Which Home Architecture Style is Right for Me?
By Chris Petry
You know, there are a lot of homes out there. Pennsylvania has a homeownership rate around 69%. Over 3.6 million homes are owner-occupied. Ohio has roughly 3.4 million owner-occupied homes with a homeownership rate at just over 70%. A little over 65 % of Americans own the homes in which they live and it’s estimated that the total number of single-family dwellings in the United States is in the 84 million plus range. Worldwide, there are around two billion residential real estate parcels. Of course, finding out exactly how many of those are single family dwellings is a little more complicated so that figure includes apartments and multi-family units. Still, there are a lot of homes out there.
A lot of homes mean a lot of different kinds of homes. Different zonings or designations and, of course, different architectural styles. Which is what we want to break down today. Everyone has different needs and styles and there’s pretty much something out there for everyone. So, if you’ve been wondering what type of home style would most appeal to your needs and aesthetic sensibilities, join us below for a full breakdown.
The Ranch-style home- Ranch style homes are the most popular style in America. Prized for their efficiency, ease of access, simple exteriors and budget-friendly cost. They’re usually one level with flatter roofs and mid-century layouts that prioritize openness and easy customization. Southfork and The Dutton Ranch are technically ranches but of a grander scale that what’s normally found in the American suburbs.
Victorians- A Victorian-style home is a home that was A) built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and B) a home with two or three stories, a sharp roof, oversized porch, high ceilings, and a closed floorplan. Think the famous Painted Ladies, as seen in the opening credits to the much-lauded sitcom Full House. Or 1313 Mockingbird Lane, the family home of America’s second most famous gaggle of ghouls, The Munsters.
The Cape Cod- Cape Cods are low to the ground, wider than they are tall, with a pitched roof and centralized hearth. They were first constructed in New England in the late colonial days, where coastal winters could cause substantial damage to roofs over a shorter window of time. Cape Cods have a dedicated fanbase to this day.
Colonials- Speaking of colonials… colonial style homes are two- or three-story homes with steep roofs, plain exteriors, a central chimney or two chimneys perfectly aligned on separated ends, multi-pane windows, and a centralized front door. Colonials were erected with perfect symmetry. Or as perfectly symmetrical as one could hope for in the days before the level. Most colonials were built in colonial America. If you skipped history class frequently, that’s pre-1776. One of the most famous colonials in pop culture is the reportedly-haunted Dutch Colonial featured in The Amityville Horror, located at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York.
Tudor Revivals- Tudor style homes, like most homestyles, have a storied history. The original Tudors were homes built during the reign of the first four Tudor Monarchs of England and Wales, between 1485 and 1560. In the late 19th century, the style was revitalized, capturing the overall presentation of an old wave Tudor but modified to be more rustic and streamlined. Think of it like Medieval on a budget. Steep-pitched roofs, asymmetric shapes, large chimneys and decorative woodwork are the hallmarks of a Tudor Revival. The most distinguishing feature, however, are the wood beams set in stucco that accentuate the exterior.
Contemporary- Contemporaries are, well, contemporary. They’re often asymmetric, eco-friendly and of mixed composition, utilizing steel, glass, concrete and custom stone and iron working. Their layout is often open and bright with high windows and ceilings and little space for clutter. They’re minimalist, if you need to apply a word to it, their color palette if often quite muted.
Of course, there are way more homestyles out there. The most unique homes of all, pay little attention to styles and trends and every home has a unique buyer who has been looking for something like it. They just need to see it first! Looking for the home that best suits your needs? Speak to an agent from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty today to ramp up your search.
