Explore home styles and housing types through history. In this house style guide, you'll find links to facts, photos, diagrams, and building plans for the most popular home styles in North America and other parts of the world.
American Colonial House Styles
Colonial homes in New England often had chimneys in the center. Photo @ Jackie Craven
1600s - 1800
When North America was colonized, settlers brought building traditions from many different countries. Architecture from America's colonial period continues to influence the houses we build today.
New England Colonial House Style Colonial Cape Cod House Style Spanish Colonial House Style German Colonial House Style Dutch Colonial House Style Georgian Colonial House Style French Colonial House Style
When North America was colonized, settlers brought building traditions from many different countries. Architecture from America's colonial period continues to influence the houses we build today.
Classical House Styles
Democratic ideals are expressed in classical details of Greek Revival homes. Photo © Jackie Craven
1780 - 1860
During the founding of the United States, many people felt that ancient Greece expressed the ideals of democracy. Architecture reflected classical ideals of order and symmetry.
Federal and Adam House Style Greek Revival House Style Tidewater House Style Antebellum Architecture
During the founding of the United States, many people felt that ancient Greece expressed the ideals of democracy. Architecture reflected classical ideals of order and symmetry.
Victorian House Styles
Queen Anne was the reigning style of the Victorian era. Photo © Jackie Craven
1840 - 1900
Mass-production and factory-made building parts made large, elaborate houses more affordable. A variety of Victorian styles emerged, each with its own distinctive features.
Gothic Revival House Style Italianate House Style Second Empire or Mansard House Style Victorian Stick House Style Folk Victorian House Style Shingle House Style Richardson Romanesque House Style Queen Anne House Style Eastlake House Style
Mass-production and factory-made building parts made large, elaborate houses more affordable. A variety of Victorian styles emerged, each with its own distinctive features.
Gilded Age House Styles
The Vanderbilt Marble House in Newport, RI was a Beaux Arts mansion. Photo © Flikr member Daderot
1880-1929
The rise of Industrialism brought the period we know as the Gilded Age. Business leaders amassed enormous wealth and built palatial, elaborate homes.
Beaux Arts Style Renaissance Revival House Style Richardson Romanesque House Style Queen Anne House Style Tudor Revival House Style Neo-Classical House Style
The rise of Industrialism brought the period we know as the Gilded Age. Business leaders amassed enormous wealth and built palatial, elaborate homes.
Frank Lloyd Wright House Styles
Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style houses were low and compact. Photo © Steve Estes
1901-1955
Frank Lloyd Wright revolutionized the American home when he began to design houses with low horizontal lines and open interior spaces.Prairie Style Usonian Style Hemicycle Design Organic Design
Frank Lloyd Wright revolutionized the American home when he began to design houses with low horizontal lines and open interior spaces.
Early 20th Century House Styles
Affordable bungalows swept across America in the early 1900s. Photo © Diana Lundin / iStockPhoto
1905-1945
In the early 1900s, builders sloffed off the elaborate Victorian styles. Homes for the new century were compact, economical, and informal.Arts & Crafts (Craftsman) Bungalow Styles Cotswold Cottage Spanish Mission House Style American Foursquare House Style Colonial Revival House Style
In the early 1900s, builders sloffed off the elaborate Victorian styles. Homes for the new century were compact, economical, and informal.
Post-War House Styles
Raised Ranch houses can be found in nearly every part of the United States. Photo © Jackie Craven
1945-1980
Soldiers returning from World War II brought an enormous need for housing. Real estate developers purchased large tracts of land and constructed homes with an eye on simplicity and affordability.Ranch Style Raised Ranch Style Split-Level Ranch Style Cape Cod Revival House Style Lustron Houses Eichler Houses
Soldiers returning from World War II brought an enormous need for housing. Real estate developers purchased large tracts of land and constructed homes with an eye on simplicity and affordability.
Modern House Styles
Postmodern home by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Robert Venturi. Pritzker Prize image.
1930-present
Modernist houses broke away from conventional forms, while postmodernist houses combined traditional forms in unexpected ways.Art Moderne House Style Bauhaus Style International Style Contemporary House Style A-Frame Style Postmodern House Style
Modernist houses broke away from conventional forms, while postmodernist houses combined traditional forms in unexpected ways.
"Neo" House Styles
Colonial windows combine with a Queen Anne turret in this Neoeclectic home. Photo © Jackie Craven
1965-present
Neo means new. Many new homes borrow details from historic styles and combine them with modern features.Neoeclectic House Style Neocolonial House Style Neo-Mediterranean House Style Neo-Victorian House Style McMansion
Neo means new. Many new homes borrow details from historic styles and combine them with modern features.
Spanish and Mediterranean House Styles
This early 20th century home is modeled after an old Spanish Mission. Photo: Jupiter Images
1600s - present
Spanish settlers in Florida and the American Southwest brought a rich heritage of architectural traditions and combined them with ideas borrowed from Hopi and Pueblo Indians. Modern day "Spanish" style homes tend to be Mediterranean in flavor, incorporating details Italy, Portugal, Africa, Greece, and other countries.
Spanish Colonial House Style Spanish Colonial Revival (Spanish Eclectic) House Style Pueblo Revival House Style Mission House Style Neo-Mediterranean House Style
Spanish settlers in Florida and the American Southwest brought a rich heritage of architectural traditions and combined them with ideas borrowed from Hopi and Pueblo Indians. Modern day "Spanish" style homes tend to be Mediterranean in flavor, incorporating details Italy, Portugal, Africa, Greece, and other countries.
