What House Style Do I Have? 27 Architectural Styles to Know

A home's architectural style can say a lot about its history. You'll find countless architectural influences around the United States, from 17th-century log cabins to modern Art Deco homes. House styles are often named after their place of origin or intent of use, making distinct designs stand out from the street. 

Curious to know your home’s architectural influence? Learning about your home style can be helpful, especially when planning renovations or highlighting unique features to prospective buyers. Here are the 27 most popular house styles in the U.S. and how to identify them.

1. Log Cabin

Log cabins originated in the 1600s, and they were often found in rural settings, such as within the mountains or woods. Similarly to cottages, log homes are known as rustic, cozy escapes from a busy world.

Most log cabin homes have:

• Log exteriors

• One main bedroom and an open floor plan

• Rustic aesthetic

2. Saltbox

Simplistic yet charming, the saltbox house style arose in America during the 17th and early 18th centuries. The name derives from wooden salt containers with slanted lids that were popular during that time, inspiring the overall design of this house style. Most saltbox homes today are found in the coastal Northeastern areas.

You can identify a saltbox home by its signature features:

• Timber framing

• Sloped roofs (often on one side)

• Two stories in the front, one in the rear

• Flat front, simplistic colonial look

• Symmetrical brick chimney

3. Neoclassical Architecture

The neoclassical home style was popular among government buildings and many universities during the 18th century. Like Greek Revival styles, neoclassical homes also exude wealth and extravagant living. The neoclassical style also seeps into interior design, where you’ll commonly find crown molding, chandeliers, and marble floors inside homes.

A home with neoclassical influence most likely features:

• Symmetrical architecture

• Tall columns 

• Ornate doorways

• Gold and marble finishes

4. Cottage

A cottage home style may come to mind when describing a house in a fairy tale—cozy, charming, and hidden in the woods. Typical cottages have one story and an old-fashioned feel, but many modern versions may have two stories with interior upgrades. Many cottage homes are located in a rural or semi-rural area, including near mountains or a lake.

You can recognize a cottage home by its signature features:

• Wooden exterior and stone accents

• Gabled or thatched roof 

• Open floor plan

• Central fireplace

5. Greek Revival Architecture

There's no lack of drama in a Greek Revival home. This home style emerged between the late 18th and early 19th centuries and influenced what we know as the federal house style. While eye-catching, the style is simple compared to others and often symmetrical. This symmetry easily translated to the neoclassical federal style seen in the White House.

You’ll know you have a Greek Revival home by its noteworthy features:

• Brick or white facade

• Several massive columns

• Central entranceway

• Tall windows

• One or two balconies

6. Farmhouse

Farmhouses emerged across Southern states in rural and agricultural areas during the 1700s and 1800s. This house style is built for functionality rather than extravagance, combining long-lasting, natural materials with simplistic designs.

Farmhouse-style homes will have:

• Organic materials like wood, stone, and metal

• Rustic railings and details

• Informal yet inviting exterior

• Tall ceilings and exposed ceiling beams

• Functional front porch 

7. Colonial

By far the most common home architecture style in the U.S., Colonial-style homes cover the designs brought over by early waves of settlers. You'll find colonials from the British, Spanish, French, and Dutch from shore to shore. Colonial revivals brought this design back in the late 19th century. Most colonial homes you find today outside of the Northeast popped up during this time.

These types of homes will often include the following characteristics:

• Symmetrical exterior

• Two or three floors

• One or paired symmetrical chimneys

• A traditional floor plan (bedrooms upstairs, staircase between the living and dining rooms)

8. Chalet

Originating in the mountains of Europe, chalet-style homes are now popular mountain and lakeside retreats in the U.S. These cozy and inviting homes were designed for heavy snowfall areas, making them popular in areas known for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. 

They often include these key elements:

• A-frame structures

• Timber framing and natural materials

• Multiple balconies

• Overhanging eaves

• Large windows 

• Open-concept layout with a central fireplace

9. Victorian Architecture

There's nothing quite as romantic as a Victorian home, and you're unlikely to find one the same as the next. Queen Anne homes also fall into this category and include the most ruffles and frills, often with multiple dormers, dramatic eaves, and asymmetrical floor plans.

Popular in the 1830s and into the later 19th century, Victorian houses are known for featuring:

• Two or three stories

• Sharply pitched roofs

• Ornate exteriors

• Wraparound porches

• Rounded or rectangular towers

10. Italianate Architecture

Italy's architectural styles started to make a splash in the U.S. during the mid-to-late 19th century. While you'll spot elements of Victorian homes, the structure is much more symmetrical. Fun fact: Many of today's traditional brownstone townhouses in the Northeast include Italianate architecture.

They often have:

• Brick or wooden siding

• Two stories with or without a dome

• A flat or low-pitched roof

• A covered porch

• Rounded windows

• Decorative corbels

11. Prairie

Functionality over flash summarizes this popular house style. American architect Frank Lloyd Wright created the Prairie House, and he was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. You’ll find prairie house styles throughout the Midwestern states, especially areas with extensive and flat grasslands.

When searching for a prairie home, expect to see these elements:

• Long, flat roofs 

• Rows of windows

• Woodwork and handcrafted details

• Horizontal lines and patterns

• Open floor plans

• Built-in furniture

12. Town House

Originating in Belgium and the Netherlands, row houses or “townhouses" came to the U.S. in the early 19th century during the Industrial Revolution. This house style is known for its creative use of vertical space, and it’s popular in major metropolitan areas like Seattle and New York City. 

Townhouses will most likely feature:

• Tall, slender structures

• Two or more stories

• Adjoined to another house by a wall

• Identical to or coordinated with other homes in its row

13. Cape Cod

While technically a member of the colonial family, Cape Cods have their own signature look that sets them apart. Settlers built these homes for their sturdiness and ability to hold in heat long before the convenience of central HVAC systems. Most Cape Cods are in the Northeast, but they came back in the mid-20th century with more natural light.

You'll know a Cape Cod home by its signature look:

• Steep, sloped roof

• One or one-and-a-half stories

• Pair of dormer windows on the front (in modern revivals)

• Decorative shutters

• Symmetry

• Wood siding

14. Craftsman

These sturdy yet uniquely designed home types are often the envy of the home market. Their symmetry makes them aesthetically pleasing, but they have enough unique accents to set themselves apart from the rest of the homes on the block.

Some homeowners encounter structural issues with Craftsman-style homes built from 1900 to 1930. Poorly poured basements or slab foundations can lead to extra upkeep.

Signature Craftsman houses have:

• Long, horizontal design

• Low-pitched roofs

• Symmetrical gables

• Top dormer windows

• Exposed beams

15. Tudor

Tudor homes may look like something from the 16th century, but they appeared in America in the early 20th century to pay homage to the English style. The color of Tudor homes makes them stand out, with white or cream exterior walls lined with dark brown or black trim.

They also have:

• Multiple roof peaks and dormers

• Two or three stories

• Asymmetrical design

• Exposed beams

• Arched doorways made of brick

• Stone chimneys

16. Mid-Century Modern

Moving into the modern architectural period, you'll encounter homes built between the 1940s and 1970s. Like contemporary homes, you'll find a wide range of unique takes on style in this category, making every home slightly different than the next. While these homes gained popularity on the West Coast, the style influenced many new suburban developments across the country during this time of growth.

You may encounter these home features:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows

• Danish, Dutch, and Nordic elements

• Coordination with the outdoor space

• Changes in elevation between rooms

• Wide, single-floor layout

17. Ranch

The other style to launch in the mid-20th century was the ranch home. These are the iconic suburban home types you imagine from most images of the 1950s, but many are still popular today.

Ranch-style homes have:

• One story

• Low-pitched roofs

• Open floor plans

• Sliding doors into the backyard

• Large outdoor living spaces

• Attached garages

18. Split-Level

Split-level homes are like grown-up ranches. They appeared in the 1960s and followed many of the same design principles. The major difference is that split levels have a second floor, but there is a small flight of steps to get there.

They often include these key elements:

• Small front porches

• Decks off the back into the yard

• Low-pitch roofs

• Open floor plans with large living spaces

• Minimalist interior and exterior design

19. Contemporary

Much like mid-century homes, the contemporary style is constantly changing based on the fresh ideas of today's top architects. These are the eye-catching homes on the block that challenge—or creatively combine—the traditions on this list.

They may have:

• Clean lines

• Asymmetrical structures and layouts

• Ample windows and natural light

• Simplistic facades

• Single or multiple stories

• Open floor plans

• Highly landscaped outdoor spaces

20. French Country

French country homes emerged after World War I, blending early 20th-century French and American architecture. You’ll see these elegant house styles in states with historical French ties, such as Louisiana.

Drawing from France’s countryside architecture, landscape additions such as whimsical walkways and lush gardens can easily enhance your home’s romantic French country aesthetic.

Many French country homes feature the following:

• Natural materials

• Symmetrical exterior designs

• Quaint decor 

• Exposed wooden beams

• Highly pitched roofs

• Stone facades

21. Art Deco

In the 1920s, more notably called the Roaring ’20s, the Art Deco style captivated the U.S. with luxurious and elegant details in architecture, interior design, and personal style. Popular cities like Hollywood and Miami boast these eclectic looks in their mansions, skyscrapers, and speakeasies. 

An Art Deco home style consists of the following:

• Bold colors and motifs

• Sleek and shiny accents

• Geometric shapes 

• Sharp edges

• Metal and glass elements

22. Spanish

Inspired by Spanish temples of worship, this architectural style became increasingly popular in the U.S. during the early 20th century. Spanish architecture can be found in states with warmer climates, including Florida and California, emphasizing indoor/outdoor living.

Spanish house styles generally include these features:

• Porches and corridors with arches

• Square pillars

• Earth tones like clays and creams

• Stucco walls and decorative tiles

• Low-pitched roofs 

23. Brutalist Architecture

Brutalism came to be in the 1950s in the United Kingdom as part of the reconstruction projects in the post-war era. Brutalist architecture has a minimalist design that shows bare building materials in lieu of decorative features.

A brutalist home style consists of the following:

• Concrete

• Exposed brick and wood

• Monochromatic color scheme

• Small windows

• Rough looking surfaces

24. Federal Architecture

Federal architecture is a type of classical architecture originally built in the United States after the American Revolution. The style was most popular from 1785 to 1815.

 A federal home style consists of the following:

• Central front door

• Side-gabled roof slanting toward the front of the house

• Columns and pediments

• Symmetrical facade

• Greek and Roman-inspired carvings

25. Renaissance Architecture

Renaissance architecture is the architectural style that emerged in Europe between the 15th and 16th centuries. It originated in Italy but spanned many different regions of Europe.

A Renaissance home style consists of the following:

• High ceilings

• Open spaces

• Geometric design

• Symmetrical design

• Ornate details

26. Georgian Architecture

Named after the first four British monarchs, Georgian architecture is the style of home most prevalent in English-speaking countries throughout 1714 and 1830 and features Gothic elements.

A Georgian home style consists of the following:

• Minimalist detailing

• Clean lines

• Exposed brick

• Symmetrical design

• Gothic motifs

27. Mediterranean Architecture

As the name implies, Mediterranean architecture draws inspiration from countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including Portugal, Italy, and Spain. These house styles became trendy in the U.S. during the early to mid-1900s, especially among grand hotels in warm-weather states.

Mediterranean-style homes commonly consist of the following:

• Terracotta or red-tiled roofs

• Large windows

• Second-floor and bedroom balconies

• Big terraces around the property 

American home architecture varies from town to town and state to state, mapping out the region's history that left its mark there. Once you learn your home’s architectural style (or your favorite for a future home), you’ll have a better idea of upgrades that complement the design. 

From design enhancements to landscaping plans, you can find a local contractor to help preserve your home’s unique style and historic charm. 

If you’re looking to build new, knowing what style you’re looking for can help you find the right architect near you and give you an idea of architect costs and the cost to build the house. If you to add some custom aspects and flair to your home, hire a custom home builder near you.