Different Styles of Homes: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to choosing a home, there are numerous architectural styles to consider. Each style has its own unique characteristics, history, and defining features.
Whether you’re planning to build a new home or simply interested in different house styles, this article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the most common styles of homes in the United States.
1. Ranch Style Homes
One of the most popular architectural styles of homes in the United States is the Ranch style.
Also known as ramblers, Ranch style homes were most popular from the 1940s to the 1970s.
These homes are characterized by their simple, one-story design and low-pitched, hipped roofs.
Ranch style homes typically feature large picture windows, sliding glass patio doors, and wide eave overhangs.
They are often a popular choice for young families or couples as they are easy to maintain and can be easily remodeled.
2. Craftsman Style Homes
Craftsman style homes have their roots in the British Arts and Crafts movement of the 1860s.
This architectural style emerged as a revolt against poorly designed and decorated Victorian homes.
Craftsman homes are known for their functionality, simplicity, and focus on individual handiwork.
They often feature low-pitched, wide roofs, unenclosed rafters underneath the eaves, and a front porch with large, battered columns.
Craftsman homes incorporate handcrafted wood, glass, and metalwork, and are typically made of natural materials such as bricks, tiles, and wood.
3. Cape Cod Style Homes
Cape Cod style homes are beloved for their charming and cozy appearance.
These homes originated in New England in the mid-1800s and were brought to the United States by early Puritan settlers.
Cape Cod homes are known for their simple, symmetrical design and usually feature 1 or 1 1/2 stories.
They are usually covered with shingle or clapboard sidings and have a centered front door with multipaned, double-hung windows on either side.
Cape Cod homes typically have low ceilings, gabled dormers, and a steep, inverted V-shaped roof.
4. Victorian Style Homes
Victorian homes are named after Queen Victoria, who ruled over Great Britain and its colonies from 1837 to 1901.
These homes were built to reflect the rapid change, technological advancement, and growing population of the wealthy middle class during the Victorian era.
Victorian homes come in various types, with the most popular ones being Folk Victorian, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne.
They are known for their steep, triangle-shaped roofs, round or octagonal towers, and dormers that project vertically beyond the sloped roofs.
Victorian homes often feature intricate exterior designs with colored, glazed bricks and ornately carved wood.
5. Contemporary Style Homes
Contemporary homes are characterized by their focus on current architectural trends and a broad range of styles produced in the last half of the 20th century.
Unlike modern homes, which refer specifically to an architectural style popular between the 1950s and 1960s, contemporary homes follow the latest design trends.
They often feature open layouts, minimalist designs, and clean geometric lines.
Contemporary homes embrace the “less is more” approach and incorporate natural light through whole-wall windows or clerestories.
They showcase unique and asymmetrical shapes and use sustainable and recycled materials.
6. Colonial Style Homes
Colonial style homes were brought to the United States by European colonists in the 1600s and remained one of the most popular home styles until the 19th century.
These homes are known for their symmetry, simplicity, and versatility.
Colonial homes typically feature paired chimneys, a center hall, and a front door with two windows on either side.
They have rectangular or square shapes and are usually two or three stories tall.
Colonial homes often have a central staircase, multiple windows, and a medium-pitched roof.
7. Tudor Style Homes
Tudor style homes originated in England in the late 15th century and made their way to the United States from 1900 to 1940.
These homes are characterized by their tall, narrow windows, steep, gabled roofs, and wooden frames.
Tudor homes often have dormer windows and tall, narrow doors made from wood.
They feature exposed wood beams on the exterior, with whitewashed walls in between them.
Tudor homes are known for their one to three massive chimneys with decorative chimney pots.
8. Log Homes
Log homes have a rich history in North America, believed to have flourished in the 1600s when Finnish people introduced their wood construction tradition.
These homes are constructed using materials such as cedar, cypress, fir, oak, pine, and spruce.
Log homes can be categorized into four types: post and beam, timber frame, full scribe, and hybrids.
They often feature modern amenities, such as air conditioning and heating systems, metal roofing, and large windows to let natural light inside.
Log homes provide a unique acoustic space and give off a pleasant scent.
9. Mediterranean Style Homes
Mediterranean style homes are a fusion of Greek, Italian, and Spanish architectural styles.
These homes are known for their simplicity, elegance, warmth, and timeless appeal.
Mediterranean homes are typically found in warm-weather locations such as California, Florida, and other Southern states.
They often feature large exterior windows, low-pitched, red-tile roofs, and Roman-inspired arches.
Mediterranean homes have vaulted ceilings and incorporate landscaping and courtyards into their design.
10. Tiny Homes
The tiny home movement has gained popularity in recent years as a way to live a simpler and more affordable lifestyle.
Tiny homes are typically less than 400 square feet in size and can be placed on a flatbed trailer or a permanent foundation.
They come in various shapes and sizes and often feature creative storage options and space-saving furniture.
Tiny homes are popular in states such as California, Florida, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas. Building a tiny home can range in cost from $10,000 to $180,000.
***
In conclusion, there are a wide variety of architectural styles to choose from when it comes to homes. Each style has its own unique features and characteristics, allowing homeowners to find a style that suits their personal taste and preferences.
Whether you’re drawn to the simplicity of a Ranch style home or the elegance of a Mediterranean style home, there is a style out there for everyone. Take your time to explore the different styles and find the one that feels like home to you.
Shery
