural character that makes spaces feel thoughtfully designed.
9. Traditional Lantern Lighting
Traditional lantern lighting fixtures bring Southern hospitality to Aurora homes through their warm glow and distinctive silhouettes. These charming lights welcome guests at entryways and illuminate outdoor living spaces with a soft, flattering light that feels instantly inviting.
Modern versions come with updated features like LED bulbs and dusk-to-dawn sensors while maintaining classic designs. The combination of black metal frames with clear or seeded glass creates those distinctive shadow patterns that add texture to walls and pathways. Where are the best places for these fixtures? Front porches, flanking garage doors, and along garden paths all benefit from their distinctive style.
In Aurora’s climate, gas lanterns aren’t practical, but electric versions capture the same aesthetic without the maintenance. When scaled properly to your home’s architecture, these lights become architectural jewelry that enhances curb appeal day and night a hallmark of thoughtful Southern design.
10. Wide-Plank Wood Floors
Wide-plank wood floors instantly bring Southern warmth and character to Aurora homes through their generous proportions and natural beauty. Unlike standard narrow strips, these boards typically 5 inches or wider create fewer seam lines for a more expansive, luxurious look.
The history behind these floors adds to their appeal. Early Southern homes featured wide planks because they were easier to harvest from virgin forests. Today’s versions offer this historical look with modern durability. Engineered wide planks solve Colorado’s humidity challenges while providing authentic appearance.
The broader surface showcases wood’s natural grain patterns and knots that get lost in narrower boards. When finished in warmer tones rather than trendy grays, these floors develop a patina over time that only enhances their beauty. The satisfying solidness underfoot and subtle creaks remind us of generations who’ve walked similar floors bringing timeless Southern comfort to our mountain-adjacent homes.
11. Statement Entryways
Statement entryways create unforgettable first impressions in Aurora homes through their Southern-inspired grandeur and attention to detail. Double doors with transom windows, sidelights, and architectural pediments transform ordinary entrances into welcoming focal points that set the tone for the entire home.
The beauty of these entryways lies in their proportions and materials. Solid wood doors with raised panels, decorative glass inserts, or custom paint colors make personal statements while honoring Southern traditions. Are you considering a front door upgrade?
Even modest homes benefit from this Southern touch. Hardware matters too substantial door knockers, mailboxes, and house numbers in aged brass or black iron complete the look. When flanked by symmetrical planters or topiaries, these entryways create that quintessential Southern welcome. The investment pays dividends in both curb appeal and the daily pleasure of coming home through a doorway designed to feel special.
12. Classic Brick Facades
Classic brick facades bring Southern architectural heritage to Aurora homes through their timeless appeal and substantial presence. The textural quality and natural color variations of brick create instant character that new construction often lacks.
Unlike trendy exterior finishes that quickly date, brick remains eternally elegant. It also performs exceptionally well in Colorado’s climate extremes, providing natural insulation against both summer heat and winter cold. Many Aurora homeowners are choosing brick accents rather than full facades perhaps a statement wall or chimney that anchors the home visually.
Traditional red brick offers that classic Southern look, while whitewashed or German smear techniques provide updated interpretations. When combined with black shutters and white trim, brick creates that unmistakable Southern aesthetic that feels both sophisticated and approachable. The investment in quality masonry pays dividends in both reduced maintenance and enduring curb appeal that improves with age.
13. Tall Ceilings with Ceiling Fans
Tall ceilings with ceiling fans create those airy, gracious spaces that define Southern interiors while serving practical purposes in Aurora’s climate. The added height—ideally 10 feet or higher makes rooms feel instantly more spacious and elegant without increasing square footage. Ceiling fans aren’t just decorative elements but essential for comfort.
They circulate air efficiently during summer months and push warm air downward during winter—perfect for Colorado’s varied seasons. The selection of fan styles makes a significant design statement. Traditional wood-blade fans with antique bronze finishes bring authentic Southern plantation style, while updated versions with clean lines work in transitional homes.
When properly sized to the room and mounted at the correct height, these fans become architectural focal points. The gentle movement and soft white noise they create adds to the relaxed Southern atmosphere making tall-ceilinged rooms feel both grand and comfortable simultaneously.
