Contemporary, farmhouse, cape cod, craftsman — there’s a seemingly endless list of residential architecture styles to choose from when buying, designing, or building a home. But what styles transcend fads and the passing of time, and what are buyers looking for today?
Contemporary
Marked by large, tall windows and lack of ornamentation, Contemporary homes often have an unusual mix of materials such as stone, brick, wood, and glass. These homes increasingly make use of flat roof systems, although gabled roof types are also incredibly popular, with the latter often characterized by exposed beams. Both tend to be designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape.
Advantages:
- Natural light
- Spaciousness
- Often surrounded by nature
- Sustainable building materials
Disadvantages:
- Can be bland
- Prone to damage (broken glass, etc.)
- Expensive
- Trendy
Cottage
A Cottage is easiest understood as a small home for a single family. Cottage-style architecture is celebrated for its simple design, coziness, and ability to stand the test of time.
Advantages:
- Coziness
- Longevity
- Location
- Simple design
- Encourages togetherness
Disadvantages:
- Small floorplan
- Maintenance
- Location
- Can feel cramped
- Resale value
Farmhouse
Farmhouse homes embody a cozy feel with a modern-yet-rustic look. They emphasize function, natural materials, organic color palettes, and a variety of textures. Farmhouse modular homes are also on the rise. Here, elements of warm minimalism also come into play, embracing simplicity and comfort.
Advantages:
- Flexible design
- Inexpensive
- Low maintenance
- Often in nature
Disadvantages:
- Can be isolating
- Difficult to personalize
- Finding fixtures that match the style
- Could look dated
Ranch
This style harkens back to Spanish Colonial, Prairie, and craftsman homes and is known for its one-story, pitched-roof construction, built-in garage, wood or brick exterior walls, sliding and picture windows, and sliding doors leading to patios.
Advantages:
- Low maintenance
- Affordable
- Easy to design
- Easy to evacuate
Disadvantages:
- Requires more property
- Limited design flexibility
- Can feel cramped
- Smaller yard
Cape Cod
Cape Cods are some of the earliest houses built in the US, dating back to the 17th century in New England when the first colonial style Cape Cods were shingle-sided, one-story cottages with no dormers. The style evolved into a square or rectangular structure with one- or one-and-a-half stories, accompanied by steeply pitched, gabled roofs. It may have dormers and shutters. The siding on traditional Cape Cod-style homes is usually clapboard, cedar shake, or brick, though contemporary designs have begun prioritizing products that look like weathered wood which are much more resilient to coastal weather.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive to build
- Flexible design options
- Curb appeal
- Built to last
Disadvantages:
- Relatively small floorplan
- Frequently have low ceilings
- Difficult to expand
- Hot second floor
Craftsman
Craftsman-style homes are similar to the conventional bungalow but lack any sort of real ornamentation. The incredible simplicity of this style was meant to evoke a natural, almost organic character that allowed the home to blend in with any landscape. Some of the most common materials used in its construction include rough-hewn wood, natural stone, and stucco. Identifying exterior features typically include a low-slung gabled roof, overhanging eaves, and very wide front porches which are often framed by squat tapered columns on elevated pedestals. They are generally designed around an open floor plan and can include interior elements like exposed roof rafters or beamed ceilings, handcrafted furniture, and dark wooden molding and wainscoting.
Advantages:
- Typically have large porches
- Handcrafted aesthetic
- Lower build cost
- Sustainable building materials
Disadvantages:
- Some may find them plain
- Low square footage and smaller room size
- Susceptible to termite damage
- Upkeep can be expensive
Neo-Eclectic
The Neo-Eclectic house style can be best described as an amalgamation of different architectural elements found in a variety of revival-type home styles, combining design elements from multiple architectural styles in the same building. Architects in different regions often draw upon various styles when designing these homes, with the Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles being incredibly influential on the West Coast and the Georgian Revival, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Cape Cod styles greatly influencing the design of Neo-Eclectic homes along the East Coast. Regardless of region, the stylistic elements of Neo-Eclectic homes are almost always superficial, existing only for decorative purposes. Surface-level claddings like architectural stone veneer are often used in place of their structural counterparts and many Neo-Eclectic homes take advantage of external insulation and finish systems, which may be shaped, textured, and colored to mimic a variety of materials.
Advantages:
- Large and spacious
- Ideal for families
- Built-in garages
- Have a modern feel
Disadvantages:
- Considered unoriginal and pretentious
- Often make use of cheaper materials
- Require frequent maintenance and repairs
- Harder to heat and cool efficiently
Colonial
Colonial style includes any house that is rectangular and symmetrical with bedrooms on the second floor. The double-hung windows usually have many small, equally sized square panes. From the late 1800s throughout the 20th century builders made Colonial Revival homes with elegant central hallways and elaborate cornices. Unlike the original Colonials, Colonial Revival homes are often sided in white clapboard and trimmed with black or green shutters.
Advantages:
- Curb appeal
- Privacy (distinct rooms)
- Large floorplan
- Grand front entrance
Disadvantages:
- Mobility
- Isolated rooms
- Standard ceiling heights
- Limited light fixture options
Four of the above styles have repeatedly dominated the housing market over the last five years: Ranch, Neo-eclectic, Colonial, and Contemporary. These styles, especially the Ranch, have remained popular in large part thanks to their affordability and overall practicality, qualities that make them ideal for families.
No matter which style of home you choose—it’s more than just a design preference. A home is a long-term investment, and protecting that investment is just as important as choosing the right style. That’s why using a builder who includes an RWC structural warranty on their homes can make all the difference. If unexpected issues arise, a warranty provides the peace of mind that your home—and your finances—are protected, so you can focus on enjoying the space and building memories.