There are many different types of American houses found throughout the 50 states. From the East Coast to the West Coast, and everywhere in between, each region has its own unique style of housing. Some styles are more popular than others, but they can all be found in some part of the country or another. In this blog post, we will take a look at 15 of the most popular American house styles and how to tell them apart.
Ranch
Ranch-style houses are one of the most popular styles in the U.S. Ranch houses were first built in the 1930s and became very popular in the Post-war era as suburban development boomed.
They are usually one-story homes with a simple, open layout and a low-pitched roof. Ranch-style houses have a variety of shapes. The common shapes are rectangular, an “U” or “L” shape. Other typical elements of ranch-style homes include sliding glass doors that open onto the patio or backyard, broad roof eaves, and an attached garage.
American Colonial
American Colonial-style houses are characterized by their symmetrical features and steep roofs. The shape is a simple rectangle shape.
This house style often has two stories, with four or five rooms on each floor. The front door typically opens directly into the living room, and a staircase leads up to the second floor. American Colonial-style houses usually have shingled roofs and clapboard siding.
Colonial Revival
The Colonial Revival House Style is one of the oldest styles, dating back to 1876. This style is also characterized by a symmetrical façade, but it incorporates features that are reminiscent of different eras throughout history. It often comes with a central door flanked by windows on either side. Colonial Revival houses are typically two stories tall with a gabled roof and an attic dormer.
Cape Cod
The Cape Cod House Style was first popularized in New England in the 17th century.
The style is characterized by its steeply pitched roof, large central chimney, and symmetrical facade. Cape Cod houses are typically one-and-a-half stories tall with small windows and minimal decoration.
This simple house style was adapted to New England’s harsh winters and limited building materials. Cape Cod houses were easy and quick to build, which made them popular among early American settlers.
Victorian
Pixabay
Wikimedia
Pixabay
The Victorian House Style is one of the most popular styles in America. The Queen Anne style is also included in the Victorian category. The Victorian house style is characterized by its ornate and decorated facade, often with a porch or veranda. Many Victorian houses have asymmetrical shapes, decorative trim, and steep rooflines. This style was very popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Shingle Style
Shingle House Style was popular in the Northeast and California from 1880 to 1910. It was made popular by the rise of the New England school of architecture. This style is characterized by its use of shingles on both the exterior walls and roof, as well as its lack of ornamentation. A gambrel or hip roof is a popular shingle-style house feature. Such houses put a greater emphasis on horizontal lines.
Craftsman
WikimediaThe Craftsman House Style was popularized in the early 20th century and is known for its well-crafted design. This style is often associated with the American Arts and Crafts movement, which valued quality craftsmanship over mass production.
The gabled roof, deep eaves, exposed rafters, and specific stone or woodwork are all common characteristics of this design.
WikimediaWhile Craftsman homes can be found across the United States, they are especially prevalent in California – likely due to the state’s large number of early 20th-century bungalows.
Prairie School
WikimediaPrairie School-style House is characterized by its low, horizontal lines and natural materials. This style was made famous by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
WikimediaPrairie School-style houses are usually found in the Midwest, where the flat landscape makes them a perfect fit. However, you can also find Prairie-style homes in other parts of the country, like California and Texas.
Bungalow
WikimediaBungalows are another popular American house style. They are usually one-and-a-half stories with a low-pitched roof and wide eaves. They often have dormers and porches. Bungalows are often built with natural materials like wood or stone.
Spanish Colonial Revival
WikimediaSpanish Colonial Revival House Style is most popular in the southwestern United States, California, and Florida. It’s characterized by stucco walls, red tile roofs, and arches. This style is a combination of Spanish Colonial architecture with Native American and Moorish influences.
Tudor Revival
WikimediaThe Tudor Revival style became popular in the early 20th century and is characterized by its half-timbered facade and steeply pitched roof. This style is often seen in the northeastern United States.
Gothic Revival
WikimediaGothic Revival-style homes were popular in the northeastern United States from 1840 to 1865. Gothic Revival houses are easily identified by their pointed arches, tall windows, and ornate details.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean House Style is also popular in the southern United States and is characterized by its use of stucco and tile. Mediterranean houses often have arched doorways and windows, as well as balconies or patios. This style of house is often seen in coastal areas, as it is designed to withstand high winds and heavy rains. Mediterranean homes are built to blend in with their natural environments and make homeowners feel at ease, thanks to large windows and doors that lead to patios, terraces, or balconies.
Modern
The Modern House Style is a distinctive architectural style of home that was built from the early 1900s to the 1950s. The Modernist architects wanted to create houses that were in contrast with traditional homes at the time. That’s why the focus was to create a simplified home with an emphasis on function and minimal decorations. Defining characteristics of the Modern style are usually a strong horizontal design, open floor plans, asymmetry, and large glass windows or glass walls. In addition, modern homes are designed to blur the lines between inside and outside by using the surrounding area to enhance the features of the home.
They are perfect for families who want a simple and practical home. California, Florida, and Texas are all states where modern-style homes are popular.
Contemporary
Contemporary and Modern styles are sometimes used interchangeably but they are two very different house styles.
The most prominent difference between Modern Homes and Contemporary Homes is that Modern is a defined style and doesn’t change. Contemporary, on the other hand, is always evolving in order to keep up with what is trending now and incorporates elements from previous eras.
The Contemporary style is more complex than the Modern style, incorporating free-form and elements from a wide range of design styles, including Craftsman design and Modern design itself.
Contemporary homes are often built using sustainable materials and energy-efficient design principles. The exterior of a contemporary home is often clean and simple.
Conclusion
The 15 unique American house styles we’ve explored are just a snapshot of the incredible diversity in housing across our great nation. From Craftsman bungalows to Contemporary houses, each style tells a story about the people who live there and the culture of the state or region where they reside. What’s your favorite American house style? Let us know in the comments!
