While categorizing homes into styles can lead to muddy waters (such as transitional that incorporates contemporary, traditional, and sometimes mediterranean or craftsman elements), we've most frequently incorporated the following eight design styles.
Here are our 8 most popular requested home design styles (in no particular order):
RANCH:
Maybe it's about designing and building in Texas, but ranch styles are very prevalent on wide lots or acreage. The sprawling, typically one-story construction has many architectural features of interest - window overhangs, faux trusses, shutters, and gables. We've seen brick and stone, sometimes combined with Hardie plank, as well as metal and shingle roofs.
FARMHOUSE:
The farmhouse is usually smaller than a ranch and typically uses more Hardie plank than masonry. Farmhouses are known for their large-scale porches, and appeal for smaller properties with a second story view. Many times these homes are on piers, with steps leading up to the expansive front porch as this plan above.
CRAFTSMAN:
Also referred to as "Bungalows," the craftsman style home originated in the 19th century, and really became popular in the early 1900s as a kind of architectural revolt against the industrial era. The highlights of the home became the intricate handcrafted details, natural elements added to the style, and decorative trim in contrasting paint or stained wood. Many older neighborhoods still have these full-of-charm homes, and newer homes are designed to incorporate that same antique appeal.
ACADIAN:
Frequently seen in Louisiana and derived from the original French Country style, Acadian style homes focus primarily on the outdoor living aspect typical with a plantation home. As its parent origin, Acadian homes have brick, Hardie, or stucco exteriors, with tall and thin windows flanked by shutters, a steep roof with dormers (either rounded or square), and a large front porch area with columns.
MEDITERRANEAN:
Based off the architecture visible in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, Mediterranean homes feature an exterior combination of stucco and stone with the occasional tile roof, courtyards, and balconies. Homeowners may want to add large wooden or iron doors with ornate detail and most of the homes have a low pitch to a flat roof style.
CONTEMPORARY:
The modern feel of a contemporary plan with large open windows and various angles and slants of a roofline has its place both in rural and urban areas. Most commonly, the exterior is a combination of natural and manmade elements - metal roofs and cedar or Hardie trim, sometimes with thin ledge stone. Contemporary homes showcase simplistic elevations with natural lighting while maximizing the interior livability of open concept floor plans.
TRADITIONAL:
American Traditional homes host an exterior of mainly brick, typically a reddish tone, with a lighter colored Hardie plank on the rear elevation. Composite shingle roofs in darker colors in varying roof pitches are commonly seen, as well as a symmetrical front elevation with multiple gables.
TRANSITIONAL:
The fusing of multiple styles into one home is referred to as "transitional". Many homeowners desire to merge their two favorites into one - we've most commonly combined contemporary and traditional styles together. This design blends the sometimes cold lines of contemporary with the ornate traditional, creating a new exterior that hosts the benefits of both without entirely checking either box.Which style, or combination, would you choose for your home?
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