It may not seem like home designs change quickly, but between the normal evolution of home styles and the sheer number of homes in the U.S., it can be tough to keep up with all of the different styles of houses.
Luckily, there are several popular home styles that appear in neighborhoods around the country, some of which have remained trendy for centuries! Here’s a guide to help you identify the most popular home styles.
The Colonial
Drive through any American suburb today and you’re likely to encounter plenty of Colonial style homes. The style actually has broad parameters but includes sub-categories like the Cape Cod, Georgian, and Dutch Colonial. Colonial structural features typically include:
- Rectangular features
- Symmetrical features
- Second-floor bedrooms and first-floor living spaces
- Wood (or similar) siding, shutters, and double-hung windows
- Windows with smaller panes
- Complex cornices and white clapboard siding (particularly for Colonial Revival homes)
In Summer Lake, you’ll see examples of strictly Colonial homes along with colonial features integrated into blended architectural styles.
The Craftsman
The beloved Craftsman was popularized at the turn of the 20th century. Sharing features with the California Bungalow, the craftsman highlights handmade features, careful attention to detail, and broad proportions. Look for:
- Mixed materials (think wood siding alongside brick)
- Prominent porches
- Tapered columns
- Low, gabled roofs
- Overhanging eaves
These features are also commonly added to more contemporary homes for a “Craftsman flair,” an attractive way to blend styles in modern neighborhoods.
The Tudor
The tudor is a classic and a mainstay with polarizing and easily identifiable features.
- Roofs that are steeply pitched
- Cross gables
- Large stone chimneys
- Patterned brick or stone walls
- Exposed exterior timbering
- Rounded doorways
The Federal
The federal style is very popular on the East Coast, and very formal. Based on the Georgian home, the Federal adds delicate detailing and a flair for the dramatic. Think of the prettiest brick home on the oldest block of the oldest neighborhood in Savannah, Charleston, Richmond or Raleigh, and you’re usually thinking of a Federal home!
- Palladian and/or elliptical windows
- Box or rectangle shape
- Two to three stories
- Narrow, simple columns (if any)
- Brick or clapboard siding
The Victorian
Ever wondered why all big scary homes in horror movies look alike? It’s because there’s something deeply memorable about a cavernous old Victorian. But, not all Victorian homes are scream-inducing. In fact, they are often incredibly beautiful homes when not being featured in a horror flick.
- Brackets and patterned shingles
- Narrow and tall
- Stairs
- Towers and Turrets
- Decorative Trim
- Bay Windows Large windows (sometimes stained glass)
- Asymmetrical House Design
The Greek Revival
Another East Coast style, the Greek Revival is aptly named as a beautiful homage to traditional Greek architecture. Interestingly, the style has a serious political context in addition to an artistic one – builders in the 1800s wanted to avoid references to the then-hated English, so they looked for other inspiration!
- Grand columns
- Wide porches
- Doors with narrow windows abutting
- Chimneys atop a symmetrical roof
- Tall columns and pediments
- Plaster exterior
- Horizontal transoms
- Moldings
What House Style Is Right For You?
If you’re looking for your personal home style, try to find features that stand out to you as memorable. Or, you can blend features from these traditional fashions into contemporary designs.
You can find many newly-built homes like these in our Chesterfield community at The Homestead at Summer Lake. Click here to see our available homes or call us at 804-790-1950.
