Choosing the Right Architectural Style for Your Home
When you’re designing a new home, the number of architectural styles can feel overwhelming. Your personal aesthetic matters—but great design should also align with your lot, your lifestyle, and how you live.
If you’re not sure how to describe your preferred look or what certain styles are called, this guide will help. Here’s a breakdown of popular home styles commonly seen throughout the U.S.
Popular House Styles in the U.S.
1. French Provincial House Style
This style arrived in the U.S. after World War I and evokes the elegance of French countryside estates. It features romantic symmetry, steep roofs, and formal lines.
Photo courtesy of http://homesoftherich.net
2. French Country House Style
French Country homes, influenced by 18th-century North America under French rule, are often one-story with steep roofs, stucco walls, narrow windows with shutters, and half-timbered framing.
Photo courtesy of http://www.bhg.com/
3. Prairie House Style
Developed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Prairie homes reflect Midwestern practicality. Look for flat or hipped roofs, open floor plans, and strong horizontal lines.
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4. Craftsman Bungalow House Style
Rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement, these homes feature wood, stone, and brick. Hallmarks include wide front porches, low-pitched roofs, exposed beams, and built-in furniture.
Photo courtesy of http://www.historichouseblog.com/
5. English Tudor House Style
Known for steep, multi-gabled roofs and half-timber framing, Tudor homes thrive in rainy, snowy regions. Windows are narrow with small panes and evoke medieval charm.
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6. Colonial House Style
Colonial homes are known for symmetry, shuttered windows, and balanced facades. They often feature columns, brick or wood exteriors, and multiple stories with bedrooms upstairs.
Photo courtesy of http://www.historicnewengland.org/
7. Georgian House Style
A substyle of Colonial design, Georgian homes are box-shaped with five front-facing windows and a centered doorway framed by decorative trim and columns.
Photo courtesy of http://www.bhg.com/
8. Queen Anne Victorian House Style
One of the most ornate Victorian styles, Queen Anne homes are known for asymmetry, bold colors, bay windows, patterned shingles, and expansive porches.
Photo courtesy of http://www.historicnewengland.org/
9. Greek Revival House Style
Inspired by ancient Greek temples, this style features bold columns, pediments, and formal symmetry. These homes often resemble stately plantation homes or civic buildings.
Photo courtesy of http://www.historicnewengland.org/
10. Mediterranean House Style
Characterized by stucco walls, red tile roofs, arches, and courtyards, Mediterranean homes are common in warm climates. Many include balconies and open-air layouts to encourage airflow.
Photo courtesy of http://www.diynetwork.com/
11. Dutch Colonial House Style
Known for their wide gambrel roofs, dormers, and flared eaves, Dutch Colonial homes often resemble barns. They typically include a centered entry with a decorative hood.
Photo courtesy of http://www.diynetwork.com/
12. Neoclassical House Style
Inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, Neoclassical homes feature large columns, pediments, and symmetry. This formal style is seen in both residential and civic architecture—including Monticello.
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Find the Perfect Home Plan for Your Style
At Elite Design Group, we specialize in ready-to-build, professionally designed house plans that reflect a variety of architectural styles—blending function, beauty, and personality.
Whether you’re drawn to classic Colonial symmetry or Mediterranean warmth, our curated plan library offers designs to match your vision and simplify your build process.
Explore our full collection of house plans and take the next step toward building a home that fits your life.
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