There are many of architectural styles in the US have influenced home design from coast-to-coast. Terms like 'modern' and 'contemporary' vary locally, but fixed features and principles can identify these popular frameworks. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new home or you’re just admiring the architecture in your neighborhood, learn about the different house styles and their defining characteristics. Today’s home buyers encounter a melting pot of architectural styles across the United States, ranging from sprawling Queen Annes to clean-lined contemporaries. But which styles reign supreme? For your shopping (and dreaming) pleasure, we've rounded up examples of the 12 most popular styles. Check them out, choose your favorite facade, and then head out on a house-hunting expedition.
Contemporary
Many newly constructed homes incorporate a wide variety of architectural influences, giving them a 'contemporary' look. A contemporary home is one that reflects the current style, which in this case would be XXI century architecture and design.
Traditional & Cape Cod
Originally built by English settlers in the 17th century, Cape Cod homes saw a resurgence in popularity during the 1940s. An original Cape Cod house is a small, rectangular, unadorned one to one-and-a-half-story cottage with a steep pitched roof to keep snow from piling up and side gables.
A traditional home is the most common style in the United States. It is a mix of many classic, simple designs typical of the country's many regions. Common features include little ornamentation, simple rooflines, symmetrically spaced windows.
Ranch-Style House
One of the most popular home style in the U.S., ranches typically feature a long, open lay-out contained on a single story. Low rooflines and 'L' or 'U' shaped floor plans also predominated this popular style from the '40s through '80s. Americans loved their open, single-story floor plans, attached front garage, sliding glass doors, and low rooflines.
European-Style
European style homes is one of the most popular house plans in the US now. Massive entry door, big windows and stone decorations at the exterior. Big fireplace, hardwood floor, stone, and marble elements inside. European-style homes present with many similar elements of modern house, contemporary homes, and mid-century modern design - serving as a testament to the trending nature of these styles.
Modern House
Often confused with contemporary architecture, the term modernism applies to many homes built from the 1910s to 1980.
Colonial (American Colonial, Colonial Revival)
A colonial-style home usually has a simple, borderline minimalist rectangular shape. Inspired by 18th century design, architects of the Colonial Revival style pay the same attention to symmetry, but also borrow elements from other movements. They tend to be two to three stories tall with fireplaces and brick or wood facades. Colonial homes are traditionally found on the east coast of the United States.
The Spanish colonial style was to the Southwest and Florida what the Colonial Revival and Tudor were to the Northeast and Midwest: an incredibly popular style that filled out the suburbs in the years after World War I. Often found in Florida and California, these homes also draw on the missions and pueblos of the West.
Country-Style House
The country style is a broad compassing style of design and home construction that is loosely based on traditional farmhouse styles.
Tudor Revival
Tudor homes share several common features: a steeply pitched roof with multiple overlapping, front-facing gables; a facade that's predominantly covered in brick but accented with half-timber framing (widely spaced wooden boards with stucco or stone in between). Though the style began in the late 19th century, it was immensely popular in the growing suburbs of the 1920s. A version of Tudor came back into vogue in the late 20th century.
Log Cabins
Log cabin house built of logs notched at the ends and laid one upon another with the spaces filled with plaster, moss, mortar, mud, or dried manure. The term 'log cabin' generally refers to a smaller, more rustic log house, such as a hunting cabin in the woods, that may or may not have electricity or plumbing.
American Craftsman
Craftsman style house characterized a covered front porch, tapered columns that support the roof and are typically more sturdy at the bottom, becoming smaller at the top, deep overhanging roof eaves. Many of these homes are bungalow-style and are known for their natural materials, cozy interiors, and wide porches. They're particularly popular in California and the Midwest, and appeal primarily to those who love vintage homes.
Mediterranean Style
Mediterranean types of houses have spread from Spain and Italy and landed solidly in the United States. Famous throughout warm-weather climates, Mediterranean style houses can be purchased mainly in California and Florida.