10 Different Types of Home Exterior Styles For New Buyers

People have to make sure that their homes suit their tastes. Furthermore, people have to make sure that their homes suit their surroundings, with a prime example being how steep-angled roofs dominate colder climates because of the danger of accumulated precipitation. As a result, it should come as no surprise to learn that U.S. homes come in an wide range of home exterior styles, which are often mixed and matched in the same homes.

Here are ten different types of exterior styles you can choose from

Colonial Homes

Colonial homes started out the same as their sources of inspiration in Europe, but the passage of time has produced some interesting changes. Under normal circumstances, such homes can be recognized using the steep-angled roofs sitting on top of either two or three stories, which come with huge chimneys as well as one or more dormers. Furthermore, they often have a pair of multi-paned windows flanking their front doors, thus creating a stately look.

Cape Cod Homes

Like their name suggests, Cape Cod homes started out when Europeans began settling in Cape Cod and the rest of New England, though they have seen revivals in their popularity since that time. They are made using simple materials such as brick, stone, and wood. Furthermore, they resemble Colonial homes in that they have centered doors, multi-paned windows, steep-angled roofs, and one or more dormers, though their chimneys tend to be located at one end of the home rather than somewhere close to the center. Some examples even come in nautical colors.

Contemporary

Contemporary homes are not a single home exterior style so much as a collection of them. In main, they can be recognized by their unorthodox appearance, whether that means strange colors and strange shapes or even a deliberate choice to avoid unnecessary details on their surfaces. However, these modern homes can exhibit some similarities based on broad trends, with one example being large windows with large panes of glass that let in plenty of natural light.

Craftsman homes

Craftsman homes come from the Arts and Crafts Movement, which stressed the use of simple but well-made products by local craftspeople. As a result, expect natural materials as well as a simple appearance, which make for a warm and welcoming feeling that can be more comfortable than more formal surroundings. Many of them use open floor plans, so much so that they actually combine their kitchens with their dining rooms and living rooms in order to encourage family closeness.

Ranch Style homes

Situated in areas where space was plentiful, Ranch style homes tend to stand low to the ground, thus resulting in a sprawled-out look. Some retain the usual rectangular shape, but it is not unknown for Ranch style homes to come in either a L or an U. Finally, they tend to use designs as well as materials that encourage a sense of continuity with their outdoor spaces, while many of their surfaces can seem spare and simple to those who are used to more lavishly decorated homes.

Spanish Colonial homes

Spanish Colonial homes are common in the Southwest, so much so that they are sometimes called Southwest homes. Given their name, it should come as no surprise to learn that they draw inspiration from architecture in Spain’s vast colonial empire, which can seen in their earth tones, small windows, stuccoed walls, and big, wooden doors. These characteristics make it simple to recognize Spanish Colonial homes, particularly since they also come with flatter roofs that are well-suited for the warmer climates of their home region.

International style

The International style is extremely striking, meaning that homes built in the style are often recognizable with no more than a single glance. For example, they tend to make more common use of glass than homes built using the other styles mentioned here, so much so that some of them are actually made out of glass blocks. Similarly, they like a combination of neutral colors and simple shapes, which provides them with broad appeal while also looking distinctively modern. Finally, they use a lot of modern materials in their construction, which can be seen in their concrete structure as well as the steel railings that see use on their decks and porches.

Cottage homes

In spite of its common use to describe small, cozy homes, Cottage is also a home exterior style. They tend to be graced by both flowers and climbing plants, while the widespread use of meandering paths contribute to their sense of peaceful isolation. Many of them come with tall roofs and multi-paned windows, which serve to distinguish them from other homes situated in green surroundings. Furthermore, modern cottages often use simple materials as well as simple looks to make them that much more livable, thus playing up their inherently coziness in order to create even more restful and relaxing environments than otherwise possible.

Federalist homes

Federalist homes have been out of fashion for centuries, but Federalist elements can still be seen in modern homes, particularly when homeowners are interested in making them seem as luxurious as possible. Most Federalist homes have a large but well-appointed look, which is helped by the porticoes that shelter their centered front doors as well as their Palladian windows. For people who are close enough to see it, Federalist homes can also be distinguished by the use of dentil moulding, which is when small blocks are repeated on moulding in order to create a decorative pattern that bears more than a little resemblance to teeth. Unsurprisingly, many of these features are still in use today because they are so strongly associated with tasteful indulgence.

Further Considerations

These make up no more than a small percentage of the home exterior styles that can be found in the United States. As a result, if you don’t like any of them, you should not hesitate to search for more options because you are sure to be able to find something suited to your needs and preferences so long as you are willing to put in the time and effort.