Different Home Styles: 9 Most Popular in U.S.

If you’re in the market for a new house or your definition of a good time is scrolling through real estate listings (you’re our kinda people 😍), you may have noticed that there are so many different home styles and designs.

The good news – you don’t need proper training to appreciate the majority of home styles. Below are nine of the most popular home designs in the U.S.

Ranch

Unique to the U.S., these popular homes are characterized by open floor plans, single stories, and L or U shaped layouts with an attached garage.

Modern

Modern homes often feature geometric lines, large windows, elevation changes, and an integration with nature, plus materials such as steel and concrete.

Contemporary

Often confused with modern architecture, these homes focus on natural, sustainable components (bamboo floors, composite materials) and bringing in natural light.

Craftsman

Classic characteristics include intricate woodworking, detailed stone work, and arched doorways that reflect the skill of the artists and craftsmen who built them.

Cottage

A favorite in fairy tales and storybooks, these petite homes are easily recognized for their cozy feel and details like arched doorways and leaded windows.

Colonial

American Colonial homes are often built of wood, with a steep roof, central front door, shutters, dentil molding, and symmetrical design.

Victorian

These imposing homes have complicated, asymmetrical shapes, decorative trim, steep, gabled rooflines, large wraparound porches, and two or three stories.

Tudor

These striking homes have steep, multi-gabled roof lines, ornamental framing, large chimneys, and decorative entryways. Exteriors are typically made of brick, stone, stucco, or slate.

Farmhouse

Traditionally built in rural areas, farmhouses often focus on functionality, with large porches and clearly defined formal and informal spaces.