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Architectural (House) Styles 101: The Most Famous Styles In America

Architectural (House) Styles 101: The Most Famous Styles In America

If you’re wondering which architectural house styles are popular, you’re in the right place.

We’ll help you find the perfect house style, no matter your needs.

Each style has something special about it, and each style is very present.

Here is a list of all the styles we’ll dive into:

  1. Ranch
  2. Colonial
  3. Cape Cod
  4. Craftsman
  5. Victorian
  6. Contemporary
  7. Mediterranean
  8. Tudor Revival
  9. Mid-Century Modern
  10. Farmhouse
  11. Georgian
  12. Greek Revival
  13. Cottage
  14. Prairie Style
  15. Italianate
  16. Bungalow
  17. Log Cabin
  18. Federal
  19. Saltbox
  20. Dutch Colonial

1. Ranch

Ranch-style houses are very popular. Today, there are loads of not only old but new ranch houses, too!

The name for this style was created because these houses were first popular on the ranches in the American West.

These houses are usually simple with large windows and an open floor plan.

A ranch house is great for everyone who wants a functional, single-story home with a long and flat layout.

2. Colonial

The colonial style is also something you can see often, and this type of house is great if you like a traditional and classic look.

These houses became popular during America’s colonial period, and that’s why we called them colonial.

Colonial houses are big and symmetrical. They have a steep roof, and the front doors are usually centered.

Also, these houses are usually two-story homes with evenly spaced windows.

3. Cape Cod

Cape Cod houses were created to endure harsh winters, and they first became popular in a place called Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

These houses are simple, cute, and cozy. They also have one or more chimneys in the center of the house and a lot of dormer windows.

Since the design is simple, this house is perfect for remodeling and redesigning.

4. Craftsman

Craftsman houses are functional and practical. They’re made from natural materials like wood, brick, or stone.

The windows are usually big to allow natural light to enter the house. The big porch is also an important part of a Craftsman’s house.

This style was part of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the name comes from the focus on craftsmanship and simple, functional design.

5. Victorian

Victorian houses are perfect if you like unique and extravagant things because these houses always stand out.

These houses have unique roofs, usually steeply pitched, and multifaceted. They also often have towers and turrets.

The windows are long and the houses are often asymmetrical. And the colors are bold and vibrant.

The name comes from Queen Victoria of England, whose era inspired the style.

6. Contemporary

Contemporary houses are known for their simple and minimalistic look.

These houses are usually made with a few different materials and the colors are neutral since the main goal is to blend in with nature.

Contemporary houses are spacious and simple. They usually have extra-large windows too.

The name simply means “modern” or “current,” as these homes reflect today’s design trends.

7. Mediterranean

Mediterranean houses are popular in warm climates, and the name comes from the Mediterranean region, where this style originated.

They are usually light, and they can be recognized by arched doorways and windows.

Even though the main color of the house is usually light, you can always see something decorative on the house or around it.

Most of the Mediterranean houses have a patio and a decorated garden.

8. Tudor Revival

Tudor Revival houses are usually made from bricks or stones. They have a historical charm.

The facade is asymmetrical, and there are a lot of wooden details. These homes have steeply pitched gable roofs and irregular rooflines.

The name comes from the Tudor period in England, and they’re inspired by English medieval architecture.

9. Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern homes are very chic and unusual. These houses are made from concrete, steel, or glass.

The exterior is simple and the main goal is to connect with nature. That’s why decorating the front porch is essential.

Everything about them looks sleek, simple, original, and blended.

The name refers to the mid-20th century when this style emerged.

10. Farmhouse

The farmhouse style is very traditional and homey. These houses come in simple, rectangular shapes.

The exterior is recognized by wood siding or clapboard. The roof is simple and wide porches can be seen around the whole house.

Farmhouse-style houses are usually white and the whole design is practical.

The name comes from the rural homes built on farms across America.

11. Georgian

Georgian houses are big, and they have a symmetrical, boxy exterior.

They’re made from bricks and they’re two or three stories tall. Everything is balanced and evenly spaced.

The name comes from the Georgian period in British history.

12. Greek Revival

Greek revival homes have tall columns and pediments on the front and they look like a temple.

These homes are known for big entrances and wide porches. They’re usually white and decorative.

The name comes from the architecture of ancient Greece.

13. Cottage

Cottage houses are cozy and inviting. These houses are functional and smaller.

They have steep roofs, and you can always see natural materials like wood, stone, or brick on cottages.

The name comes from the traditional small, rural homes called cottages in Europe.

14. Prairie Style

Prairie-style houses look unique due to their flat or gently slopped roofs with wide overhangs.

The exterior is made of wood, brick, or stucco. These houses usually have a lot of windows, grouped in rows, and all the lines are clean and symmetrical.

These houses can be seen in natural and earthy tones.

The name comes from the wide, flat landscapes of the American prairie, which inspired the design.

15. Italianate

Italianate houses are tall and narrow, with tall windows. They often have towers or cupolas, and they look boxy and large.

They look ornate and you can usually see brick or stucco on the exterior.

The name comes from the word “Italian,” as the design is based on Italian villas.

16. Bungalow

The bungalow houses are small and cute, but very practical. Even though they’re small, they have large windows.

The front porch is the center of the bungalow house, and the front doors are usually accentuated.

They’re often made of brick or wood. These single-story homes with low-pitched roofs and wide porches are affordable and simple.

The name comes from a type of small, simple house in India called “Bangla.”

17. Log Cabin

Log cabins are made from logs, and they look natural and rustic.

Everything about them is simple and rough. Log cabins can be big or small, and come in many designs.

Log cabins were some of the earliest homes built by settlers in America.

The name comes from the fact that you’re, well, using logs to build walls!

18. Federal

Federal houses have a lot of windows, and they look formal, elegant, and traditional.

They often have arched windows and decorative moldings. They’re also quite symmetrical and neatly decorated.

This style became popular after the American Revolution in the late 1700s., and the name comes from the time of the new federal government.

19. Saltbox

Saltbox homes have a sloping roof in the back, giving them an asymmetrical look.

They are typically two stories in the front and one in the back. These homes are simple, with wooden exteriors and central chimneys.

The name comes from the shape of old salt containers, which had sloping tops like these practical homes.

20. Dutch Colonial

Dutch Colonial homes have gambrel roofs with flared eaves. They often have dormer windows and large front porches.

The roofline is very distinctive and the windows are quite large, too.

The name comes from early Dutch settlers in America who built homes in this style.

All these styles are charming and they can be adjusted to your desires and needs. There are a lot more styles, but these are the most popular and the most practical ones.