What Are Some of the Most Popular Home Styles?

November 16, 2020

Depending on where you live, you might see a common theme for home designs. But do you know exactly which style is which? If you’re remodeling or building your custom home from scratch, knowing what style you’re going for can result in a successful project. And by understanding the different styles that are out there, you’ll gain a better appreciation for your home. Here is a guide on the most popular housing styles.

Cape Cod Homes

Cape cod homes date back to the 17th century, but they didn’t become as popular until the 1930s. Cape cods are typically one-story homes, although they will occasionally have an upstairs. This style features steep rooflines, wooden siding, and large multi-pane windows. You will likely find an abundance of this design in New England.

Colonial Style Homes

Colonial style homes are one of the most iconic and popular styles of housing in the United States. This style became popularized in the late 1800s. These homes tend to be multileveled, with formal dining rooms, kitchens, and living rooms. This classic house design offers lots of natural lighting due to the abundance of windows. Classic design choices, such as fireplaces, wooden or brick facades, and stark white siding are some of the key defining traits of a colonial home.

Contemporary Homes

The word “contemporary” is often used to describe the types of homes that were built in the 1950s to 1970s. Nowadays, contemporary homes are typically ultra-modern homes, with simple shapes and strong geometric lines. Contemporary homes became popularized after modernism was inflected into the American aesthetic. Some key features of contemporary homes are the use of glass and very innovative designs, as well as a flat or low roof.

Victorian Homes

The Victorian Era was a period that spanned from the 1800s to the early 1900s. This era brought many modern innovations into the home for the first time, but it’s romantic and detailed-oriented designs that were rich in textures and colors, are what made this housing style stand out.