26 Charming Architectural House Styles—and What Makes Each Unique

Visit any suburban area, and chances are you’ll spot split-level homes. Popular from the 1950s to the 1970s, they’re defined by features like staggered floor levels, low-pitched roofs, and bay windows.

Art Deco design, made popular in the 1920s, is characterized by bold colors and geometric shapes. In New York, the Art Deco style became popular in skyscrapers first—think about the Empire State building, Rockefeller Plaza, and the Chrysler Building. Although a bit different when translated to home design, the style still encompasses those same striking features.

Back in the day, townhouses were usually secondary homes to wealthy families who also owned country houses that they would spend most of their time in. Nowadays, this style can be seen all over cities in the U.S., especially New York City. Although on the smaller side, townhouses are best known for their prime location in major urban areas.

A contemporary house exterior is pretty similar to a contemporary interior. Think clean lines, a minimalist style, and neutral color palettes as seen in this home by Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors. Contemporary homes are usually built with sustainable materials like wood and stone.

Photo by: Steven Gray

If you’re a New England native, you’re definitely familiar with the quaint saltbox style. As you may notice by looking at its shape, saltbox homes are two stories on one side (the side with the traditional roof) and one story on the other (the side with the steep-pitched roof). But what is a saltbox? These homes get their name from what used to be a popular way to store salt. In colonial America, salt was valuable. Settlers would store their salt in a box with a slanted lid. This shape also worked well for homes in New England, where winter weather would put a lot of pressure on the roofs of homes.

Although these cute homes can be seen across the U.S. today, bungalows actually originated in India when the country was under British rule during the 1800s. The British wanted to build low-cost homes on a quick timeline, resulting in this popular style.

Photo by: Patricia Burke

Shingle-style homes are often found in beachy New England towns like Cape Cod, Newport and even a bit south of the region—the Hamptons. Somehow traditional yet modern in appearance, these asymmetrical abodes give off a relaxed feel (which is perfect for hitting the beach).

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Modeled after farmhouses on the Italian countryside in the early 1800s, Italianate-style homes stand out for their grand stature. This style made its way to the U.S. in the 1850s, overtaking suburban neighborhoods. Although the style has mostly waned in the states, you still may be able to spot one while driving down an old-school Main Street.

As implied by the name, Colonial-style homes were first built in the U.S. in the 1600s and 1700s by British colonists. Using the materials they had access to and ideas from the house styles they were used to seeing back in their country, colonists created the Colonial home. As a result, this classic style is a combination of a few other styles, including Georgian and Federal. Now, Colonial-style homes, like the one seen here by Tidbits & Company, are seen most commonly in the Northeastern U.S.. However, they’re also present throughout any states that were formerly part of the original 13 colonies.

RELATED: Step Inside This Revived Connecticut Colonial

Part of the larger Victorian architectural style, Queen Anne homes became popular in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These elegant homes typically feature a variety of building materials and different shaped shingles, according to National Park Service.

Flat roofs, large windows and open floor plans are essential to modern architecture. Simple yet polished, the modern house style puts an emphasis on materials like glass and concrete while steering clear of decor and adornments. Instead, the focus is on function and minimalist design.

RELATED: 17 Modern Living Room Ideas

The modern farmhouse has quickly become one of the most desired house styles around, and for good reason. Inspired by past traditional farmhouse exteriors, the modern take on the design combines old-school elements like steep-pitched roofs, shutters and front porches with more contemporary features like clean lines, large windows and neutral colors for a practical yet stylish exterior like the one seen here by Patula Builders.

Photo by: Patricia Burke

RELATED: 25 Farmhouse Decor Ideas That Perfectly Blend Modern and Rustic Styles

While Victorian houses highlighted innovations made during the Industrial Revolution, Craftsman-style homes focused more on simplicity and handmade touches. This style emerged during the British Arts and Crafts Movement, which was led by those who believed machines were putting human labor in danger. In the U.S., similar movements began to crop up, leading to this simple style.

Eye-catching and grand, spires play a key role in the Gothic Revival movement. Meant to draw your eye up, these vertical lines and pointed arches are a tell-tale sign of Gothic Revival architecture, which became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Barn-style homes usually give off a rural, rustic feel using natural materials like stone and wood. Recently, homeowners have been purchasing “barndomoniums,” or barns that have been converted into open floor plan living spaces. These trendy spaces have generated a ton of buzz on social media, with over 50k posts on TikTok related to the term.

Photo by: Patricia Burke

After World War II, American families began prioritizing family and leisure time, particularly outdoors. Midcentury modern homes, which became popular during this time period, seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces through floor-to-ceiling windows and easy entryways into the yard.