WHICH ONE WOULD YOU LIVE IN?
Which Are The 10 Most Popular Architectural Styles In America?
Image: Todd Kent
Land of the free, home of the brave, right? As far as architecture is concerned, that is very much true. As long as you can imagine it (and afford it, and get your blueprints approved), you can make it. America has many different styles of architecture , some more eccentric, some more unassuming. In this list, we have favored the latter and compiled ten of the most popular ones in the country because, as Tom Waits says, "What makes a house grand, ain't the roof or the doors. If there's love in a house, it's a palace for sure".
1
Townhouse
Image: Aman Kumar
Most commonly found in cities, townhouses have spacious layouts, more amenities than the condo styles, and lower maintenance than most residential homes. They’re typically two or three-story homes, usually sharing one or two walls with adjacent properties, and a rooftop deck to enjoy sprawling views.
While the most famous examples are the ones from New York or San Francisco, thanks to TV series and movies, these types of homes can be found all over the country.
2
Cape Cod
Image: Phil Hearing
Cape Cod houses bring to mind the classic American cottage style but with a weekend feel to them. This type of home design migrated from the UK to the United States, maintaining its symmetrical design and central chimney.
These houses feature a steep roof to keep snow from accumulating, dormer windows for added light, wood siding and shutters to keep the heat in, and hardwood floors for comfort and practicality.
3
Modern
Image: Avi Werde
Funny how the word "modern" is used to define things that happened 100 years ago, right? Emerging in the 1920s to embrace minimalism and reject the more ornate house styles, modern house styles include progressive elements such as asymmetrical exteriors, flat roofs, and integrated outdoor spaces.
Many modern interiors also feature minimal to zero molding and trim, neutral color palettes, and metal accents to accentuate the simplicity of its design.
4
Farmhouse
Image: Raychel Sanner
A house design that has been around for a long time, the farmhouse style was created back in the early 1700s, as housing for farmers and is all about practicality.
Modern farmhouses still showcase many of the same features from the original design such as large, wraparound front porches, clapboard siding, large fireplaces, wood floors, eat-in kitchens, and oversized kitchen sinks.
5
Craftsman
Image: Lernestorod
This style became increasingly popular in the 1900s and has remained a staple throughout the 21st century. Craftsman style adds charm to any neighborhood with its exterior features, including shingles, low-pitched roofs, and covered front porches.
These types of houses feature interior details such as thick trim, prominent ceiling beams, and built-in shelving and seating.
6
Contemporary
Image: James Kovin
A style often compared to modern style architecture, contemporary is very much a trend these days among house builders. These homes have simple forms without elaborate ornamentation or detail.
Showcasing geometric lines, large windows and doors to bring in light, and open floor plans, contemporary homes often incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly building materials, textures, and components, exposed roof beams, and flat or low-pitched roofs.
7
Cottage
Image: Czapp Botond
As the name implies, cottage houses of the 1920s and 30s were inspired by the cozy cottage-style houses of the English countryside, but with a more modern twist.
This style of house typically has a steep, thatched roof, arched doorways, and shuttered windows. They can be found in semi-rural areas, closed communities, and holiday spots, among other places.
8
Mid-Century Modern
Image: Lenalensen
A style that has been well represented in modern media, the mid-century modern style is part of the modernism movement and dates back to post-World War II, and remained popular throughout the 1970s.
This design is characterized by minimalism. Think of clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows, open layouts, and a mix of natural and manufactured materials for the interior elements like wood, stone, steel, and plastic.
9
Colonial
Image: Mateus Campos Felipe
Another early style, colonial architecture has maintained its allure in many parts of the United States. These classic homes are known for their vintage charm, decorative doorways, and symmetrical window placement.
Many of these houses will be similar to the Cape Cod-style home because of their symmetry and side-gabled roofs but with two or three stories, fireplaces, and brick or wood exteriors.
10
Ranch
Image: Michal Průcha
A style that dates back to the 1930s, ranch homes grew in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s, and are still popular today. This architecture is known for its simple, single-story floor plan, low-to-the-ground look, often with an open layout and occasional basement.
With a smaller yard, attached garage, and a low-pitched roof, the ranch-style home often features large windows and sliding glass doors, encouraging an indoor-outdoor living style. A ranch can also be called a ‘rambler,’ depending on which region in the country it is located.
