Most Popular Architectural Styles of Homes

We all have a favorite style of home or a certain “look” to a home that we gravitate more towards, but we may not know what that style is! This realtor.com article breaks down the look of the 9 most popular architectural styles of homes.

Cape Cod

-Named after the popular New England vacation destination, Cape Cod in Massachusetts
-Much like the Puritans who first came to America, this style is modest and economical
-Steep roofs and second story dormers

Colonial

-Symmetrical with the front door in the middle of the home with two windows on either side and five windows on the second floor with middle window directly above the front door
-Usually built of wood or brick
-Simple, clean, boxy style (with a hint of ancient Greece and Rome)

Victorian

-Detail-packed, usually with a complicated, asymmetrical shape with wings and bays in various directions; elaborate trim; shingles or patterned masonry; steep rooflines; and a large, wraparound porch
- Often painted in bright, complementary colors to highlight the many elaborate details

Tudor

- Inspired by the medieval architecture of Tudor England in the early 16th century
- Built of brick or stone on the first level and complementary stucco and timbering on the second level
-Deeply pitched roofs and detailed entryways

Ranch

-With the rise of automobiles, families started buying large lots of land outside the city limits (aka the Suburbs) to build spread-out ranch houses.
-Usually one story with an L or U shaped floor plan surrounding a patio, sliding glass doors and a carport or garage.
-Best known symbol of American housing

Bungalow or Craftsman

-Became popular in the early 1900s during arts and crafts period
-Known for their handcrafted details of hand-cut wood, iron and copper work and masonry
-One story homes with low-pitched roof and large front porch

Spanish

-Many of these homes are found in the South and Southwest because they are built to take the heat
-Clay tile roofs keep the home cool
-Extensive outdoor living areas, columns and arched windows and openings take advantage of the breeze

Mid-Century Modern

-Timeless asthetic that starting popping up in the 1950s
-Known for its sharp angles, flat or shallow-pitched roofs, tons of glass and without ornamentation
-Often incorporate the outdoor space with decks and balconies

French Country

-Inspired by the homes of northern and southern France during the reign of Louis XIV in the mid-1600s
-Known for its square, symmetrical shape with windows balanced on either side of the entrance and a steep, hipped roof
-Most often made of stone, stucco and brick