When buying a home, you may want to look at homes with varying architectural and design styles. Familiarize yourself with the most popular types of homes in the U.S. to see which one is right for you!
Cape cod
Cape cod homes date back to the late 1600s and were a popular home style in the 1930s. Britain’s thatched cottages inspired cape cod homes. They typically feature a steep roofline, wood siding, multi-pane windows, and one to one and a half stories.
Colonial
Colonial architecture originated in the 1600s. This is one of the most popular style homes in the United States. These homes are known for their symmetry, evenly spaced windows, dormers*, columns, and chimneys. In addition, colonial homes generally have two or three stories.
*A dormer is a roofed structure, often containing a window that projects beyond the roof.
Contemporary
Contemporary-style homes grew popular in the 1950s. As a result, contemporary is a common term used to describe homes today. They tend to concentrate on geometric forms and lines. Contemporary homes generally have open floor plans, lots of glass, and a mix of contrasting materials and textures.
Cottage
Cottage-style homes originated from European farmers in the Middle Ages, whose homes were called “cotters.” This style became popular in the 1920s and 1930s. This home style is typically made of stone or has wood siding. Cottage homes are often used in storybooks or fantasy movies, so people say that this home has a “storybook” feel.
Craftsman
Craftsman bungalow homes were popular between the early 1900s and 1930s but have made a comeback today. Distinguishing features of a craftsman-style home are built-in shelving, display cabinets, and built-in seating. The interiors have an open-concept floorplan and often feature exposed beams. The home exteriors have low-pitched roofs and wide eave* overhangs.
*Eaves are edges of the roof that extend over the walls and project beyond the side of a home.
Tudor
This style of home draws its characteristics from the early 16th century Tudor dynasty in England. These homes have steeply pitched roofs that often have decorative wood framing perfect for rainy and snowy climates. In the first half of the 20th century, Tudor-style homes were mainly built in established and affluent neighborhoods. As a result, it is common to find these homes on the East Coast and Midwest.
Victorian
Victorian architecture emerged between the mid-1800s through the early 1900s during the reign of Queen Victoria. These homes have ornate details, including elaborate patterns, colors, and textures throughout the home’s interior and exterior. Victorian homes have steeply pitched roofs, bay windows, and often a full-width wrap-around front porch.
