Learn about styles that have stood the test of time – and contemporary styles that have quickly become new favorites.
Wondering what style of house to build or purchase? Or do you have design envy about a house you’ve spotted but don’t know what style to call it? We’ll walk through today’s most popular modern architectural styles, so you’ll know your options.
Popular home styles vary by region, with Colonial taking the lead for popularity in the Northeast and ranch-style winning out in the Midwest, according toBankRate.
If building a home, you may want to choose a style that fits the character of your region, which could potentially increase its value if you decide to sell it down the road.
Read on to learn about the styles that are most popular today, including those with a long, rich history as well as newer, modern homes, and more experimental styles.
Colonial Styles
Harkening back to design choicesfrom the 1600sthrough the end of the Colonial period, this style features a rectangular design, often with side gables. The Colonial house usually has a central front door leading to a large main entrance area and symmetrical, evenly spaced windows.
Variations exist as well. In the southeast, you’ll see French Colonials with their large upper and lower porches, notes Homes and Gardens. In the Northeast, you’ll find Dutch Colonials with rounded gambrel roofs. And let’s not forget Georgian Colonials (named for the style that grew popular during King George’s reign) with their stately appearance, ample square footage, and often decorative elements like balustrades.
Tudor
The Tudor style, modeled loosely after earlier homes from the Tudor era, grew popular again in the 1920s. Its half-timber framing, steep rooflines, and gables can take the form of a small cottage or a sprawling estate. Standing two or three stories high, these modern homes have a cantilevered second story that stretches over their front porch.
Federal Style Architecture
Popular after colonialism and during the American Revolution, federal style architecture is still present in modernist architecture. Homes are more box-like and rely on simple features like dormer windows or porches to add depth and dimension.
Mid-Century Modern
Withclean, geometric lines, a mid-century modern house has minimal ornamentation and an open floor plan. Mid-century modern homes might be single-story or include split-level spaces connected by shorter flights of stairs. Large windows often accentuate biophilic design, allowing the indoor and outdoor spaces to complement each other.
Gothic Revival
The dramatic form of a Gothic revival house creates a storybook look reminiscent of medieval times. These houses feature a pointed archway and a steep,often cross-gabledroofline. The style had its heyday from the1830s to 1860s, but Gothic-inspired homes can still be found around the U.S. today.
We see examples of Gothic architecture throughout Europe in the form of cathedrals. Tall spires, pointed arches, flying buttresses, and extremely ornate exteriors characterize the Gothic style.
Craftsman
Also called “ the Arts and Crafts movement,” this style makes use of natural materials and—you guessed it—a handcrafted approach. From1900 to 1930, this countercultural movement took shape in response to the Industrial Revolution, reflecting a desire to return back to simpler ways of doing things that relied on the builder’s talents.
These bungalow-style modern homes have wide eave overhangs, tapered porch columns, a large front porch, and exposed beams inside the home that add a warm glow. They often feature thoughtful interior woodwork, like built-in shelving and ornate trim, as well.
Modern Farmhouse
Themodern farmhouseputs a fresh spin on a classic style. Based on elements deemed reliable and functional early on in American history, it features an open floor plan with a high vaulted, gabled roof.
Farmhouses sometimes feature wrap-around porches as well as dormer windows. Commonly painted white, these modern homes remain very popular in Texas and across the U.S. Modern updates include the use of sleek new elements like metal or glass and large windows that bring in the light.
Cape Cod
A large central chimney, a steep, shingled roof, shingled siding (often in a weathered gray tone), and shutters characterize Cape Cod-style homes. They feature dormer windows to either side of the chimney and a narrow, steep “captain’s stairway” to the second floor.
While the Cape Cod originally took the form of a cozy cottage—and many still do—larger Cape Cod homes have become increasingly popular as well. They’re extremely versatile in terms of custom design, featuring everything from bay windows to screened-in porches.
Ranch
Often low-key and unassuming, a 20th century ranch house features an open floor plan with lots of family living space. These homes are often appealing for their lack of stairs, as ranch houses traditionally have a one-level design (although many now have finished basem*nts that offer extra bedrooms or living space).
Ranch-styles homes now come innumerous variations, from the sprawling California ranch to the suburban ranch, which sometimes has acompact L-shaped or U-shaped design, and the storybook ranch, which features more ornamental details.
Cottage
A cottage often has an old-world flavor, using stonework to create a charming facade. These quaint dwellings often feature an asymmetrical front and steeply pitched roofs, says House Digest. The interior commonly makes use of wood and stone as well.
Ranch-styles homes now come in numerous variations, from the sprawling California ranch to the suburban ranch, which sometimes has a compact L-shaped or U-shaped design, and the storybook ranch, which features more ornamental details.
Art Deco Architecture
Art Deco architecture, which achieved enormous popularity in the 1920s and ’30s, has aniconic lookcharacterized by bold accents, sleek lines, and geometric details.Walls and other elements often have rounded corners, and these houses usually have a stucco exterior that features contrasting colors.
With art deco, we’ve come full circle: What’s old is new again. The art deco style is alive in the modern ’20s, as noted in furniture, wallpaper patterns, and the structure itself. Look for metallic colors, elaborate door surrounds, and curved shapes in this particular style. In terms of public buildings, the Chrysler Building is an excellent example of art deco structures.
Victorian Architecture (Queen Anne)
The Queen Anne style remains beloved by many, and such homes are carefully preserved. Victorian architecture can be found in just about any city in the U.S., many of which have been turned into museums or bed and breakfasts.
Of the many architectural styles, the Victorian style is one of the most recognizable, even if you’re not up to snuff on home designs. They’re usually large and imposing, have miles of decorative trim, and quite possibly a tower. They typically feature a front door and porch set off to one side, as well asornate elementslike a turret and gables.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean-style modern homes have Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, and Italian influences. With low-pitched red-tiled roofs, arches with recessed entryways, and stuccoed exteriors, they’ve become popular in warmer places like California, notes Bob Vila.The traditional clay roof tiles fare best inwarm, dry climates. Southwest architecture takes its cues from these elements and is a popular option in Texas.
Rustic
Rustic modern houses are inspired by the log cabin or hunting lodge look. While they come in many shapes and sizes, from simple to sprawling, they’re characterized by natural materials like exposed wood and stone. They often have a cathedral ceiling of natural wood, and many of today’s rustic houses have large windows, adding the warm glow of natural light.
Contemporary Architectural Style
A category in modern architecture, contemporary homes usually take anasymmetrical formthat follows minimalist design principles. For instance, the form could be L-shaped, juxtaposing the garage with the living space. Sporting clean lines and avoiding ornate details, contemporary homes typically are made up of geometric shapes with flat roofs and endless design possibilities. And rather than just using wood and plaster, they make use ofsteel, glass, and concrete.
Transitional Architecture
Transitional architecture blends the old and the new. Traditional forms blend with modern materials like industrial metals in these homes,featuring open floor plans. Butblendis the key word—they don’t have the experimental look of contemporary or modern homes.
Additionally, these homes feature ornamental touches that contemporary architecture lacks, adding coziness and warmth. At the same time, they have a more sleek and polished appearance than many traditional styles. You might see large windows and glass doors along with crown molding in a transitional home, for instance.
Classical Architecture
Popular in Greece and Rome, the timelessness of classical architecture (you might also hear it referred to as Roman classical architecture) focuses on symmetry, proportion, and order. These structures often deliver a sense of grandeur and enormity, featuring elements like columns, arches, and domes. Fine details like carvings and ornamentation give life to buildings typically seen as cold or austere.
While popular for government buildings, this design can also be seen in homes (Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, for example).
Bauhaus Architecture
A fragment of the industrial age, Bauhaus architecture hones in on simplicity, functional design, and the use of industrial materials. This style fits perfectly with minimalist themes in recent years, emphasizing clean lines and geometric forms. As for defining features, think glass curtain walls, flat roofs, and asymmetry.
Beaux Arts Architecture
Also known as neoclassical architecture, Beaux arts architecture derives from a fine arts school in France of the same name. Beaux arts buildings typically combine the classicism of Greek and Roman buildings along with the Baroque style. This architectural style has also become popular in mansions among elitists.
Other Architectural Styles to Inspire Your Home Design
While some architectural styles may be better suited for non-residential buildings, they can still help you craft your dream home.
Baroque Architecture
This ornate style of architecture from the 17th century thrives on intricate details that create a sense of movement. Bold curves, sculptures, decorative elements, and frescoes are hallmarks of baroque interior design. It symbolizes a sense of power and authority and celebrates excess and theatrics. Notable examples include the Royal Palace of Madrid and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Brutalist Architecture
Brutalist architecture is an international style that emerged in the UK during the 20th century. Part of the after-effects of World War 2, this minimalist design features bare buildings (usually made of concrete), monochrome color palettes, and utilitarian design.
Finding Your Perfect Architectural Style
While we’ve focused on residential properties here, these modern architecture styles have also influenced commercial design. Public buildings and urban settings give future homeowners plenty of eye candy from which to build your own design.
Take the Empire State Building, for example. It’s a dominating force in the New York City skyline and commands attention by all who see it. The Grand Central Terminal is another beautiful example of what could be. High ceilings, tall arches, large windows, and ornate design can be replicated in a custom home.
In short, architecture begins with the right inspiration. Looking at various home architectural styles as well as those in institutional buildings or public spaces can send your design in the right direction.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, browse our architectural design gallery. Our innovative architects at Webber Studio have been designing bespoke homes in a range of architectural styles for over 20 years. If you have a custom home design you want to be created,contact usand let’s build something special together.
