10 Popular Home Styles-Which One’s Yours?

10 Home Styles

Cape Cod

(Photo Credit: Remodel.rhcloud.com)

First built 1600s, the original Cape Cod-style home originated in Britain, featuring steep roofs and large chimneys which settlers found out happened to be perfect for surviving long, cold Northeastern winters. Typically, windows adorned either side of the front door, with dormer windows toward the top of the home, all with cedar shutters.

Country French

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This home stemmed from the 18^th century, when France occupied much of eastern North America. The home is now popular in the American South. Its trademarks are several small, narrow windows with dual shutters, steep roofs, stucco walls, and a half-timbered frame.

Colonial

(Photo Credit: InteriorDecorating.pics)

This style of home dates back to the 1600s, but was revived in 1930s in the U.S. There are many variances likely due to the diversity of our original settlers. The classic look is very symmetrical, evenly-placed shuttered windows, a chimney, dormers, and columns. The home is typically one story but it can be one and a half to two.

Victorian

(Photo Credit: Milguard.com)

This style of home was popular between 1830 and 1910 and is a tribute to the reign of Queen Victoria in Europe. The home is largely focused on beauty, layers, and texture, disregarding practicality in favor of ornate detail. Since the home is not based on practicality, it features separate, disjointed rooms. The exterior of the home is ornate, with trim, bright colors, huge porches, a marked lack of symmetry and a multi-layered roofline.

Tudor

(Photo Credit: WallStreet Journal Blog)

This home style goes all the way back to the Tudor dynasty in 16^th-century England, and is now loosely based on Medieval British home styles. Steep roofs, cross gables, half-timbering, and tall and narrow windows with thin windowpanes are the brands of this style of home.

Craftsmen

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This is the product of the Arts and Crafts Movement between 1880 and 1910, including characteristics glorifying natural materials like brick, stone and wood. The home is known for its wide, expansive front porch, low roof, hand-crafted wooden details inside and out, exposed beams, and  large fireplaces.

Cottage

(Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Originating from the word “cotters”, European peasant farmers from the Middle Age, this style of home was revived in 1920s and 1930s in the U.S. The most notable aspect of this style is its welcoming, storybook-like character. It is typically a small home made of stone, wood siding, back then typically featuring a thatched roof, a curvy entryway, a lovely gravel, brick or stone walkway, and a brightly-colored exterior.  This home is usually decorated with charming plants and flowers since it seems to match its whimsical feel.

Mediterranean

(Photo Credit: EmtBlog.com)

The Mediterranean was popular in the U.S. from 1918 to 1940. The style was modeled after hacienda homes, featuring plaster surfaces, arches, red tile roofs, balconies, porticos, colorful tile work and heavy, Spanish-Moroccan-style doors.  Typically, the exterior and interior favors stucco or adobe walls and the rooms within are often airy and spacious to promote ventilation.

Traditional Ranch Style Home

(Photo Credit: Better Homes and Gardens)

Built in 1930s after rural Western ranches, these homes offer open and sprawling one-story floor plans. The home has easy outdoor access, is practical, and often comes with an attached garage. This style is perfect for updating or additions. Sometimes this style gets a bad rap for being too “cookie-cutter” since it is most popular in suburban areas, especially back in the suburban boom of the  1950s and 1960s.

Contemporary

(Photo Credit: DesignNirvana.com)

This home is typically simple and modern, replete with clean and sharp lines and angles. The home is focused on energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, and it uses lots of glass and windows throughout to let in natural light. The roofs are low and the floor plans are open and inviting.