You may have decided to design and decorate your home after a certain theme. With your basic understanding and your designer’s reference, you collect different materials to get the right feel. Based on your desire, they suggest architectural details which make you realize how fabulous a specific style can be. But can you identify all American homes by their look? Some most common designs include colonial, Victoria, cottage, ranch, French country, craftsman, contemporary, Mediterranean, and Tudor. Will you be able to tell one apart from the other?
Whether you want to buy a new home, remodel your old house, add a second level to the existing structure, or accentuate the curb appeal, knowing about different architectural styles can help you make your choices more refined. You can also admire the process of building and designing a house much more. So, let’s begin this journey.
French country homes
A French country home usually features one level, narrow windows, steeply pitched roofs, stucco walls, partial timbered frames, matching shutters, and more. This specific style in the US goes back to the 18th century when most of the North American region was under France’s control. The houses dotted the waterways, such as the Mississippi valleys, Great Lakes, etc. However, the house theme started disappearing after President Thomas Jefferson’s entry into Louisiana in 1803. Still, the design maintained its fandom in New Orleans and other places for the latter part of the century.
If you wish, you can revive the charm of a French-country-style home through warm neutral shades, organic materials, worn-out finishes, and old furnishings. The house enjoys excellent curb appeal with a beautiful landscape and driveways. Some people design their kitchens and bathroom after this theme. You can take inspiration from them. For instance, kitchens can replicate the vibe using decorative artificial finishes, glazed cabinets, wood-inlay design on the floor, marble countertops, and unique woodwork with a vintage aura. Bathrooms can have crystal chandeliers, round tubs, decorative window trims, and more. You can improve the sink area also by pairing the basin with the right faucet. When shopping for bathroom faucets, keep your decor style in mind. It will help.
Colonial homes
This style comes from the colonial era. But many changes have happened in this area since Colonial Revival. A colonial-style house boasts two to three floors, wood or brick exteriors, and fireplaces. The first floor accommodates the family room and kitchen, while the second has bedrooms. Although it can be challenging to match the charm of brick facades, these homes are easy to copy. Divided windows, smooth exteriors, and hand-picked siding materials can do justice to the theme.
Victorian homes
You can see many examples of this type of decor. Check Queen Anne’s house, for instance. This style emerged in 1837 and faded in 1907. These homes stand out for their distinctive romantic air and splendid patterns, colors, and textures, etc. Urban dwellers have taken a modern approach toward this design as they use traditional traits with modern colors and fabrics. You can also walk this path easily. Remember, Victorian designs usually come with front-facing gable, pattern-rich shingles, steeply pitched roofs, and bay windows. A spacious front porch and asymmetrical facade can be additional highlights.
If you are thinking about the traditional bit, pick classic furniture pieces, dressy walls, and refined floor coverings. These will do the job. You can also choose saturated and neutral shades in their soft forms.
Craftsman homes
Also called Arts and Crafts decor, this style enjoyed immense popularity from 1900 to 1930. Fortunately, this design has made a comeback for admirers. You can recognize this style by its woodwork in the interiors. Notice seating and shelving arrangements for this. You can also pay attention to the outside to find low-pitched roofs, overhanging eaves, bare roof rafters, porches with square columns with tapered ends, ornamental beams, etc. The attic area can be unfinished. This specific style is the opposite of the ornate Victorian homes. A craftsman home stands out for straight lines and simple aesthetics.
Cottage homes
If you want to bask in the charm of Medieval English rural feel, cottages with thatched roofs can give you a sense of the same. This architectural design gained attention during the 1920s and 1930s in the US. Steeply pitched roofs, cross gables, casement windows, stucco/ stone/ brick sidings, and others marked them. These homes look every bit warm and attractive. You can design your modern house based on this theme with a few accessible details. For instance, add colorful plants close to the entry door. Bay windows and shutters can elevate the look even more. Make the chimney a hallmark of the house.
Mediterranean homes
It can be the most familiar American home style. It led to the revival of Spanish colonial designs in Southern California from the 1920s to 1930s. The main characteristics are red tile roofs with low pitch, grills, stucco exteriors, and U-shape flooring around the courtyard. Rooms usually extend to the yard for better indoor air circulation. You can tap into the essence of this architecture by opting for a luxurious and laid-back vibe.
Ranch-type homes
These design traditions have been in vogue since 1932. Functional living spaces, simple flooring concepts, and en-suite garages can distinguish these homes. External parts of the homes can look plain and similar, but one can get creative with them. You can add two to three stories to the house effortlessly because of the easy design planning. People like to revive this design element in their homes through textures and materials. For instance, stained beams and natural colors can tap into their magical touch.
The rich home designs can bewilder and surprise you at the same time. Each style is advantageous and attractive. Hence, it becomes challenging to decide what to choose or avoid. If you cannot pick one from the different options, talk to your architect for some ideas. They can suggest something after assessing your preferences and budget. Their insights can be valuable because experienced contractors work on many projects and deliver on their clients’ expectations successfully.
