With so much confusion between house styles and property categories, it's time to set the record straight—our comprehensive guide clears up the differences and helps you explore the true architectural beauty of home design.
Discover Unique House Styles: Find the Perfect Architectural Match for Your Home!
True House Styles:
A-Frame
An A-Frame house is a triangular-shaped structure, characterized by steeply angled sides that typically begin at or near the foundation, forming a roof-like shape. This design, often seen in vacation homes or cabins, maximizes natural light and is highly durable in snowy environments.
American Colonial
American Colonial homes reflect the simple, symmetrical design of the early 17th and 18th centuries in America. These homes typically feature a rectangular layout, brick or wood facades, steep roofs, and multi-paned windows, embodying a classic, elegant aesthetic.
American Craftsman
This style emerged from the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 20th century. American Craftsman homes emphasize handcrafted details, exposed beams, and natural materials. They often feature low-pitched roofs, wide porches, and built-in furniture, creating a warm, cozy aesthetic.
Beach House
A Beach House is a coastal style designed to withstand the environmental conditions of beachfront living. These homes often feature raised foundations, large windows, wide balconies, and light, airy interiors to maximize ocean views and natural light.
Bungalow
Bungalows are typically small, one-story homes with low-pitched roofs and wide verandas. Originating from the Arts and Crafts movement, they emphasize simplicity, efficiency, and a connection to the outdoors, making them popular in suburban settings.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod homes are one of the most recognizable styles in American architecture. Characterized by their steep roofs, dormer windows, central chimneys, and shingle siding, these homes are designed to endure harsh New England winters and are known for their symmetrical and compact design.
Carriage House
Originally built as outbuildings to store carriages, Carriage Houses have evolved into charming residential homes. These structures often feature barn-like doors, brick or wood facades, and loft-style interiors, with the living quarters traditionally situated above the carriage storage area.
Chalet
Chalets are inspired by alpine architecture, featuring steep roofs, wide eaves, and wooden exteriors. Commonly found in mountainous or snowy regions, they are designed to shed snow efficiently and offer a cozy, rustic aesthetic, often with large balconies and open living spaces.
Colonial Revival
A revival of early American colonial architecture, Colonial Revival homes became popular in the early 20th century. These homes feature symmetrical facades, gable roofs, brick or wood exteriors, and classical details such as columns or pediments, combining historical elegance with modern amenities.
Cottage
A Cottage is a small, charming home often associated with rural or coastal settings. Cottages typically feature steep roofs, small windows, and cozy interiors, focusing on comfort and simplicity. This style evokes a storybook charm, ideal for both primary residences and vacation homes.
Craftsman
Craftsman homes are defined by their emphasis on natural materials, built-in furnishings, and architectural simplicity. These homes often have low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, and large front porches supported by thick columns, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship and functional design.
Duplex
A Duplex is a residential building divided into two separate living units, typically with two distinct entrances. Each unit may occupy either the same floor or separate floors, providing efficient use of land and maximizing residential space within a single structure.
Farmhouse
Originally designed for rural settings, Farmhouse architecture emphasizes practicality, large open spaces, and robust structures. These homes often feature steep gabled roofs, wrap-around porches, and a simple, functional layout, offering a rustic charm combined with modern comforts.
French Provincial
French Provincial homes are inspired by the countryside estates of rural France. These homes are known for their steep, sloping roofs, tall windows with shutters, and symmetrical facades. The design often incorporates stone or brick exteriors, evoking elegance and Old-World charm.
Georgian
Georgian homes are known for their formal, symmetrical design and classical details. Originating in the 18th century, these homes often feature brick facades, multi-pane windows, and prominent front doors, framed with decorative crown moldings or pilasters. Georgian architecture exudes stately elegance.
Gothic Revival
This architectural style draws inspiration from medieval Gothic structures, featuring pointed arches, steep gables, and intricate detailing such as finials and decorative tracery. Gothic Revival homes often have a romantic, cathedral-like appearance, with tall windows and dramatic rooflines.
Italianate
Italianate homes, popular in the mid-19th century, are recognized for their tall, narrow windows, wide eaves supported by decorative brackets, and low-pitched roofs. These homes often have cupolas or towers, adding a sense of grandeur and Renaissance-inspired elegance to residential architecture.
Mid-Century Modern
This style emerged in the post-WWII era, emphasizing open spaces, large windows, and a connection to the surrounding environment. Mid-Century Modern homes often feature flat planes, clean lines, and minimal ornamentation, focusing on function and seamless integration with nature.
Modern Farmhouse
A contemporary take on the classic farmhouse, the Modern Farmhouse blends rustic elements such as wood beams and wide porches with sleek, modern finishes like metal roofing and open-concept interiors. This style merges country charm with minimalist, modern-day amenities.
Neoclassical
Neoclassical homes are inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, characterized by grand columns, pediments, and symmetrical designs. These homes often feature a formal, stately appearance with decorative moldings and balanced proportions, evoking classical beauty and grace.
Prairie School
Pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie School homes are designed to blend into their natural surroundings. They feature horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs, overhanging eaves, and open floor plans, emphasizing harmony between the home and the landscape.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne homes are part of the Victorian era, known for their asymmetrical facades, decorative trim, and elaborate ornamentation. These homes often feature turrets, wrap-around porches, and intricate woodwork, making them a showcase of architectural detail and craftsmanship.
Ranch
Ranch-style homes are known for their single-story, open-plan layouts and horizontal design. Popularized in the 1950s, Ranch homes often feature large windows, sliding glass doors, and low-pitched roofs, emphasizing easy indoor-outdoor living and a casual, suburban feel.
Row House
Row Houses are narrow, multi-story homes that share side walls with adjacent homes. Typically found in urban settings, these homes maximize limited land space while maintaining individual facades. Row Houses often feature brick exteriors and historical architectural details.
Saltbox
Saltbox homes are a colonial style characterized by their long, sloping rear roofline, creating a two-story structure in the front and a one-story in the back. This asymmetrical design originated in New England and was used to maximize interior space while maintaining a simple, compact form.
Shingle Style
Shingle Style homes feature wood-shingle exteriors, asymmetrical facades, and irregular rooflines. Popular in coastal regions, these homes often have a rustic, weathered look, blending into their natural surroundings while maintaining an elegant, stately appearance.
Spanish Revival
Spanish Revival homes are known for their red-tile roofs, stucco walls, and arched doorways, reflecting the architecture of Spain and the Mediterranean. These homes often feature wrought-iron details, courtyards, and tiled floors, offering a warm, inviting atmosphere with historical flair.
Storybook
Storybook homes evoke fairy tale-like charm, with whimsical designs including steep, gabled roofs, rounded doorways, and irregular facades. These homes often feature half-timbering, tall chimneys, and leaded-glass windows, creating a playful and enchanting appearance.
Tudor Revival
Tudor Revival homes draw inspiration from medieval English architecture, featuring steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows. These homes often incorporate brick or stone exteriors with contrasting dark wood accents, creating a distinctive, historical aesthetic.
Victorian
Victorian homes are ornate and decorative, featuring asymmetrical facades, steep roofs, and intricate woodwork. From Queen Anne to Gothic Revival, Victorian homes come in various styles, but all emphasize elaborate detailing and grandeur.
FAQs on House Styles
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