Whether it’s your first home or your home away from home, each house possesses its own unique qualities. Trends will always rise and fall, but here are seven of the most tried and true popular architectural house styles in the United States right now, according to DIY Network:
Cape Cod
Standout features: cedar shingles, large chimneys and windows on either side of the front door.
Colonial
Also a trend of 1600s America, colonial style homes were often diverse in style due to the wide range of American pioneers.
Standout features: symmetrically-spaced windows with shutters and columns.
French Provincial
Growing in popularity in the U.S. after World War I, French Provincial-style homes were inspired by the rich properties of the French countryside.
Standout features: steep roofs and symmetrical windows.
Neoclassical
Neoclassical-style homes are inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. You might notice that several government buildings or colleges prefer this style especially. Perhaps the most famous owner of this style was President Thomas Jefferson and his Monticello home.
Standout features: tall columns, flamboyant doorways, and lots of window space.
Ranch
As inferred in its name, ranch-style houses were modeled after Western ranches, first built in the 1930s. They vary in size and style, but are built primarily for practicality and easy access to the outdoors.
Standout features: attached garages and open floor plans.
Tudor
Like the Cape Cod style, Tudor-style homes were first built in England. However, they were mostly built in affluent neighborhoods in the United States when they first came on to the housing scene in the early 1900s. These homes are mainly found in the Midwest or on the East Coast because of how the steep roofs are good for snowfall.
Standout features: half-timber framing and steep, pitched roofs.
Victorian
During the rule of Queen Victoria, Victorian architecture emerged between 1830 and 1910. This particular type of structure has several subtypes, including Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Italianate. These houses cater more to complex design rather than functionality.
Standout features: large porches, decorative trim, and staggering roof lines.
Think you may have found a house style to jive with your personality and lifestyle? We hope so! Depending on the neighborhood and which region you live in, some of these styles may be more difficult to find. But, you never know; you might just find that diamond in the rough.