A Home Buyer’s Guide to the Most Popular House Styles

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different house styles around the world. Without a wide range of styles, the world would become very monotonous. We visit new states, regions, and countries in large part due to the variety of architecture and building styles.

The vacation rental industry is exploding as millions of people are drawn to stay at beautiful homes, all with different house styles. And custom home builders have an ever-flowing stream of work.

If you are considering a new home, whether buying or building, it can be hard to choose between different styles of houses. If you have a particular neighborhood in mind, the style may be chosen for you.

Either way, here are the most popular house styles available today. If you are wondering how to choose a house style, keep reading for the inspiration you need.

1. Cape Cod

When talking about different types of houses, the list almost always begins with Cape Cod. These cute, charming homes were first built in America in the 1600s, inspired by the cottages of Brittain. The name is inspired by the Massachusetts coast where these homes were first built.

The steep roofs and tall chimneys can withstand long winters. They were also the first house style to be used in affordable housing communities in the 1990s. 

2. Colonial 

Colonial style homes were also introduced in the 1600s. They are known for symmetry; a centralized front door and evenly spaced windows surrounding it. You can expect these clean, formal homes to have dormers and columns as well. 

3. Craftsmen

Craftsmen and bungalow-style homes are often much smaller, but much more unique than other home designs. They usually feature large front porches, open floor plans, and exposed wood beams. No wonder millennials are flocking to Craftsmen style homes. 

4. Ranch

Ranch style homes can either be single level homes or split level homes. They were first introduced in the early 1900s in the Southwest, inspired by Spanish styles. 

They have long, open floor plans. There is also an emphasis on the outdoors, with lots of large windows and easy access and connection to outdoor spaces. 

5. Meditteranean

This bold, beautiful homestyle is popular in the Southern US. With red tile roofs, lots of arches, balconies, and ornate details, these homes are perfect for warm, sunny regions. 

This style comes from the Mediterranean region of Europe and was popularized in the early 1900s. They also make for great multi-unit properties.

In the southern US, for example, Meditteranean style homes are very popular as dual occupancy homes. The design makes it easy for builders to construct multiple units under one roof, making this home-style popular in many vacation destination areas.

Too Many House Styles to Count

The list could go on and on. For our purposes, however, we simply wanted to show some of the most popular, sought after house styles today.

In different parts of the world, with different climates and cultural values, the trending styles will always vary. And that’s a good thing. It keeps our neighborhoods and cities interesting.

If you need additional inspiration for finding the right home, make sure to check out other articles on our blog today.