We all know about the standard home types: condo, apartment, detached, semi-detached, terrace, and townhouse. But it turns out that there are many more styles out there. And each of them has a profound effect on how your property looks and feels.
In this post, we take a deep dive into the popular home styles of 2021, and why people are going so crazy over them.
Tudor
Tudor homes are rare in the US because Western civilization only arrived after the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England - the last Tudor monarch. However, some architects have tried to recreate the enigmatic style to create a sense of history and character in their properties.
Tudor homes first began appearing in the US in the late nineteenth century. They typically had multiple large chimneys, white plaster on the exterior, and treating, black beans, holding the who thing together. Some of the recreations are extremely realistic, maintaining the exact proportions of the original. When you approach these houses, you imagine that you could be somewhere in the middle of Hertfordshire or Dorset in the UK, not America.
Victorian
The Victoria home style is one of the most interesting there is. During this time, architects became obsessed with magical styles from the medieval era. They loved turrets and battlements and looked for ways to include them in functional home designs.
The result is some of the most attractive properties on the market today. Many of these have brightly colored facades, ornate roofs, and interesting gothic styling around the windows and doors. The best examples look very much like medieval castles from the outside but offer all the home conveniences you could ever want on the interiors.
Ranch
Ranch homes for sale first started appearing in the 1930s and then boomed in popularity during the 1950s. These homes usually have just one story and a low-pitched roof. They also offer large sash windows, sliding doors, and sizable backyards.
This type of property is for the person who wants to live a simple life. Most properties have a U or L shape to them. They are basic in construction and tend to feature many open-plan living spaces.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean properties are among the most charming homes currently available on the market. Architects design them to feature elements from traditional Greek, Spanish and Italian villas. They usually feature ample white stucco, lots of warm wood and stone, and terracotta roofing materials. They also tend to have plenty of patios and outdoor areas for enjoying a quiet meal in the evening or a glass of wine as the sun goes down.
French Country
The French architectural style draws cues from areas of France, particularly Provence. Homes feature high pitched roofs, beautiful slate tiles, and a semi-weathered look to make them appear a little more rustic. Some designers may also install shutters over the windows and install large stone fireplaces in all the communal living rooms.
In most properties, the palette is a little subdued. On the floor, you will find plenty of distressed wood, plus crown moldings that emulate the style from the ancien régime.
Farmhouse
Farmhouse properties usually have large front porches, exposed beams, and a decidedly rectangular layout. These properties are mainly functional, though, from our perspective today, they also have a certain rural charm about them.
Many farmhouse properties are old buildings that have gone through refurbishment. A large number of them feature exposed brick and stone, with many renovators leaving period features in their original form.
Some farmhouse-style properties have clean lines, making them appear updated. However, these are usually only skin deep. The underlying building is usually very rustic indeed.
Greek Revival
Greek revival-style homes are becoming more popular as a result of the shifting culture. People want properties that look instantly impressive from the outside and wow guests as they approach.
The typically Greek revival property features double-height stone columns on either side of the front door, supporting a large stone facade at the top which blends into the roofline. Behind that, you have what is essentially a Georgian building, with its large sash windows, boxy rooms, sizable chimneys, and reliable brickwork.
Greek revival homes attempt to recreate the look of famous buildings from the ancient world, such as the Parthenon. Owners usually choose this style for cultural reasons. Either they like Greek philosophy or they hold close to ancient ideals such as democracy and freedom.
Greek revival homes became popular in the 1830s, which is why there are so many examples dotted around the countryside today. The best examples feature a grand entrance plus a roof deck for enjoying views of the surrounding countryside and the stars.
Craftsman
Craftsman-style homes typically feature multiple hand-crafted wood features, large columns at the front, and plenty of exposed beams. While you find many of them on cookie-cutter estates, some bespoke examples will simply take your breath away.
The purpose of craftsmen homes is to expose you to the ingenuity of professional woodworking. Every piece of material on the interior of the property feels like love went into making it. Homes of this type feature beautiful handworked materials in the porch, pitched gables, and, if you’re lucky, hand-made fireplaces. You typically find these properties alone next to lakes and rivers, but you can also find them in big cities as well.
Contemporary
Switching gears, contemporary homes are the most up-to-date properties currently on the market. These usually feature integrated smart features, plus innovative designs that break the mold with the past.
Homes in this category tend to have large square windows for viewing the rest of the neighborhood, clean lines, and textures. Color palettes are neutral, and many try to use renewable or recyclable materials, as is currently the fashion.
Colonial
Colonial homes are similar to Georgian-style properties that appeared all across Britain in the eighteenth century. However, the symmetrical style of the structure actually dates back all the way to the 1600s and is designed to make the owner appear prestigious and valuable.
Colonial homes, however, don’t look identical to traditional Georgian properties in Britain. That’s because people from many European cultures influenced the style. There are Spanish, Dutch, and French architectural influences here too.
Cape Cod
The Cape Cod style first emerged in, you guessed it, Massachusetts at the start of the 1700s. Properties of this type tend to feature shingle roofs, a central door with flanking windows, and simple wood siding on the exterior. The purpose of these properties was to be able to withstand the harsh New England winter.
Today, modern architects still build homes in the Cape Cod style. However, they are usually heavily upgraded compared to their historical counterparts. Modern examples tend to have bigger windows, more floor space, and more robust construction than the originals.
Modern
There is a big difference between contemporary-style homes and mid-century modern properties. The word “modern” doesn’t mean “current” as many people suppose. Instead, it refers to a specific period in history, following the European enlightenment. Thus, there is a difference between contemporary and modern properties.
Mid-century modern homes first appeared after WWII in response to the Bauhaus movement. Properties of this type usually feature sleek, minimalistic lines that conform beautifully to the natural pattern of nature. Most homes use a mixture of man-made and natural materials. And they have large windows, allowing the home to feel more like the surrounding garden, and vice versa.
The bottom line is this: in 2021, homebuyers have more property style options than ever before. It’s just a question of settling on the one you like the most.
