Is there such a thing as an ‘American house design?’ There sure is. American house designs are truly inspiring and as diverse as the people who inhabit them.
Considering that America is often referred to as the ‘melting pot’ of various ethnicities and cultures that form the fabric of the nation, the country’s architectural style is just as unique. In this blog, we will look at some of the best American house designs you can get inspired by. Let’s jump right in.
1. Colonial Style American Classic House Design
Ideal for: People who want a family-first design and like to entertain guests
A colonial-style home is marked by the following characteristics:
- These homes are inspired by the architectural styles used by the early English, French, Spanish, and Dutch settlers in American colonies
- In terms of the house plan, you’ll find that the house is typically saltbox shaped and is generally made of wood or brick
- Additionally, it may find classical details (think: columned/ pedimented porticoes as well as multi-pane double-hung windows along with shutters)
- Venturing into the house, you may find a central stair hall with living room on one side and a cosy dining room on the other; the kitchen often features at the rear side
2. American Modern House Design: A Mix of Glass, Wood, and Natural Stone
Ideal for: People who want a personalized floor plan to the t. A modern home is all about the homeowner’s personal taste executed with great precision and clarity.
What makes a home ‘modern?’ To start with, a modern home is conceptualized keeping modern architecture in mind. Here are a few of its defining characteristics:
- The house plan will generally sport rectangular-shaped exteriors along with flat/slanted roof-lines
- You will most definitely find creative use of glass panels for windows, doors, etc. as they boost the home’s aesthetic appeal and also improve energy efficiency
- The design aesthetic is mostly minimal, clean, and with a no-frills philosophy
- Even the colour scheme is restricted to monochromatic tones or beige, natural colours
3. The Gold Standard of American Style House Interior: Tudor Style Homes
Ideal for: Tudor house plans are for people who like a dramatic style home with a little bit of architectural drama. If you want a ‘story book’ style home; this design is for you. If you have a small family and need about two to three bedrooms, go for a modern Tudor-style home.
Tudor-style American house design has gained traction over the last couple of decades. This design style possesses the following architectural markers:
- It has tall gable/uphill roofs, patterned brick/stone chimney, transverse overhangs, high and broad windows, and diagonal/vertical beams that are reminiscent of the medieval English era (think: 1600s)
- This cottage-style design is generally one and a half to two stories in terms of the floor layout
- For these particulars, towering windows, large bedrooms with lots of natural light, and old traditional style with wood accents are significant.
4. American House Design Styles: A Fusion of Trending Contemporary Elements
Ideal for: Families or couples who want larger homes and need space. This style also allows you to be more flexible and creative in terms of design and layout.
Okay, first things first, let’s understand that a contemporary house and a modern-style home are not one and the same thing. Here’s what makes a contemporary American house design different:
- It represents a mixture of architectural elements that are trending in the here and now (think: a wooden exterior that’s intricately crafted, a modern and minimal open layout with a master bedroom, spacious bedrooms, white-cabinet kitchens, an airy and rich outdoor living space, larger than life windows in the home, and more).
- In terms of the living room interior design, a contemporary house plan encompasses wide-ranging architectural styles–from traditional to modern. The idea is to create a balance between an advanced, modern feel without compromising on traditional elements that make it one-of-a-kind
- For instance, in the image above, the use of an open floor layout and glass windows allowing for natural lighting make this home an excellent fusion of contemporary and modern styles
5. American House Design: Victorian Style
Ideal for: If you are someone who doesn’t mind meticulous planning when it comes to floor plans and home design, this style is worth considering. Plus, if you have a soft corner for intricate architectural features and love bright exterior colour schemes, the Victorian home design might be up your alley.
A list of American house design plans is incomplete without the mention of Victorian-style homes. These homes are characterized by the following:
- They generally have ornate elements all over the house–from towers and turrets to verandas and multiple rooms; the options are aplenty; in some cases, you may also find roofs with steep inclinations, a warm and fuzzy place for a bonfire, protruding bay windows, varying levels of windows looking over terraces and balconies, and more
- The material of choice is largely between wood and stone or both
- This style seeks inspiration from the late 19th-century Victorian era of home building, named after the late Queen Victoria of England; the doors and windows often take after the French style of architecture that possesses elaborate embellishments
- The best feature of Victorian homes is that they come in all shapes and sizes
6. American House Design: Ranch Style
Ideal for: Home-owners who want a home with plenty of amenities and a single-storey layout for a functional and simplified lifestyle.
A ranch floor plan comprises the following elements:
- You’ll find that these types of houses are generally single-storey and come with a patio along with shallow gable roofs
- Other indicators of a ranch-style home include open layouts, seamless indoor-outdoor living areas, shingles as well as stucco sidings, and more
- Typically resting on slab foundations, you’ll find many ranch houses with a useful basement area, which can be used for additional storage and/or as a recreational space
7. American House Design: Beach-Style Houses
Ideal for: Home-owners who wish to buy a waterfront home and wish to enjoy the outdoor life.
Looking for ideas for a waterfront home? Perhaps a home near the beach or the sea? Also known as coastal homes, a beach-style home is all about taking the outdoors in. Some of the tell-tale signs of a beach-style home include:
- Airy and open outdoor living spaces (think: wraparound porches, sun-kissed decks, roomy verandas, and more) to take advantage of the gorgeous outdoors (and the weather)
- A private, huge master balcony with an outdoor kitchen is often found in many beach house floor plans
- Additionally, another feature that is characteristic of this home is that the main floor is raised off the ground, which allows the water to pass under the house
- You can browse through the floor plans of beach cottages to get design ideas and make these ideas your own
- Another point to remember is that this design style requires specific engineering as well as local code adherence, so make sure that your contractor is experienced in the same
8. American House Design: Old-World Bungalow Style Houses
Ideal for: Home-owners who have a small suburban lot and are looking for one or one-and-a-half stories. Plus, if you have a tighter budget, this home style may be more suitable for you.
An adaptation of the Victorian-style home, you can also go for bungalow homes that come with exquisite craftsmanship, as depicted above. This style of home is:
- Compact, long, and small in size yet practical in use
- Often seen sporting a cute, wide front porch that is supported by tapered/paired columns as well as low rooflines
- In terms of the floor plan configuration, you’ll find open floor plans that are dotted with hallways as well as logically-arranged rooms
- You’ll also notice that this kind of home has plenty of windows and abundant natural lighting, making the space look bright and airy
- Think of practical built-in spaces to make the most of your storage needs, and you are good to go
9. American House Design: Queen Anne House Style
Ideal for: People who have large families and need a big space for everyone to accommodate in. This home’s architectural style is one-of-a-kind.
The Queen Anne home style is rather a rare occurrence these days, but these types of homes (as shown above) do exist. Some of the typical characteristics of these homes include:
- Multiple storeys, large footprints, huge turrets, grandiose details, and exquisite workmanship
- In terms of architectural design, you’ll find a mix of ancient Greece and Rome styles in varying degrees (read: columns, pediments, ornaments, and more)
- These homes become popular post the Civil War and have continued to gain momentum because of their unique design style
- Here’s a pro tip: Think about the number of rooms you need and the functionality for each room when conceptualizing the floor plan
10. American House Design: Mediterranean-themed European Style Houses
Ideal for: Single-family houses looking for two to three bedrooms.
If you love the European style of houses, you can go for specific themes such as Spanish, French, or Mediterranean (as shown above). Here are a few defining characteristics of European-style home plans:
- They make use of brick or stone and have arched openings as well as red tile roofs, more often than not
- They are conceptualized with high-pitched roofs, comprise tall windows with beautiful shutters, and traditionally-designed ornamental decor such as pediments, keystones, etc
- The floor plans come with an open design, due to which you can experiment with the sizes and styles.
There you go. As you can see, there are thousands of American house designs and styles you can choose from. The style you select will depend on your family’s goals and needs. That said, you need to first select the kind of design theme and floor plan for your home. Once you have that in place, you can speak to a consultant about the design style and get into the beautification of the space. For more ideas on American house designs, head over to HomeLane.
FAQs
1. What is the most common house style in America?
The ranch house style is perhaps the common house style in America today. You’ll find this design style in cities as well as suburban areas. The homes come with a single-floor layout and have low roof lines. Even within ranch house styles, you’ll find sub-styles such as California ranch-style homes, split-level ranch homes, and more. The primary differentiators between the various ranch homes are the living space as well as the layout.
2. What is the American house style generally called?
The American house style is generally known as the colonial house style. This type of American house style is rooted in the colonial era, as the name suggests. However, over the years, it has continued to evolve, paving the way for Colonial Revival homes. Some common features of colonial-style houses include the fact that they are two or three stories, have a dedicated fireplace, and are typically designed with a gorgeous brick or wood facade.
3. What are some of the most common American home styles and architectures in America?
Some of the well-known and most common architectural styles that have gained popularity in America include: The colonial style, ranch style, beach house, Mediterranean style, cabin style, classical style, craftsmen style, and country style, among others.
4. What is the most common house type in America?
According to experts, the detached, single-family home is one of the most widely-used housing styles in America. This type of home comprises a private front door, a yard in the back, and some much-needed buffer space to keep outsiders at bay.
