Types of House Styles

You’ve certainly noticed that there are a lot of terms around house styles and their structures, whether you’re shopping for your first home or new investment property. Understanding this term will help you select the home you want, anticipate common difficulties during your home inspection, and learn about the advantages of different home types.

It’s crucial to remember that a home is classified based on two key factors, one is its structure and another is its style. The style of home refers to the architectural characteristics and design, such as Mediterranean-style homes, Victorian homes, Craftsman or contemporary, and the structure refers to the type of building, such as a single-family home or an apartment.

While many of the house types introduced to North America by the early European settlers like France were popular until the mid-20th century, new forms like the crafts movement have joined them, giving homeowners a wider range of options.

There’s something for everyone’s taste, from Tudor homes to Spanish Colonial or Victorian style and Victorian era and 19th century to something more modern or postmodern or post world war or something in between.

Read also – 25 Types of Rooms in A House

For millennia, house styles have changed to reflect changes in taste, lifestyle, and surroundings. Exploring the different house styles that make up American neighborhoods allows you to visualize your ideal home and know precisely what you want before you buy. Below is the list of 20 types of different house styles:

With a fresh focus on sustainability, contemporary homes are similar to mid-century modern homes.

Features:

• Its structure emphasizes geometry.
• Exterior with asymmetry
• Layout with an open floor plan

Pros:

• They are designed to save energy.
• In this type of house style, the available space is effectively utilized and complements the overall structure.
• Built with an open floor layout.

Cons:

• It can be expensive to heat or cool a spacious open-plan home if it is not positioned for solar gain.
• Wide windows might provide a magnificent view of your home to neighbors and passers-by.

Read also – 21 Most Popular Types of Interior Design Styles

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This type of house is made of brick or wood, with the garage in the front. Ranch houses are single story as well as broad.

Features:

• Open floor layouts that are rectangular, “U,” or “L” shaped
• An attached garage or a basement is included.
• Low-pitched roofs on single-story floor plans

Pros

• Heating and cooling are easier in this home styles
• Comfortable for casual living
• It’s easier to design and more efficient than other types of home styles.

Cons

• To build a ranch-style home comfortably, you’ll need additional acreage.
• The cost of adding on is higher because the foundation must be extended.
• Because of the huge windows in the front of the house, there is less privacy.

Read also – 15 Best Home Addition Ideas To Expand Your Square Footage

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Features:

• A special feature of this kind of home style is paladin or tripartite windows.
• A layout centered on a central hall.

Pros

• This type of house is really durable.
• Their attractiveness is enhanced by high ceilings, wide windows, decorative doors, and ceiling patterns.

Cons

• Hand-carved finishes of the house necessitate time-consuming care.
• Repairs might get costly.

Read also – 15 Best Home Staging Tips To Sell Your House Fast

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Cottage-style houses are often charming and warm, with an emphasis on charm and comfort above adornment. Cottage houses are available in a number of styles, including bungalows, Tudor houses, and others.

Features:

• Floor layouts with open corridors and doors
• Exterior asymmetry
• Usually, one to one and a half stories

Pros

• Housekeeping tasks take significantly less time.
• These houses are less expensive to purchase, heat/cool, and furnish/decorate.

Cons

• Smaller houses provide less space to work with.
• In remote areas, unexpected maintenance concerns caused by wildlife or extreme weather are typical.

Read also – 15 Best Celebrity Homes for Design Inspiration

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For a long time, the farmhouse-style house has been a popular favorite in home design because of its warmth, inviting draw, and traditionalistic design. The modern interpretation of this classic home design deviates significantly from tradition, with clean, contemporary lines and also simple elements.

Features:

• Family rooms are segregated from formal front rooms.
• Traditional kitchen designs with open concepts
• Sitting room or living room with floor-to-ceiling windows
• Front porches that are spacious

Pros

• These types of homes are less pricey.
• There is enough space to indulge in your interests and raise your children in perfect seclusion.
• This can be an excellent option for rearing your own animals.

Cons

• If the house has not been carefully maintained, there may be some structural issues.
• Repairs can be very costly.

Read also – 10 Best Front and Back Porch Design Ideas

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The Pueblo Revival style is one of the few styles that originated in the United States. Native American pueblo architecture directly influenced the style, which has been adapted to both private and public buildings. It works especially well for multifamily houses, which are reminiscent of Native American pueblos’ original multifamily nature.

Features:

• It features vigas or protruding wooden roof beams
• Earth tones that are reminiscent of desert colors
• Parapet-trimmed flat roofs

Pros

• In extremely hot areas, thick clay walls provide natural cooling.
• In all weather conditions, their enclosed courtyards are ideal for lounging and entertaining.
• This contemporary take on an ancient form of the house is perfectly suited to modern lifestyles.

Cons

• There is a leakage risk with flat Pueblo-style roofs.
• True clay houses thrive in dry, moderate climates.

Read also – How To Choose The Exterior Paint Colors for A House?

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A townhouse, often known as a townhome, is a privately owned dwelling with at least one shared wall and its own entrance from the street. They are mainly common in large cities with limited space.

Features:

• Multiple floors are added to enhance vertical space.
• They have separate entrances.
• The houses range in height from two to three floors.

Pros

• They are often less expensive than similar single-family houses.
• Because of their small yards, they require less exterior maintenance.

Cons

• Outdoor area for private use is limited.
• There may be little or no off-street parking available.

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Spanish and Italian villas are incorporated into Mediterranean-style residences. Because there is a strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, they are most popular in temperate climates like California and Florida. Tiled roofs, white stucco walls, warm stone and wood, and metal work on balconies and windows are all included.

Features:

• Windows and doors with arches
• Wrought iron, massive doors, and beautiful tiles can be some of the ornamentations
• Traditional red tile roofs with white or brown stucco walls

Pros

• Houses like this one are cool and breezy in the summer time.
• The antique lime plaster walls contribute to a consistent indoor temperature.

Read also – 11 Best Home Decorating Ideas

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Victorian mansions, named after Queen Victoria, first appeared in the 1830s and remained fashionable until the early 1900s. They are often two to three floors in height, with elaborate characteristics such as bay windows, tiny towers, dormers, porches, steep gable roofs, and vividly colored exterior.

There are other designs that draw on these primary characteristics, including more ornate forms like gothic revival and Queen Anne, as well as less decorative types like folk.

Features:

• Porches of varying widths
• Woodwork and trim that is richly detailed
• Roofs with slanted gables

Pros

• Historical significance
• A diverse range of architectural styles

Cons

• Smaller rooms with less storage
• Constructed on a thin foundation

Read also – 6 Steps To Design Your Dream Home

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Due to their majestic columns that resemble those found on the Parthenon and other iconic Greek monuments, Greek revival-style residences are some of the simplest to spot. This style, which was influenced by Greek democracy, philosophy, and culture, first appeared in the United States in the 1830s.

Features:

• Protected entryways and large porches
• A rectangular building with triangular roofing is an easy-to-recognize shape.
• Square and circular Greek-inspired columns

Pros

• These lavish residences are both extravagant as well as secluded.
• In the summer, high ceilings allow for more airflow and keep the rooms cooler.
• Unique in style.

Cons

• Cleaning on a weekly basis takes time and it is also very expensive.
• Leakage is a concern with low-pitched roofs.
• It may be difficult to lock the numerous entryway windows on this form of property.

Read also – 20 Ways To Add Color To Your Home Without Painting

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Asymmetrical design, romanticism, and Medieval influence persist in Italianate architecture, which borrows aspects from Medieval Italy. The Italianate style is prevalent all along the East Coast, peaking between 1850 and 1880.

Features:

• Ornate hood moulds adorn tall, narrow windows.
• Details and decorations in cast iron
• Natural light and ventilation are provided by belvederes.

Pros

• The longevity of this style is due to its simple form and resilient building materials.
• East coast Italianates‘ masonry walls can last for decades.

Cons

• On wood-sided Italianates, regular painting is required to keep their luster.
• These houses’ gentle slanting roofs aren’t great in snowy climes.

Read also – 10 Best Home Remodeling Ideas

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The popular “Colonial style” has been updated with this American Rooted Style. The colonial house is influenced by European styles brought by 18th-century colonists.

Features:

• Floor plans that can be modified
• Windows with decorative shutters
• Double-hung windows with a symmetrical pattern
• One or two stories

Pros

• Being so near to nature provides healthier air and greater mental wellness.
• Lower cost of living
• It provides a lot of space to grow.

Cons

• You’ll have less access to government services.

Read also – 6 Key Differences Between Traditional Homes and Modern Homes

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The majority of today’s Dutch Colonial homes date from the early twentieth century’s Colonial Revival period. Flared roof eaves and inventive wood and masonry are hallmarks of Dutch Colonial architecture. Though the Dutch Colonial Revival style is more muted than the original Dutch Colonial residences, they are far more ornate than traditional colonial homes.

Features:

• Gambrel roof and Dutch door
• Fireplace and chimney
• Wooden shutters and natural materials

Pros

• These types of homes are well-proportioned, detailed, and have beautiful front doors.
• The upper levels have 8-foot ceilings.

Cons

• Kitchens are frequently separated from living rooms and dining rooms.

Read also – 50 Amazing Front Porch Decorating Ideas

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The Cape Cod style was developed in the 1700s in the Massachusetts town of the same name. These homes are attractive but tough, designed to weather the harsh winters of New England.

Wood siding, shingles on the roof, and a central door with a window on either side were common features of early Cape Cod houses. These elements are still used today, although the homes are larger and have more windows as a result.

Features:

• Symmetrical front entry
• Window shutters on double-hung windows
• Chimneys are centralized
• Exterior decoration is simple.

Pros

• Their roofs are modest and have a straightforward shape. This makes replacing their roof simple and inexpensive.
• A Cape Cod home‘s ideal layout creates a welcoming and intimate atmosphere.
• In the winter, the Cape Cod roofs are slanted to allow snow and ice to fall off.

Cons

• It can be difficult to keep a Cape Cod style home cool during summer time.
• Heat dispersion is uneven.

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The Craftsman style emphasizes the importance of well-crafted, handcrafted structures. Craftsman houses are typically horizontal and strong. On their porches, they have stunning hand-worked materials, exposed beams, low-pitched gable roofs, and tapered columns. Custom components such as built-in bookcases and a hand-laid fireplace may be found inside.

Features:

• The entrance is lined with pillars.
• Rafters exposed beneath the eaves
• The top and bottom panes of glass on double-hanging windows are distinct.

Pros

• They have unique features such as built-ins, artisan windows, and handcrafted trim work.
• They were designed with functionality and family-friendly layouts in mind.
• Built with high-quality material

Cons

• There is usually no central air conditioning.
• When compared to newer properties, maintenance can be more expensive.

Read also – 18 Ways To Incorporate Biophilic Interior Design into Your Home

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Georgian style, often known as Georgian English architecture, is a regal style that gets its name from being the most prevalent architectural style between 1714 and 1830 when the first four British kings reigned.

Features:

• Form and fenestration are symmetrical.
• Front entry pediment or crown and pilasters
• Walls are made of stone or brick.

Pros

• You will feel a sense of grandeur with the beautiful doors, fireplaces, and crown molding.
• The multiple large windows and lofty ceilings provide plenty of natural light.
• The living spaces are well defined

Cons

• Rooms are intimate
• Higher maintenance cost.

Read also – Traditional Interior Design Style

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Modern houses, often known as mid-century modern, are gaining popularity among homeowners. These residences were built between 1935 and 1975 and are divided into two types: ranch and split-level.

Features:

• Connected garages and open kitchens
• Interior design is based on functionality, arts and crafts style era
• Organic and geometric elements are combined.
• Open floor layouts are designed to complement indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Pros

• Their huge glass windows and squarish style create a powerful statement.
• It can be mixed with various styles of décor

Cons

• It’s paradoxical that the smokiest, gassiest kind of heating would take up valuable living room space.
• Open-concept homes are more challenging to heat and cool.

Read also – Mid Century Modern Interior Design Ideas

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Split-level homes evolved from ranch-style homes and gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. The separation of the living spaces is what distinguishes a split-level home. Split-level homes, not just one level have various floors linked by short flights of steps.

Features:

• Window with a large view.
• Roofs with a low pitch.
• The facade is asymmetrical.

Pros

• The split-level layout provides more separation between one story the downstairs and upper areas than other home designs and is ideal for those who want to have an office, gym, or hobby space downstairs.
• On any particular property, there may be more room to play with in terms of yard size.
• Split-level homes can easily be modified.

Cons

• Remodeling Constraints
• There are numerous stairwells.

Read also – 16 Different Types of Staircases

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Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect, popularized prairie-style houses. With low and long shapes in the floor plan and building elements, these residences celebrate and enhance the natural beauty of the Midwestern terrain.

Features:

• Exteriors using thin bricks or stucco to complement the contour of the house
• Roofs that are flat or shallow and steep roofs also have overhanging eaves
• Buildings are long and low to the earth

Pros

• The house has a stunning stone and concrete massing.
• The property is very secluded.

Cons

• The ceilings aren’t all that high.

Read also – 15 Ways To Add Coastal Interior Design Style To Your Home

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Shotgun houses are prevalent in the Southwest, particularly in the New Orleans area. They are often narrow, with rooms arranged in a straight line with no passageways. The living room is at the front, while the kitchen is in the back.

Features:

• A gabled roof, particularly if constructed during the 1800s
• Painted in vibrant colors
• There are no hallways or side windows.

Pros

• The lack of hallways and high ceilings enable an efficient cross-ventilation and cooling system.
• Lower property taxes may be possible.
• Those placed on stilts benefit from cooling from below as well as flood protection.

Cons

• Insufficient privacy between rooms
• For the same square footage, more building material is utilized, which means more possible upkeep.

Read also – 18 Ways To Integrate Japandi Interior Design Style Into Your Home

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It’s evident that homes come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes, each with its own set of traits and design aspects. As the real estate sector evolves, we wonder what new styles and types of homes may emerge across all over the world. You have the option of selecting the house style that best suits your lifestyle, location as well as your personal taste.

Many elements go into deciding which style of house is ideal for you. Cost is, of course, a big consideration. Some house styles are more common in areas where real estate is expensive, which raises the average price. Similarly, if a particular style is uncommon in your area, you may end up paying more.

What are the 5 types of houses?

The most frequent house types include:

1. Townhouse
2. Single-family home
3. Multi-family home
4. Condo
5. Co-op

2. What are the different types of houses?

There are about 35 different types of houses, each with its own architectural characteristics. Below is the list of some different types of houses.

• Semi-detached home
• Apartments
• Condominiums
• Ranch style
• Colonial style
• Victorian style
• Tudor style etc.

3. What is the most popular house style?

Some of the most popular house styles are:

• Craftsman style houses
• Victorian-style houses
• Mediterranean style houses
• Modern and contemporary style houses etc.

 4. What is a modern-style house?

Clean lines and geometric shapes are prominent in modern home design. Arches, ornate columns, window shutters, and other bizarre embellishments like french styles are no longer allowed. Simple shapes and purposeful asymmetry have taken the place of these elements that once spoke of luxury and affluence. The prior opulence is no longer available.

 5. What style is a 2-story house?

Houses in the Colonial style typically have two or three floors, fireplaces, and brick or wood facades. The kitchen and family room are on the first level of a traditional Colonial-style house with half-timbering hipped rooflines, while the bedrooms are on the second.

 6. What style is a brick house?

Houses in the Colonial style typically have two or three floors, fireplaces, and brick or wood facades.

 7. What are modern houses called?

Between the 1960s and 1970s, modern houses were called contemporary-style residences which were very fashionable.