Popular Architectural House Styles and Their Characteristics
How often have you driven down the coast and wondered what that house style in the fishing hamlet is? Well, this blog is here to help!
From Victorian to Craftsman, explore the popular house styles and their characteristics!
Colonial House Style Variations
Brought over by the various colonists, the style of Colonial houses in the USA is too distinct to be missed. They are characterized by symmetrical, rectangular designs, with a focus on simple and practical elegance. Here are some of the most common colonial types of home styles you can find.
1. Federal
Also called the Adam style, the Federal Colonial style is inspired by Roman classicism. It has wings on one or both sides of the main box shape. This style also has more decorative ornamentations than the other Colonial designs, with tall columns, grand steps, and embellishments.
2. Spanish
The Spanish Colonial is commonly found on the West Coast, specifically in California. Largely inspired by the original Spanish missions, this style is recognizable by the lush courtyards, arcaded walkways, walls of solid white stucco, and rustic red roof tiles. Wrought-iron railings, curved parapets, and large wood-carved doors are common elements in this style
3. Dutch
Originally built by the Dutch colonists in the 17th century, this style of home usually had one room. Today, the size has been expanded, but the broad gambrel roof is the same. This style has been upgraded into the barn house style in recent years.
4. Georgian
Georgian Colonial is often confused with Federal, but it’s a more rigid style. Its heyday was in the 18th century, but it’s still popular today. The rigid symmetry has persisted as well, especially with the evenly lined front doors and windows that break up the flat exterior. The structures are usually built of red brick with hip roofs and minimal ornamentation.
5. Saltbox
This style appeared in the 17th century, built by European settlers on the coast of New England. The saltbox is practical and durable. Their unique shape resembles the wooden box that used to store salt back in the day. The gabled roofs are steeply pitched to let snow slide off easily.
6. French
The French Colonial style is characterised by sharply pitched side-gabled or hipped roofs. The most recognizable feature is the large, wrap-around porch or veranda on both levels.
7. Cape Cod
The Cape Cod style is inspired by the thatched cottages of Britain but with larger chimneys and steeper roofs. Windows flank the front door, cedar shingles are on the roof, and the dormer windows are on the second floor in this home style.
Revival Architectural Styles of Homes
Though this style takes inspiration from common house architecture styles of the 18th century, they are far more ornamental and symmetrical. This style gained popularity in the 1880s and stayed popular through the 1950s.
1. Classical
Classical revival is heavily inspired by Greek and Roman antiquity, which is also why this style is called Greek Revival. This style has a profound sense of legacy and an aura of confidence from the pediments, columns, and a strict sense of balance and rigor.
2. Gothic
The Gothic Revival takes inspiration from medieval Europe. This style is showy and shapely with bays and wings in several directions. They have ornate woodwork and steeply inclined roofs. It’s also dominated by pointed doorways and archways. A lesser embellished version of this style is called Carpenter Gothic.
3. Pueblo
This style of house is particularly popular in New Mexico and parts of the Southwest. The Pueblo Revival is also called the Santa Fe style. Dating back to the 20th century, this style was impacted by the simple homes of the ancient Pueblo people. Mortar, stucco, concrete, or adobe are used to construct the cladding. This style is naturally sustainable. Need more tips for an eco-friendly home? Check this blog out.
4. Tudor
The Tudor Revival is named after the Tudor period in Wales and England. The inspiration for this style is definitely Medieval manors, but you’ll notice Gothic and Renaissance design elements.
5. Mediterranean
This style is classic, combining elements of design and proportion in textured stucco and delicate wrought-iron railings. In a way, this style is a Spanish revival with more modern fixings. The windows are oversized, and there are terraces, courtyards, and loggias.
6. Neoclassical
Classical beauty and formal proportions define the Neoclassical style. It reflects Roman and Greek architecture the most. The key elements include tall columns, evenly spaced windows, and elaborate doorways.
7. Victorian
This style appeared during the reign of Queen Victoria, combining elements of Gothic revival, Italianate, and more. Victorian houses are more about aesthetics than functionality. They have a complex and ornate design.
8. Queen Anne
Queen Anne is a take on the Victorian Revival style. It has similar ornamental details, but its exteriors are more asymmetrical. The roofline is irregular as well.
9. Italianate
The Italianate style has endured, inspired by Italian farm houses and villas. It has deep eaves with extremely embellished brackets and decorative crowns for the windows.
Various Home Styles Inspired by Art Movements
Several Art Movements inspired architecture. Here are the 3 most popular house styles and their characteristics.
1. Craftsman
The Arts and Crafts movement of the 1800s inspired this style. This house style is smaller with wide porches, earthy colors, tapered columns, and low-pitched roofs.
2. Art Deco
Art Deco’s influenced by many things, including Hollywood, French ornamental elements, and ancient Egypt. Clean lines and chevrons, zigzags, and crown-like shapes are the main elements of this style. The patterns are ornate and colorful as well.
3. Brutalism
Brutalism gets a bad reputation, but it’s easily among the most visually stunning house styles. It’s known for its flat expanses of monolithic forms and exposed concrete. This style actually pairs well with biophilic designs.
Post-War/Modern House Styles
Architecture was changed forever after the World Wars. Here are some of the styles that emerged from that era.
1. Midcentury Modern
This style emerged from the post-World War era. There were new technological innovations that inspired this style of glass, steel, and concrete homes.
2. Ranch
This style of home has a single level and rambling open floors with wide living spaces, and massive patios or porches. They also have low-pitched, nearly flat roofs and long windows on the front.
3. Contemporary
This style emerged in the 1990s. Energy efficiency, natural light, and sustainable materials are emphasized in this style. Visually speaking, contemporary takes inspiration from all eras in the history of American architecture. Contemporary house styles feature stunning driveways. So, if you were wondering how to build your own, here are a few tips that can help you out!
Unique Exterior Home Styles
In this category, we talk about styles that were a combination of inspirations and eras.
1. Shingle Style
Common on the East Coast, this style traveled the country, picking up local inspiration along the way! The common inspiration was Queen Anne and Victorian revivals. It’s named after the shingles on the roof and siding.
2. Log Home
Log homes can be one-room cabins or opulent lakefront mansions. They are usually made from cypress, pine, cedar, or oak. They are decorated simply with small windows.
3. Prairie
The Prairie style is not opulent and is mostly influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. The style has flat cantilever roofs, massive rows of windows, and clean lines that are often mixed with organic patterns.
4. Shotgun
A staple in New Orleans, this house style is narrow and deep from back to front. The rooms run in a straight line from the back door to the front porch. These homes are also called Creole homes and are embellished with French patterns.
Now armed with this knowledge, rope your friends and family into interesting trivia nights! For more cool home styles and stories, read more on our website Home Improvement Ideaz.
FAQs
- How to identify different home styles?
To identify different home styles, here’s what you can do:
- Observe the features used on the exterior of the house, such as materials, roofline, doors, and windows.
- Figure out the overall shape of the house
- Pay close attention to the details, such as ornamentation and trim
- Check the construction method and materials used
- What is the most desirable home style?
There isn’t a direct answer for this since it’s a matter of preference. However, it depends on how much budget you have, what kind of style resonates with your personality, and how much time can you invest behind such a project.
- What are the characteristics of an I-style house?
Popular in the rural Midwest, the I-style house is a rectangular two-story house. It’s one room deep and two rooms wide with side-facing gable roofs. It has a symmetrical facade, usually with a hallway and central entrance dividing the rooms.
- Which house style is generally the most expensive?
Mediterranean house styles are usually considered the most expensive house style in the USA.
- What is the most popular house style in America?
Ranch-style houses are the most popular house style in the USA.
As a lifelong DIY enthusiast, Alex Barton is never afraid to go the extra mile to save a few bucks! From seamless interior decor hacks to effective DIY home renovation tips, he shares a myriad of his experiences for you to unleash your creativity.
