Just like any other trend, housing styles become popular and then become outdated. Homes are made for protection, privacy, and are a treasure trove of memories. Some homes are extremely practical while others are an income class trophy, nonetheless, the desire to own one’s own home is a goal nearly every American tries to obtain.
That being said, our homes are an extension of ourselves and we all have different tastes. Home styles today are adaptations of their residential ancestors, with Ranch and Mid-century as the two most common house styles currently being built. Let’s take a look at some of the most common house styles throughout history in the United States:
Bungalow: These houses were built for the working class. They will have different influences based on where they’re built. For example, houses built on the west coast may have more Spanish influences whereas Bungalows constructed on the east coast may have more English influences. As far as basic features, Bungalows are generally built in Craftsman style – they are usually one-and-a-half stories with a low-pitched roof. Dormer windows are common and the overall design is simple
Cape Cod: Some might say that the little green houses in Monopoly resemble a Cape Cod style home; the central chimney location is the first indicator. These homes are prominent on the east coast and were brought to America by early settlers from England in the 1600s. True to the English style, these homes can have natural or pre-stained weathered gray shingles (the natural shingles actually get their look by becoming weathered due to ocean salt in the air).
Colonial: Ultimately, our home is built for protection from the weather. Original homes used whatever materials were nearby including local wood and stone. Colonial homes are one of the oldest styles in America so it makes sense this style has undergone a ton of architectural design changes. This house style is a derivative of the Colonial style. There are many types of Colonial styles including Spanish Colonial, German Colonial, Stone Ender, Georgian Colonial, French Colonial, Federal, Mid-Atlantic Colonial, and Dutch Colonial.
Dutch Colonial: These home-styles are sometimes referred to as “barn roof houses” because of their distinctive gambrel roof. This name actually derives from the Dutch Colonists who settled in parts of New York and New Jersey. Original Dutch Colonial homes have exposed ceiling beams. This style has either one-and-a-half or two stories and at least one chimney.
Log Cabin: Some of the very first homes built in the U.S. were square or rectangular homes made out of logs (if you’ve ever played with Lincoln Logs, you know the style really well). What isn’t commonly known is that this style actually was in use by the Swedes before being brought to America. Log homes are still prevalent but have also been seriously upgraded. A log home isn’t always tree logs, today these home-styles (found predominately in mountainous areas, such as Colorado) are fit for the rich and famous. Log Cabins can be found scattered throughout the woods and make for great campsites, but today these homes are known as Mountain Houses and resemble the stereotypical ski-lodge look.
Ranch: This home-style isn’t your typical farm ranch, but instead is a one-story home with an open floor plan. These homes are usually L-shaped or have an asymmetrical floor plan as well as an attached garage. People who don’t want stairs are more fond of this house-style since it’s all one level (sometimes with a basement). Ranch-style homes were popular from the 1950s to the 1970s and then regained popularity in the ’90s. This style of home is appealing to nearly any age homeowner in design and in price.
Split-Level: This home usually greets you with a set of stairs right as you walk through the main entrance. The bottom level is an open finished basement and the top level is where the kitchen and bedrooms are. Split-Level homes also may have another set of stairs in the inside of the house to yet another level (referred to as Tri-Level).
Victorian: If you love the doll-house look, this house style is for you. Like Colonials, Victorian architecture is now a collaboration of many designs. The height of this house-style in the U.S. was between 1830 and 1901 under the reign of Queen Victoria (United Kingdom). These houses are very ornate mainly due to the boom of mass-production and mass-transit, which made the decorative pieces more affordable. Stained glass was also a common feature during this time. Victorian-style homes are traditionally tall and narrow and include a tower or two. Carved woodwork and high ceilings are also common features within a Victorian-style home.
Like we said previously, your home is an extension of you, and we at Stott Custom Homes understand that. We want to help you build your dream home! With your wish list in hand, we invite you to look at our three design options: Basic Floor Plan, Custom Floor Plan, or the Third-Party Custom Floor Plan. We place emphasis on customer delight and high-quality materials. Our portfolio is available on our website. Contact us today to get started on your dream home!
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