American architecture has a fascinating history. The way home styles borrow from different cultures and the past to create new visions of homes inspired by the regions of America give us fantastic monuments in architectural innovation. When identifying the types of American home styles, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on some of these more renowned and iconic designs.
Victorian Houses
Victorian-style homes are among the most iconic American homes. The Victorian era lasted from 1860 to 1900, and houses in this style are generally very ornate, distinct, and romanticized. Common themes of Victorian houses are wraparound front porches, roof towers, and primarily wood exteriors.
Mediterranean-Style Houses
Mediterranean-style houses’ colors and visual styles make it a prevalent style in more tropical oceanside areas like Florida and California. These homes are typically identifiable by a white stucco base and red clay roof tiles. Curves and arches are very common in this architectural style, and the technique has had a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Ranch Houses
When you drive through the suburbs of America, you see a lot of ranch-style houses. Traditional ranch homes came out in the early 1930s and gained popularity in the ’50s and ’60s as solid and reliable family homes. Ranch homes are generally single-story with open porches and attached garages for cars. One of the most considerable advantages of ranch-style homes is that their more straightforward floor plans make them easier to customize and make additions during renovations.
Contemporary-Style Houses
When identifying the types of American home styles, you can’t ignore the impact of contemporary-style homes. Despite the name implying it to be very recent, the contemporary style became popular in the 1970s and ’80s. Unlike many other houses, contemporary utilizes asymmetry and strong geometric shapes to create a simplistic but memorable exterior. Many contemporary-style homes use large window panes, focusing on natural light.
