American home styles borrow influences from all over the world and eras throughout history
Knowing a bit about your home's architectural style can come in handy in several situations. Perhaps you're about to put it on the market and need to know all the terminology about Tudors, Victorians, and craftsman-style homes. Or maybe, you're just wondering, "what type of home do I have?" so you can quiz your friends at dinner parties. Learn 11 types of homes and how you can tell which one yours is.
The Four Main Categories of Homes
To get started, understanding which category your home falls into can also assist a bank to determine your mortgage rate.
No matter your home's style, you likely own a:
Single-family home
Condo or townhouse
Manufactured home
Co-op
Each category ranges in its level of ownership. Either you own the entire property—such as in a single-family or manufactured home—or you share ownership with a board, such as with a condo, co-op, or townhouse.
The 11 Most Common Home Styles in the U.S
From early British settlers to Frank Lloyd Wright, you'll find countless architectural influences all around the country. Each style has a strong say in a home's value, insurance rate, and curb appeal. It can also advise you on when and when not to make renovations.
Too many modern upgrades to traditional styles can inadvertently devalue your home—yet another reason to understand the historical background of your house.
Without further ado, the most popular types of homes include:
Colonials
Cape Cod
Greek revival
Victorian
Italianate
Craftsman
Tudor
Mid-century modern
Ranch
Split-level
Contemporary
Let's move through the centuries, from the Mayflower to modern day, and take a look at all the things that make these types of homes catch your eye walking down the block.
1. Colonials
By far the most common home type of architecture style in the U.S., colonial 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.
These types of homes will often include the following characteristics:
Range from the early 18th–20th centuries
Are typically symmetrical
Include between 2–3 floors
Have one or paired symmetrical chimneys
Offer a traditional floor plan (bedrooms upstairs, staircase between the living and dining rooms)
Colonial revivals brought this design back in the late 19th century. Most of the colonial homes you find today outside of the northeast popped up during this time.
2. 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 originally for their sturdiness and ability to hold in heat long before the convenience of central HVAC systems.
You'll know a Cape Cod by its:
Steeply sloped roof
Single or 1 ½ stories
Pair of dormer windows on the front (in modern revivals)
Decorative shutters
Symmetry
Wood siding
Most of these cuties are found in the northeast, but they made a comeback in the mid-20th century with a bit more natural light.
3. Greek Revival
There's no lack of drama in a Greek Revival home. The style emerged between the late-18th and early-19th centuries and influenced what we know as the federal home style.
You’ll know you have a Greek revival home by its...
Brick or white facade
Several massive columns
Central entranceway
Tall windows
Often a balcony or two
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.
4. Victorian
There's nothing quite as romantic as a Victorian home, and you're unlikely to find one exactly the same as the next.
Popular in the 1830s and into the later 19th century, the houses are known for having:
2–3 stories
Sharply pitched roofs
Ornate exteriors
Wraparound porches
Rounded or rectangular towers
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.
5. Italianate
Moving into the mid to late 19th centuries, Italy's architecture styles started to make a splash in the U.S.. While you'll spot elements of Victorian homes, the structure is much more symmetrical.
They often:
Include brick or wooden siding
Have two stories with or without a cupola
Flat or low-pitched roof
Covered porch
Rounded windows
Decorative corbels
Fun fact: Many of today's traditional brownstone townhouses in the northeast include Italianate architecture as well.
6. 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.
Signature craftsman houses have:
Long, horizontal design
Low-pitched roofs
Symmetrical gables
Top dormer window
Exposed beams
Some homeowners encounter structural issues with craftsman homes built from 1900 to 1930. Poorly poured basements or slab foundations can lead to extra upkeep down the line.
7. Tudor
Tudor homes may look like something out of the 16th century, but they appeared in America in the early-20th 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
2–3 stories
Asymmetrical design
Exposed beams
Arched doorway made of brick
Stone chimneys
8. Mid-Century Modern
Moving in the mod period of architecture, you'll encounter homes built between the 1940 and 1970s. Like contemporary homes, you'll find a massive range of unique takes on style in this category, making every home slightly different than the next.
You may encounter:
Floor-to-ceiling windows
Danish, Dutch, and Nordic elements
A coordination with the outdoor space
Changes in elevation between rooms
Wide, single-floor layouts
While these homes gained popularity on the west coast, the style influenced many new suburban developments across the country during this time of growth.
9. 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 homes have:
One story
Low-pitched roofs
Open floor plans
Sliding doors into the backyard
Large outdoor living space
Attached garage
10. Split Level
Split-level homes are a bit like grown-up ranches. They appeared in the 1960s and followed a lot of the same principles. The major difference is that split levels do have a second floor, but there is a small flight of steps to get there.
They often include:
Small front porches
Decks off the back into the yard
Low-pitch roof
Open floor plan with large living space
Minimalist interior and exterior design
11. Contemporary
Much like mid-century, the contemporary style is always 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 layout
Ample windows and natural light
Simplistic facades
Single or multiple stories
Open floor plans
Highly landscaped outdoor space
Selling these unique homes can be a bit tricky due to their signature looks, so make sure you have the right type of real estate agent that understands the challenge.
Understanding Your Home’s History
There are plenty of home styles that didn't quite make the list—like art deco, farmhouses, and Mediterraneans. American home architecture varies from town to town and state to state, mapping out the region's history and the long list of home builders that left their mark there.
Once you know the type of home you have, you can gain a better understanding of its history and your architectural style.
