Classic Home Styles

When you’re shopping for a house, it’s likely that you’re going to have some quick (re-) education on the home styles that have been popular since they first came to exist. Here are the classic home styles, where you can learn a bit about their history and important elements.

Home Style	Origin & History	Key Features
Cape Cod	Originated in the 17th century, inspired by British cottages, adapted for harsh New England winters.	Steep roofs, central chimney, symmetrical façade, dormer windows, cedar shingles.
Traditional	Evolved from early American and European vernacular designs; less ornate than Country style.	Balanced façade, gables, shutters, Colonial-inspired trim, wrap-around porches.
Southern	Designed for the hot, humid climates of the South; emphasizes ventilation and shade.	Raised floors, verandas, large shutters, wide overhangs, screened porches.
Ranch	Developed from Western “rancho” designs in the 20th century; emphasizes one-story living.	Low roofs, open floor plans, sliding doors, easy patio access, split levels.
Pueblo Revival	Popular in the early 1900s; modeled after Pueblo Indian dwellings in the Southwest.	Flat/sloped roofs, adobe or stucco walls, wood beams (vigas), rounded corners.
Modern	Mid-20th century design; emphasizes practicality and geometric form.	Flat or low-pitched roofs, open spaces, minimal decoration, large windows.
Contemporary	Late 20th century to today; focused on sustainability and smart design.	Eco-friendly materials, solar panels, smart home integration, mixed materials.
Mediterranean	Inspired by homes in southern Europe; became popular in the U.S. in the 20th century.	Red tile roofs, arches, stucco walls, balconies, warm earth tones.
Log Home	Originated from frontier cabins; evolved into luxurious wood-crafted homes.	Exposed log construction, rustic charm, wood interiors, handcrafted joinery.
Greek Revival	Popular in the early 1800s; inspired by Greek temples as symbols of democracy.	Columns, pediments, white façades, symmetrical layout, wide cornices.
Georgian Colonial	18th-century style; predecessor to Federal Colonial style with strict symmetry.	Two-story box shape, five windows across top, central paneled door, simple pilasters.
French Provincial	Inspired by French countryside estates; became popular post-WWI in the U.S.	Hipped roofs, tall narrow windows, shutters, decorative detailing, stone/stucco exteriors.
Farmhouse	Rooted in rural America; emphasizes practicality and family living.	Front porches, tall windows, clapboard siding, metal roofs, large kitchens.
Craftsman	Part of the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th century.	Low-pitched roofs, exposed rafters, deep porches, built-in woodwork, natural materials.
Bungalow	Smaller variant of Craftsman homes; popularized in the 1910s–1930s.	Compact footprint, front porch, arched doorways, simple lines, cozy atmosphere.
Country	Updated take on Colonial and Farmhouse styles; widespread popularity.	Gables, dormers, shutters, wide porches, comfortable and homey feel.
Cottage	Derived from English countryside homes; evokes a cozy, whimsical aesthetic.	Curved doors, stone or wood siding, bright colors, lush porches, arched entries.

Cape Cod–Style Homes

Cape Cod-style houses first existed in America during the 17th century, having been inspired by the British thatched houses. The difference is that the Cape Cod houses have steeper roofs and bigger chimneys to accommodate colder winters in the Northeast. They are also usually characterized by windows that flank the door, dormer windows on the upper part of the house and cedar roof shingles.

• Origin: Brought to America in the 17th century, inspired by British thatched cottages

• Climate Adaptation: Steeply pitched roofs and large central chimneys for harsh Northeast winters

• Signature Elements:

  • Symmetrical façade with front door flanked by multi-pane windows

  • Dormer windows on the upper half-story

  • Cedar shingle siding and roofing

Traditional–Style Homes

Traditional-style homes share many similarities with Country style houses, except that the latter pay more consideration to finer historical details in the design.

• Heritage: Evolved from early American and European vernacular designs

• Relationship to Country Style: Shares basic proportions and simplicity, but with fewer historic flourishes

• Key Characteristics:

  • Balanced, well-proportioned façades

  • Gables, shutters, and wrap-around porches

  • Often incorporates Colonial-inspired trim

Southern–Style Homes

These houses are built to adjust to the hotter climate in the southern regions of the US. Raised main living levels, enclosed porches, large functional blinds, expansive roof overhangs, and verandas are typical features of the Southern-style homes.

• Region: Designed for the hot, humid climates of the American South

• Climate-Driven Features:

  • Raised main living levels to catch breezes

  • Wide roof overhangs and verandas for shade

  • Enclosed or screened porches for outdoor living

  • Operable shutters or large functional blinds

Ranch–Style Homes

Originally modeled after the Western abodes, Ranch style houses are built primarily for practicality — open, expansive, flowing floor plan, and accessibility to the outdoors. Split-level flooring can also be seen inside a Ranch style home, while the exterior details may differ according to the owner’s personal preference.  Check out the the historic classic California ranch house Aduston Hall.

• Lineage: Based on Western American “rancho” homesteads

• Design Focus: Casual, single-level living that blurs indoor/outdoor boundaries

• Typical Traits:

  • Open, flowing floor plans

  • Low-slung rooflines and wide eaves

  • Split-level variants with short stair runs

  • Easy access to patios and yards

Pueblo Revival–Style Homes

Pueblo revival-styled homes first came out during the early 1900s and became quite popular especially in the Southwest. This style is inspired by the simple homes of the Pueblo Indians. Flat or sloping roofs, wood beams, earthy materials (such as adobe or stucco), and big wood beams are typical elements of a Pueblo Revival home.

• Golden Age: Rose to popularity in the early 1900s Southwest

• Cultural Roots: Modeled after Indigenous Pueblo Indian dwellings

• Defining Details:

  • Flat or gently sloping “soft” rooflines

  • Thick adobe or stucco walls in earthy tones

  • Exposed wooden vigas (roof beams)

  • Deep-set windows and rounded corners

 

Modern–Style Homes and Contemporary Homes

A lot of people tend to think that Modern and Conventional styles are the same. While there are similarities at least based on appearance, Modern-style houses otherwise originated specifically during the 1950s and 1960s. Contemporary homes, on the other hand, refers to the building styles of the late 20th century to the present. Modern homes tend to have clean, geometric lines, and architecture stresses more on practical rather than aesthetic purposes. Contemporary homes are like modern homes too in a way, except the former emphasizes the use of sustainable and eco-friendly building materials, energy efficiency and abundant natural light.

Modern–Style Homes

• Era: Emerged in the 1950s–60s

• Philosophy: “Form follows function”—minimal ornamentation, geometric clarity

• Hallmarks:

  • Clean lines and open interiors

  • Large glass expanses and flat or low-pitch roofs

  • Emphasis on practicality over decoration

• Timeframe: Late 20th century to today

• Sustainability Focus: Eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, abundant daylight

• Key Features:

  • Mixed materials (metal, glass, composites)

  • Green roofs, solar integration, smart-home tech

  • Fluid indoor-outdoor transitions

Mediterranean–Style Homes

The Mediterranean style evokes the hacienda homes in the southern parts of Italy, Spain, and France. Mediterranean style homes typically have patios or courtyards, verandas, balconies, red tile roofs, warm earth colors, plaster surfaces, and arches. This is one of the most popular housing styles here in the country.

Log Homes

As you might have expected, log style homes are built virtually of wood and are structurally similar to a log cabin, only bigger, more spacious and luxurious. Typical wood species that are used in log houses include white pine, red pine, cypress, Eastern white cedar, spruce, fir, and many others, and these types of wood may be chosen depending on an area’s surrounding climate.

• Construction: Built almost entirely of interlocking logs—luxurious expansion of pioneer cabins

• Materials: White pine, red pine, cedar, spruce, fir, or cypress sourced locally

• Characteristics:

  • Exposed wood interiors and exteriors

  • Chunky log corners and handcrafted joinery

Historic log homes:

• DeWitt Log Homestead – Built in 1805 by Zachariah Price DeWitt, this two-story log cabin is the oldest surviving structure in Oxford Township, Ohio, and today operates as a museum maintained by Miami University and the Oxford Museum Association.

• Kemper Log House – Erected circa 1804 and later expanded with plastered walls, a staircase, and wood trim, the Kemper Log House is interpreted as a “house” rather than a cabin. A replica stone kitchen on-site recalls the original family layout and period lifestyle.

• Mercer Log House – Dating to about 1799 in Fairborn, Ohio, this remarkably intact log cabin—set on a stone foundation—reflects turn-of-the-century vernacular design with its square proportions, large fireplace opening, and virtually unchanged log walls.

• William Rainey Harper Log House – Also known as the Harper Cabin (built 1834), this Federal-style two-story log home in New Concord, Ohio, is the birthplace of educator William Rainey Harper. Restored and operated as a museum, it retains its original form and is open for guided tours.

• Austintown Log House – Constructed in 1814 near Youngstown, Ohio, this two-story log cabin was rediscovered under modern siding in 1973. Restored by the Austintown Historical Society, it now houses period furnishings, exhibits on local settlers, and is open for free monthly tours.

Greek Revival Homes

Obviously, this style is inspired by the ancient Greek temples. And democracy too — just as the British influence waned for good during the early 19th century, the United States adopted this architectural style as their expression of their triumph, newfound freedom and an emerging sense of national identity.

Greek Revival, at one point, became America’s national architectural style that its templed facades were omnipresent not only in homes but also in public and private establishments such as banks, hospitals, churches, and town halls. The style became popular again during the 1940s.

Massive cornices, tall columns, gables with pediments, and spartan friezes are typical of Greek Revival homes. They are also usually painted white, large and imposing.  Check out Reverie for a classic example of a Greek revival home.

• Historic Peak: Early 19th century (revived in 1940s), America’s “national style”

• Classical References: Evokes ancient Greek temples as symbols of democracy

• Signature Elements:

  • Prominent columns (Doric or Ionic) supporting a pedimented gable

  • Wide cornices and simple, bold friezes

  • Crisp white façades and symmetrical proportions

Georgian Colonial Homes

Georgian Colonial is probably the most common type of an architectural style in the country as well as predated the Federal Colonial style. Georgian Colonial has also simpler elements compared to Federal Colonial. The look of the Georgian Colonial is basically and strictly symmetrical — typically box-shaped, with five windows on the upper part and a paneled front door flanked by two windows on the lower part. The door is sometimes framed by simple, and often angular and flat, columns.

• Era: 18th century, precursor to the Federal Colonial style

• Design Tenets: Strict symmetry and formality

• Defining Traits:

  • Box-shaped two-story form

  • Five-window arrangement on the second floor

  • Centered paneled door flanked by flat, angular pilasters or columns

French Provincial Homes

Inspired by the summer houses and country estates in France, the French Provincial is known for its decorative flair and evokes a romantic ambiance. This style first became popular in the States after the First World War, and today newer buildings are incorporated with this style.

• Origin: Modeled after rural manor houses in the French countryside

• Period of Popularity: Post–World War I America

• Notable Features:

  • Steeply pitched hipped roofs

  • Tall, narrow windows often with shutters

  • Stone, brick, or stucco exteriors with decorative detailing

Farmhouse Style Homes

The term “farmhouse” doesn’t indicate the architectural style, but rather it refers more to the location and purpose. Originally these houses were built on rural areas, especially surrounding the farmyards. Farmhouses copy several of the 19th-century architectural styles which include tall, narrow windows, big porches, and wood siding. Some houses of this style may have metallic roofs.

• Definition: A functional dwelling on agricultural land (rather than a strict style)

• Common Features:

  • Tall, narrow windows for ventilation

  • Wide front porches for outdoor work/lounging

  • Wood siding (clapboard or board-and-batten)

  • Occasional metal roofing for durability

Craftsman and Bungalow Style Homes

Craftsman homes, as well as bungalows, are reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement during the early 20th century. The style puts heavy emphasis on natural materials like wood, brick, and stone. Craftsman homes typically have low roofs and wide front porches.  Check out the Lane-Hooven House for a historic craftsman style house.

• Movement: Arts & Crafts of the early 20th century

• Material Emphasis: Natural wood, brick, and stone

• Key Characteristics:

  • Low-sloping gabled roofs with wide eaves

  • Deep front porches supported by tapered columns

  • Built-in cabinetry, exposed rafters, and handcrafted details

Bungalows

• Relationship to Craftsman: Often simpler, smaller one- or one-and-a-half-story variants

• Hallmarks:

  • Compact footprint with efficient layouts

  • Curved or recessed doorways

  • Cozy front porches and colorful siding

Country Style Homes

The traditional country style homes are one of the most popular home designs in the US. They are an update of the Colonial style houses. This style has a combination of many traditional architectural elements and the facades generally are well-proportioned. Country home generally has gables, porches, shutters, and dormer windows.

• Evolution: Modern reinterpretation of Colonial and farmhouse vernaculars

• Defining Elements:

  • Mix of gables, dormers, and shutters

  • Inviting porches and balanced façades

  • Use of local materials for a homey feel

Cottage Style Homes

The oft-whimsical Cottage style home is usually a small abode which is made of either wood or stone siding. It typically features a curved door (or a doorway or entryway), a lush front porch, and exteriors that are often colorful. Usually, cottage style houses are bungalows, but some have second floors that serve as attics.  Check out Oak Hill Cottage for a classic example.

• Character: Quaint, storybook charm in a compact package

• Signature Traits:

  • Wood or stone siding in cheerful hues

  • Curved doors or arched entryways

  • Lush, intimate front porches and whimsical details