What Style of House is This?

When it comes to buying or building a home, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right style. There are countless styles of homes to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and features. Sometimes we fall in love with a style of home and don’t even realize that it is a style, we just know what we like when we see it.

Here’s a crash course in some of the most popular home styles…

Colonial Style House

Colonial: Colonial homes are characterized by their symmetrical facades, central front doors, and evenly spaced windows. Inside, the downstairs floor plan focuses primarily around the kitchen and the den. These homes have a traditional and timeless look, making them a popular choice.

Ranch: Ranch-style homes are one-story homes with a low-pitched roof and a rectangular or L-shape. They are known for their open floor plans, large windows, and dedicated space for a deck or patio. One reason ranch style homes are popular is that they provide easy accessibility, making them a great option for those with mobility issues.

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Ranch Style House

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Victorian Style House

Victorian: Victorian homes are known for their highly decorative facades with steeply pitched roofs, verandas, and turrets. The inside is just as extravagant, with high ceilings and ornate trim. Victorians are the opposite of open floor plan living, with multiple rooms and a vertical floor plan. They have a grand and elegant look, and are often found in historic neighborhoods.

Craftsman: Craftsman homes are characterized by their low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and exposed rafters or brackets. Front porches are a signature component of craftsman homes and often one of the most loved features. They have a warm and inviting look, and are often found in older neighborhoods.

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Cape Cod Style House

Cape Cod: Cape Cod homes are characterized by their steep roofs, large central chimneys, and symmetrical facades. This style home evolved over the years and now commonly include a second story and dormer windows. On the interior, they tend to have low ceilings and an open floorplan. Fun fact – the staircase in a Cape Cod home is called a ‘Captain’s Stairway”; it is designed to be steep and narrow and to take up as little first floor space as possible. They have a traditional and cozy look, and are often found in coastal communities.

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Craftsman Style Jouse

Tudor: Tudor homes are known for their steeply pitched roofs, ornamental half-timbering, and tall, narrow windows. If front porch sitting is on your list of must-haves, Tudor-style homes are not likely to be a good fit. The exteriors have an asymmetrical charm, with off-center arched front doors and front-facing gables. They tend to have a rustic storybook cottage feel, and are often found in older neighborhoods.

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Tudor style home

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A Mediterranean style house with the ornate wrought iron porch & window details

Mediterranean: Mediterranean homes are characterized by their tile roofs, stucco walls, stone details, and arched openings. They are also known for their wrought iron balconies and window grille details. They are designed to maximize airflow through the home; think high ceilings and open floor plans.One of the most distinguishing interior features of Mediterranean-style homes is the common use of patterned tile. This style home is often considered simple, elegant, and timeless. They have a warm and inviting look, and are often found in warmer climates.

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Contemporary interior example, with clean lines, open flow, and large windows.

Contemporary: Contemporary homes are characterized by their clean lines, minimal ornamentation, large windows, and an emphasis on functionality. Inside, they have open floor plans and are known for large windows and lots of natural light. They have a modern and sleek look, and are often found in newer neighborhoods.

These are just a few basic examples of the many different styles of homes available. When choosing the perfect style for you, it’s important to consider your personal preferences, as well as the location and climate of your home.

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