Right now, more homeowners than ever are rethinking their homes. Not because they want to move, but because they want to stay. The streetscape is changing. And one look at the rise of Hamptons Makeover homes tells you why.
White timber, gabled rooflines, oversized windows. They look like a breath of fresh sea air, even in the middle of suburbia. But before you start cladding your red brick beauty, there’s one question that matters most:
Can your home wear the Hamptons look without looking like it’s wearing a costume?
In fact, there are three critical mistakes that trip homeowners up before they even break ground:
- Going Hamptons upstairs without updating the downstairs, making your home look like two separate thoughts glued together.
- Forcing the look on a structure that can’t carry it, costing more than it gives back.
- Starting with finishes instead of clarity and ending up with style, but no soul.
So before you fall in love with Pinterest boards or mood palettes, take a moment to pause.
There are five crucial questions to help you avoid the common traps, stretch your budget further, and create a home that feels every bit as good as it looks.
Question #1: Will a Hamptons Makeover Actually Suit Your Home’s Structure?
Not every home is a natural candidate. Your current roofline, window shapes, and exterior materials all play a part. If you’re adding a second-storey extension, this is the golden window to unify your look. But if you’re working with a classic 70s red brick and hip roof, it may take more than white paint to pull it off.
One family we worked with had their heart set on Hamptons. The home? Solid brick, flat front, zero charm. But by recladding the lower floor, swapping out dated windows, and tweaking the roofline, the transformation was stunning. All in? About $45,000 extra – and worth every cent when the home hit the market.
Question #2: Are You Chasing Style Or Creating Long-Term Value?
Done well, Hamptons doesn’t just look good – it adds incredible value. Especially in areas where street appeal drives emotional pull. But here’s where it goes sideways: when the upstairs screams coastal luxury, and the downstairs still looks like 1985.
Half a makeover is worse than none. Buyers get confused. Value slips. And you’re left explaining why only half your house got the memo. If you’re investing, go all-in – or wait until you can.
Question #3: How Much More Will a Hamptons-Style Extension Cost?
Compared to a standard second-storey addition, a full Hamptons treatment might add around $50k. That includes wide eaves, decorative gables, premium cladding, bigger windows – the works.
But what you get back is more than resale. It’s presence. Light. Air. The kind of home that catches eyes and lifts moods before anyone even steps through the front door.
Question #4: Will It Feel Like a Beach Escape Or a Coastal Clash?
A Hamptons design in the right setting is magic. Think: natural light, soft palettes, breezy rooms. But drop it in a street full of red brick boxes, and it can feel more like a show pony than a sanctuary.
So ask yourself: Are you building to blend or to lead? Are you planting the flag for what’s next in your street? Because when the style fits, and the suburb supports it, you’re not just adding space. You’re creating a lifestyle.
Question #5: Are You Doing it For Her (Or For Both of You)?
Here’s what we see often: the second-storey build starts as a space play. More room for kids. A separate retreat. Maybe a home office. But the Hamptons twist? That usually comes from one partner. The one with the Pinterest boards.
And here’s the thing – they’re right.
Because when it’s done well, it isn’t just beautiful. It’s emotional. It feels like a fresh start. Like your home finally reflects who you are now, not who you were ten years ago.
We had one couple say it best: “It feels like we’re living in the kind of place we used to drive past and wish we owned.”
So, is a Hamptons Makeover the Right Call For Your Home?
A Hamptons makeover isn’t about paint and cladding. It’s about identity. It’s about creating a space you’re proud to come home to.
But like anything worthwhile, it starts with clarity. So before you chase trends or stretch your budget, ask the questions that matter.
Because the best homes don’t just look stunning on the outside. They feel right on the inside.
Want help getting it right? Download our free guide:
Build With Confidence: 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing A New Home
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- How to avoid the most common budget blowouts (and the one decision that makes or breaks your costings)
- Why good design is about flow, not just floorplans
- The structural red flags that could derail your extension before it starts
- How to make your home feel brand new without losing its soul
- The simple planning mistake that delays builds by months (and how to sidestep it)
It’s short, sharp, and designed to help you build smarter, not just bigger.
Read more about the close knit family behind your stunning Edwards Family Home, a proud partner of APB, and HIA.
