For years, the story went the same way: You grew up in a small town and left for something bigger. The Lowcountry lifestyle, especially in its quieter Southern corners, felt like something you grew up in and moved away from. Big cities promised momentum, access, and opportunity, and for a while, that promise held.
But now, the story is changing.
Something is shifting in how people think about where and how they want to live. The Lowcountry lifestyle has moved from regional curiosity to national point of interest, not because it’s new, but because it offers something many have been missing.
That growing draw can be felt anecdotally in neighborhoods and town centers, but it’s also showing up in data. And that’s where the story begins.
A National Pattern With a Southern Center
Recent U.S. Census estimates confirm what locals have sensed for years: the South is now the fastest-growing region in the country. The region saw a population gain of 1.8 million between 2023 and 2024, adding more residents than any other part of the United States. South Carolina continues to rank among the states seeing steady population growth, fueled by both domestic and international migration.
But numbers only explain part of it.
What’s harder to quantify is why people are moving to South Carolina, and why so many of them end up choosing the coast. The answer isn’t just weather or taxes. It’s cultural. It’s emotional. And it shows up inside the home as much as it does on a map.
The Search for a Sense of Place
For decades, modern life has pushed toward efficiency and sameness. Cities share the same stores. Neighborhoods have begun to look interchangeable. Homes are styled quickly and replaced just as fast, favoring stripped-down spaces that work anywhere but belong nowhere. In the process, many places have lost what once made them distinct.
Lately, that tide has shifted.
Across the country, people have started craving homes and communities that carry history, texture, and familiarity. They want towns with recognizable habits, shared references, and environments that encourage putting down roots.
That desire shows up inside the home as well. In 2025, CHD designers noticed homeowners gravitating towards interior design trends that feel expressive and lived-in. Bold patterns bring personality back into rooms. Antiques are returning as reminders of heritage and permanence. Kitchens stretch wider, becoming gathering spaces rather than pass-throughs. English-style snugs and informal sitting rooms reappear, built for conversation and closeness.
These trends indicate more than just shifting tastes in aesthetics. They point to a broader desire for homes that support real connection, daily comfort, and a feeling of continuity.
The Enduring Identity of the Lowcountry Lifestyle
In a world where so much feels fleeting, the South offers what people crave most: connection. It’s the cadence of slow mornings, the comfort of porches and friendly neighbors, the deep sense of belonging that comes from knowing your story fits into something larger. The Lowcountry has always been defined by its lifestyle — one that invites connection, conversation, and care.
According to Megan Sandefur, a CHD interior designer, “Everyone is moving to the South for the Southern charm, warmth, and beauty. The South is that place that wraps its arms around you and provides immediate comfort and peace.”
We’ve heard this sentiment firsthand from interior design clients moving back to South Carolina after time away. They all seem to say that they miss the feelings they have in the South — or they realize after chasing the dream that they left the dream when they left their Southern roots.
One client had lived and travelled across the globe, most recently residing in New York City. They happened to vacation in South Carolina 30 years ago and returned a few times over the years. When they discussed where they wanted to build their final home, they decided no place gave them the same feeling as the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
“That’s what the South Carolina Lowcountry offers to anyone who is searching for a sense of community and place,” says Lance Griffith, Owner and Lead Designer of CHD Interiors. “We are family, friends, a good book on a screened porch, and long walks on the beach. That is why so many people are moving here. Because they are coming home.”
Southern Culture Back in the Spotlight
At the same time, Southern culture has gained renewed visibility nationwide. Travel destinations, Southern cuisine, country music, traditional Southern architecture, and regional customs are no longer niche interests. They’re widely covered, celebrated, and better understood than they once were.
That shift is reflected clearly in how Southern cities are being talked about. Charleston, South Carolina, was recently ranked the number one small city in America by Condé Nast Traveler — a distinction it has earned repeatedly over the years.
In its ranking, Condé Nast pointed to Charleston’s history, culture, and food scene, noting that while the city may be small, it “punches well above its weight.” Visitors are drawn in by stately homes, cobblestone streets, waterfront views, and the ease of outdoor life that unfolds naturally across terraces, porches, and sidewalks.
That growing appreciation extends beyond travel. Southern design is now viewed as layered, adaptable, and grounded in comfort.
As Lance says, “Many new clients are moving to South Carolina from other areas, and while they have their own styles, they don’t seem to bring them along as much as they used to. People used to come here and educate us on the looks we should use. Now, they want an education, an understanding of how to ‘be a Southerner’ in their home. They want that Southern ambiance. They don’t always know how to do it, but they know they want it.”
The Lowcountry Lifestyle as Practice, Not Performance
Southern culture and style have never been about copying a look. It’s a way of moving through the world, shaped by habits that favor welcome, ease, and shared time. That mindset shows up clearly in the home.
Rooms are arranged to receive people comfortably. Kitchens stay open because conversation doesn’t stop at the stove. Seating gathers close instead of spreading out. Porches, parlors, and informal sitting rooms exist because time together matters. Southern hospitality isn’t added later; it’s assumed from the start.
This approach is where CHD’s interior design work naturally lives. To us, designing Southern homes means understanding how people move through them, how families gather, and how comfort shows up in ordinary moments. We translate the Lowcountry lifestyle into rooms that feel confident, layered, and welcoming — spaces that look beautiful the moment you step inside, then keep rewarding you as you live in them.
That’s also why our showrooms matter to this process. They allow clients to see and feel scale, texture, and materials in person, and they give us access to pieces with age and character: furniture, lighting, antiques, and textiles that help a home feel established rather than assembled in a single season.
In the next article in this series, “The Southern-Style House and the Art of Hospitality,” we’ll take a closer look at how these values shape Southern interior design. Subscribe to the CHD newsletter to receive the next installment and continue exploring what Southern culture looks like when it’s built thoughtfully into the home.
If you’re considering moving to South Carolina, or already settling into life in the Lowcountry, we welcome you to reach out to CHD Interiors to begin shaping a home that supports the way you want to live here.
