Top 10 Ways to Find Your Home Style

Ask yourself these questions to find a type of architecture that fits your lifestyle and tastes

Region: Find Your Home Style

When choosing a home style, the region and climate you live in (or want to live in) are huge factors to consider. Some home styles are more prevalent is certain areas of the country -- and for good reason. Pueblo revival homes, for instance, are popular in the Southwest because their thick, adobe walls are perfect for hot weather. That doesn't mean it's impossible to find pueblo revival homes in other parts of the country, but you'll likely have to deal with added maintenance issues if you choose a home style that's not ideal for the climate you live in.

• East Coast home styles: Cape Cod, Colonial, Federal, Neoclassical, Tudor Revival
• Midwest home styles: Prairie, Tudor Revival
• West Coast home styles: Arts and Crafts, Mediterranean, Ranch
• Southwest home styles: Pueblo Revival, Spanish

Neighborhood: Find Your Home Style

Like the region you occupy, the type of neighborhood you want to call home is an important factor in your home style search, simply because certain styles are more prevalent in certain communities. If you have your heart set on living in a big city, your options are somewhat limited to lofts, row houses and other styles typically found in the urban core. Outside of the city, your choices are much broader. If a family-friendly bedroom community sounds appealing, you may find yourself drawn toward a casual ranch home or a well-appointed French provincial. If you'd rather settle down in a historic neighborhood, consider an elegant Colonial, a cozy Tudor revival or an elaborate Victorian.

• Urban home styles: Art Deco, Loft, Pre-War, Row House
• Suburban home styles: Arts and Crafts, Cape Cod, Colonial, French Provincial, Post War, Ranch, Tudor Revival, Victorian
• Rural home styles: Farmhouse, Greek Revival

Are you just starting out or trading up? 

If you're buying your first place, chances are you're on a budget. Certain home styles, such as the durable, dependable post-war home, tend to be affordable and easy to maintain, making them great starter homes. If you're selling your first place and looking for something a bit grander, you can think beyond "basic" homes and consider styles that tend to be larger and more ornate. The French provincial style, known for its steeply pitched roof and elegant brick exterior, is popular in high-end housing developments across the country. Since these homes are often built on a grand scale, they're a good choice for trade-up buyers.

• First-timer friendly styles: Cape Cod, Post-War, Ranch
• Styles for second-time buyers: Colonial, Contemporary, French Provincial, Italianate, Pre-War

How much space do you need? 

Some home styles are great for growing families, while others work well for empty nesters. If you have kids, the quintessential, American ranch home is always a great choice. These homes typically have large, open floor plans, garages for extra storage space and family-friendly backyards. Coincidentally, a smaller ranch home can also be a great option for empty nesters or buyers looking for a home to grow old in. The single-story layout of the ranch home makes it a good fit for seniors.

• Spacious home styles: Contemporary, French Provincial, Modern, Prairie, Ranch
• Manageable home styles: Cape Cod, Post-War, Ranch

 

How much home maintenance are you willing to do? 

Think carefully about upkeep as you're selecting a home style. A stately, 19th-century Federal might sound appealing, but historic homes require regular maintenance -- often from a specialized craftsman -- to care for their delicate, hand-carved detail and finish. For some homeowners, this upkeep is well worth it to own a place with history and character, but others may want something more manageable. If you want to keep home maintenance to a minimum, think solid construction with little ornamentation. Ranch houses, for instance, tend to be easy to maintain because they're often made of brick and are sparsely adorned.

• High-maintenance styles: Federal, Greek Revival, Pre-War, Arts and Crafts, Victorian
• Low-maintenance styles: Contemporary, Italianate, Mid-Century Modern, Post-War, Ranch

Do you prefer an open floor plan or cozy spaces?

Many home styles conceived in the 20th century, such as the sleek modern style, are known for their free-flowing floor plans, which offer a feeling of openness between the living room, dining room and kitchen. This type of floor plan is great for homeowners who love to entertain, but some might prefer a home with more privacy. If you want distinct rooms and a cozier feeling, opt for an early American home style like the Cape Cod. Popular in colder climates, these welcoming homes feature small rooms clustered around a large, central chimney.

• Open home styles: Arts and Crafts, Contemporary, Loft, Mid-Century Modern, Modern, Prairie
• Cozy home styles: Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, Victorian

Old or new?

For some, nothing beats the feeling of being the first person to live in a brand-new home, when everything from the appliances to the doorknobs is shiny and new. Sleek, contemporary homes are one option for these buyers, but certain classic styles, including ranch and Arts and Crafts, are also making a comeback in the new construction market. For others, history and character are what make a home appealing. These homebuyers can find renovated Victorians, Colonials and other historic styles in established communities throughout the country -- or fixer-uppers, if they're up for the challenge of restoring an older home.

• Home styles with history: Colonial, Farmhouse, Federal, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, Pre-War, Victorian
• Shiny, new home styles: Arts and Crafts, Contemporary, French Provincial, Loft, Ranch

Form or function?

Some home styles are more about looks than practicality. Queen Anne Victorian homes are appealing to many homebuyers for their vibrant colors and decorative embellishments, but others may be turned off by their small, boxy rooms and minimal storage space. Starting with the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 19th century, architects began designing homes that serve human needs without being too showy. Homes from this era maximized space with built-in furniture and light fixtures, and "destroyed the box" of the Victorian era with open, flowing floor plans.

• Aesthetic home styles: Art Deco, Greek Revival, Mediterranean, Pre-War, Spanish, Victorian
• Functional home styles: Arts and Crafts, Contemporary, Post-War, Prairie, Ranch

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• Indoor vs Outdoor: Find Your Home Style

An indoor or outdoor living emphasis? 

Depending on climate, some home styles are all about indoor living, while others attempt to integrate architecture with nature. Popular in the Northeast and the Midwest, Tudor revival homes boast grand stone hearths around which families can warm up and relax. Spanish homes, on the other hand, often feature large, central courtyards for informal outdoor gatherings.

• Home styles for indoor lovers: Cape Cod, Tudor Revival
• Home styles for outdoor enthusiasts: Contemporary, Mediterranean, Mid-Century Modern, Modern, Pueblo Revival, Spanish

What kind of interior decor do you fancy? 

Of course, you can decorate your home however you see fit, but certain interior design styles complement certain architectural styles. For instance, if your taste in decor is traditional, you may want to steer clear of sleek, mid-century modern homes and consider a sophisticated Italianate. If your tastes in architecture and home decor are vastly different, you may be able to find compromise -- simply adorned styles like post-war can work with a range of home decor.
Home styles for contemporary decor: Art Deco, Contemporary, Loft, Ranch

Home styles for traditional decor: Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Neoclassical, Pre-War, Row House, Tudor Revival, Victorian

Home styles for country decor:Cape Cod, Farmhouse, French Provincial

Home styles for Western decor:Pueblo Revival, Spanish                                      

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