When it comes to different aspects of life such as music, food, fashion, or cars, we all have our own distinct preferences. The same applies to the places we call home. Whether it’s an A-frame or a Victorian, the architectural styles of our houses are as diverse and individual as we are. That’s why we’ve put together this roundup of home styles for you to choose from. With this, you’re bound to find a style that perfectly aligns with your specific architectural taste. Within each style showcased below, don’t forget to read through the descriptions. They will help you quickly pinpoint a home that fulfills all your requirements in terms of design and much more.
Acadian
The Acadian style of home design drew inspiration from French country homes, as settlers from rural France migrated to Canada in North America during the early colonial era. The harsh winters and heavy snowfall in the Northeast necessitated steep and sturdy roofs, as well as a durable exterior. This is why Acadian or French Colonial homes often showcase hip roofs with a steep pitch, along with brick or stone facades. As the Acadian style spread southward to French-based colonies like Louisiana, it faced additional challenges such as warm subtropical heat and stormy conditions near the Gulf. To accommodate these factors, robust covered porches and front window shutters were incorporated into the design, providing both comfortable outdoor living space and protection during rough storms. Despite these adaptations, the French influence remains prominent in Acadian home plans, featuring rounded window and entry door headers. Additionally, decorative gables or dormers are commonly seen in the roof line. While not all Acadian homes include large front porches, if they do have one, it typically features straight columns without a railing around it.
A-Frame
A-frame houses, true to their name, are architectural structures that bear a striking resemblance to the letter “A.” These unique dwellings showcase walls with steep angles that start near the foundation and form a triangular shape. Noteworthy features of A-frame houses include soaring interior ceilings, open floor plans, expansive windows, loft space, and charming wood siding. However, due to their distinctive slanted design, these houses have some limitations when it comes to living space. As a result, many individuals opt to utilize A-frame houses as secondary residences or vacation homes.
Barndominium
Barndominiums have gained immense popularity among modern buyers. These structures, typically made of metal frames, offer the unique opportunity to live in a fusion of a barn and a condominium. The appeal lies in their ability to blend the rustic charm of a barn with the modern comforts of a condominium.
Bungalow
Bungalow house plans have a fascinating origin rooted in the Bengal region of South Asia. Traditionally, they were characterized by their single-story structure, featuring a cozy loft and a charming porch. Over time, these architectural designs have undergone transformations to incorporate elements from craftsman, cottage, and rustic style homes. As a result, it is quite common for individuals to mistake cottages, cabins, and Craftsman homes for bungalows due to their shared design features.
Cabin
Cabins are an excellent choice when it comes to a vacation home or even a permanent residence. Their uncomplicated and rustic design is perfect for families who appreciate the beauty of nature. Whether you desire a cozy ski cabin or a charming beachside retreat, house plan websites offer an abundance of choices to cater to your preferences.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod style homes exude a timeless charm, evoking the essence of New England. These homes are characterized by their distinct architectural elements such as a steeply-pitched roof, shingle siding that adds texture and character, a centrally positioned chimney, and charming dormer windows that bring in natural light. The appeal of Cape Cod style homes lies in their traditional design that captures the essence of a bygone era while still maintaining its relevance in modern times.
Coastal
Coastal houses, also referred to as beach houses, are specifically designed to offer residents a close-up and convenient view of a body of water. These homes provide an exquisite scenery that waterfronts have to offer. When it comes to coastal homes, a certain level of elegance is anticipated, and online house plans certainly deliver. There is an extensive assortment of coastal house plans, which cater to various needs such as retirement homes, vacation properties, rental investments, or simply a second home by the beach.
Colonial
The origins of colonial style house plans can be traced back several centuries prior to the birth of the United States of America. These unique designs boast distinctive features such as a grand entrance reminiscent of a temple, a central entry-hall, and charming fireplaces or chimneys. Influenced by European culture, these houses typically span two to three stories and showcase symmetrical brick or wood facades topped with gable roofs. The main living spaces, including the kitchen and living room, are found on the first floor, while the bedrooms are nestled on the upper floors. This well-defined layout has maintained its appeal among homeowners who appreciate timeless European architectural aesthetics.
Contemporary
Contemporary house designs cater to the needs of homeowners and real estate investors who desire a home with a cutting-edge and futuristic architectural style. These designs typically embrace simplicity on the exterior, focusing on clean lines and minimal ornamentation. They showcase generous fixed glass windows that flood the interiors with natural light, providing breathtaking views of the surroundings. Whether you’re in search of a floor plan for your dream modern home or aiming to construct a rental property with lucrative returns, house plan websites present an extensive array of contemporary options. With any search tool, you can effortlessly locate your desired house plan within minutes.
Cottage
Cottage homes evoke images of cozy vacation retreats and enchanting storybook-style architecture. These charming abodes offer a versatile range of designs that cater to various tastes. Online house plan collections boast an extensive array of delightful cottage plans for you to explore and select from.
Country
Country house plans provide an opportunity to embrace a serene and rustic lifestyle, regardless of your desired location for building your new home. By constructing a country home within the confines of a city, you can still capture the essence of a rural environment right in the heart of urbanity. Furthermore, the inclusion of expansive front porches and cozy hearth rooms in country houses fosters a welcoming and cozy ambiance that is often absent in many other residential properties. Some websites offer an extensive collection of thousands of country-style home plans meticulously crafted by esteemed architects from both America and Canada. This vast selection guarantees that you will discover a design that perfectly aligns with your unique vision for your dream home.
Craftsman
Craftsman home plans, also referred to as Arts and Crafts Style homes, boast a distinctively exquisite and authentically handcrafted appearance. These architectural designs commonly incorporate a combination of exterior finishes, including cedar shakes, stone, and shiplap siding. Should you seek a blueprint that places utmost importance on the artistry of construction, opting for a craftsman house plan might prove to be an ideal choice.
Earth Sheltered Homes
Earth sheltered home plans gained popularity in the 1970s as people became more conscious of energy efficiency. However, the concept of Earth Homes has been around for centuries. These underground homes offer numerous benefits, including energy savings and enhanced protection from severe weather events like tornadoes. When built correctly, earth shelters or underground houses are also environmentally friendly, minimizing material usage and energy consumption. Earth berm houses are considered highly eco-friendly options in housing design.
European
There is a wide variety of home styles available nowadays. Home designers have ingeniously merged different design elements to create homes that offer the best of multiple worlds. These exceptional and captivating styles draw inspiration from various regions across Europe. European architecture has served as a rich source for combining distinct features, resulting in one-of-a-kind and cherished designs that are admired globally. European house plans typically incorporate traditional design elements like stone arches, delightful window shutters, roofs with multiple slopes, charmingly asymmetrical facades, and clipped gables.
Farmhouse Style
Modern farmhouse style homes have been a staple in rural areas for many years. However, these charming abodes are now gaining popularity even within city limits. With their two-story structure, inviting wrap-around porch, cozy family gathering spaces, a collection of bedrooms on the upper level, elegant front rooms, and a rustic country kitchen, farmhouses offer the perfect solution to meet the evolving requirements of your growing family.
Florida
When it comes to designing homes suitable for hot and humid climates, Florida style home plans are a popular choice. These unique designs feature stucco exteriors, often accompanied by metal or tiled roofs. The open-concept interiors add to the overall coastal feel, making them perfect for beachside living. Some websites offer a diverse range of Florida house plans that cater to different preferences and needs. Whether you’re looking for something small and traditional or luxurious, there are options available. If you’re interested in exploring more architectural styles with a similar vibe, be sure to check out collections of Mediterranean Style house plans as well.
French Country
French country house plans come in a range of sizes, from cozy cottages to grand chateaus, and they showcase numerous traditional European characteristics. As you step inside, you’ll discover charming details like exposed ceiling beams, inviting plaster walls, rustic brick flooring, and medieval-inspired iron light fixtures. The arched doorways beckon you further into the house while the balconies invite you to savor the beauty of nature. The combination of stone masonry, stucco exteriors, and gently sloping roof lines perfectly capture the essence of rural French design. These architectural elements create a captivating ambiance that transports you to the picturesque countryside.
Greek Revival
Greek Revival architecture, with its towering columns and distinctive pediments, gained popularity between the 1820s and 1850s. Architects and archaeologists of that time drew inspiration from Greek architecture as a means to express national pride. While variations can be found based on geographical location, the commanding design of these homes continues to be a defining characteristic.
Historic
If you’re someone who finds inspiration in the past, you’ll appreciate the charm of historic house plans. They offer a sense of nostalgia without the hassle of constant restoration or renovation. Despite being a relatively young country, America’s surviving historic homes showcase architectural elements from various parts of the world such as English, Colonial, Victorian, Mediterranean, Greek Revival, and Federal Style. In older cities with designated historic districts, there are strict regulations to ensure that new construction blends seamlessly with the existing homes. Renovating older houses can be quite challenging as many lack basic amenities like bathrooms and kitchens. This is why building a “new” historic house with a modern floor plan is often more preferable and practical for accommodating these necessities during renovation.
Italian
If you’ve ever fantasized about living in a picturesque Italian villa, nestled amongst rolling vineyards and charming farms, then an Italian house plan is the perfect choice for you. Among the types of house plans, this design incorporates a range of inviting elements that capture the essence of Italian architecture. Imagine low-pitched clay tile rooftops, creamy stucco exteriors, and walls made of beautiful stone or brick. The windows and doorways are often adorned with elegant arches, while exposed beams add a touch of rustic charm. Inside, you’ll find exquisite cotto floors that exude warmth and character. To further connect with the natural surroundings, these houses often feature French doors that open up to outdoor loggias or balconies. This allows residents to fully embrace nature and enjoy breathtaking views. Italian culture revolves around food, family, and entertaining. As such, the kitchens in these homes are designed to be spacious enough to accommodate high-end appliances for even the most avid hosts. Whether it’s preparing a delicious meal or hosting a memorable gathering, these kitchens provide all the space you need. Depending on specific features incorporated into the design, these homes may also be classified as Tuscan or Mediterranean style homes. Whichever classification they fall under, one thing is certain – an Italian house plan offers a truly captivating living experience reminiscent of the stunning landscapes and rich traditions of Italy.
Log
When it comes to constructing a log cabin or log house, having a well-designed architectural plan is crucial. This plan serves as the blueprint for the construction, using logs that have not been converted into framing lumber. It’s worth noting that most house plans are standard architectural designs and not pre-made kits for log homes. Still, there are numerous log plans available online, and it can be quite overwhelming to find the perfect one. However, you’re in luck as websites have curated an extensive collection of log home plans for your convenience. Additionally, they offer a search system that allows you to easily and efficiently find builder-ready log home plans.
Mediterranean
If you’re looking to settle down or already live in a region known for its warm and pleasant coastal weather, you might want to consider constructing a Mediterranean-style home. These architectural blueprints replicate the charm and layout of seaside villas, offering an immersive experience akin to an extended getaway. Characterized by low-slope tiled rooftops and generous eaves that offer ample shade and help maintain a refreshing indoor atmosphere, these house plans are the epitome of comfort.
Modern
When it comes to contemporary architecture, modern house plans truly embody its essence. This renowned style is characterized by its simplicity, clean lines, and captivating roof lines that immediately capture your attention. Crafting a personalized plan for your modern home can be quite challenging. It often requires the assistance of an architect to meticulously create and design a blueprint, which can be overwhelming for those new to the home buying process. However, there’s no need to worry because online tools are here to lend a hand. With their extensive collection of hundreds of modern house plans under $300K to build, they have options that cater to every lifestyle and budget. Rest assured, they got you covered!
Narrow Lot
In the world of architecture and home design, narrow lot house plans go by various names such as Zero-Lot-Line home plans or Patio Lot homes. These specialized designs cater to higher-density zoning areas where homes are typically grouped closely together. The beauty of exploring our vast online collection of house plans for narrow lots lies in the wide range of options available. By simply specifying the maximum width suitable for your narrow lot, you will instantly be presented with a diverse selection of appropriately sized narrow home designs to choose from.
New American Style
The architecture of the new American style is not confined to a single specific style. Instead, it incorporates various elements from different architectural styles, resulting in a unique and fresh aesthetic. New American House Plans embrace a warm and inviting atmosphere, characterized by open spaces, ample natural light through large windows, and high ceilings that create a sense of spaciousness. This style captures the essence of family living and celebrates diversity while still maintaining a sense of familiarity.
One Story
When it comes to the architecture of a home, there are various styles that can be incorporated into a one-story house plan. These designs can be found in Ranch, Country, Contemporary, Florida, Mediterranean, European, Vacation and even Luxury floor plans. The advantage of single-level house plans lies in their energy and cost efficiency. Moreover, these plans come in a wide range of sizes, catering to both small and large spaces.
Plantation
Plantation houses have their origins in the antebellum South, particularly in the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana. These regions were known for cultivating crops such as sugarcane, indigo, rice, and cotton. The affluent landowners took pride in residing in these elegant manors designed in symmetrical Greek Revival or Federal styles while overseeing their plantations. The front porches or verandas were supported by imposing columns, offering shade for the interior spaces. To combat the humid climate, tall French windows were installed to capture refreshing breezes, high ceilings allowed hot air to dissipate from the living areas, and raised foundations protected against potential floods. Upon entering these houses, guests would often be awed by a grand staircase located in the foyer. If you explore the remarkable online collection of plantation-style homes, you will discover designs of exceptional beauty. Additionally, you’ll see house plans that cater to modern preferences with features like open-concept kitchens, upstairs laundry rooms, and “bonus” rooms ideal for playrooms or other purposes. You’ll find a wide range of layouts and sizes available for your next home from several websites.
Prairie
The Prairie House style, which gained popularity in the American Midwest from 1900 to 1930, was heavily influenced by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. These homes are characterized by their flat and horizontal appearance, achieved through low-pitched roofs and overhanging eaves. The use of natural materials such as stone and brick for the foundation, along with solid masonry piers, contributes to their geometric and boxy aesthetic. While the original designs, known as Prairie Box or American Foursquare, featured a square footprint, modern iterations may incorporate projecting rooms. The open floor plan is brightened by rows of small windows and occasionally complemented by a central chimney.
Ranch
Ranch houses are the perfect choice for those seeking a relaxed and easygoing lifestyle. These homes typically consist of just one level, eliminating the hassle of constantly going up and down stairs. Moreover, they come with generous patios, expansive porches, soaring cathedral ceilings, and large windows. The layout of ranch houses is casual and laid-back, often featuring an open kitchen. All these elements combine to create a spacious and flexible living environment that caters to individuals in search of ample room and enhanced mobility.
Mid Century
In the realm of Retro and Mid Century house plans, you’ll find collections that epitomize enduring architectural designs. These homes were originally crafted by visionary designers during the 1950s and 1960s, and continue to captivate even in contemporary times. The resurgent appeal of classic Ramblers and timeless Contemporary Style plans has played a pivotal role in their renewed popularity.
Saltbox
Saltbox home plans are a unique twist on the classic Colonial style house plan and are aptly named after the traditional salt containers used in the Colonial era. These homes typically feature a two-story layout, with the rear roof extending down the back side of the house. This extension allows for the addition of a one-story section at the rear of the home. The resulting side view of the house resembles the shape of a saltbox, hence its name. Back in Colonial times, this clever design modification provided a practical solution for accommodating growing families by expanding the living space.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe homes today showcase a blend of Native American and Spanish architectural concepts. These unique designs, also known as Adobe or Pueblo Revival Style, draw inspiration from the capital city of New Mexico and can be observed throughout the Southwest region. Constructed primarily using Adobe brick, which is made from sun-dried desert clay, these homes feature rustic log ceiling beams, tile floors, wooden lintels, flagstone patios, and flat rooftops. Cultural elements are also incorporated in the form of nichos – wall shelves that are intricately carved to display religious relics. Additionally, these homes often include kivas, which are fireplaces shaped like beehives and situated in room corners. To further enhance functionality and aesthetics, built-in benches known as bancos may also be incorporated into the overall design.
Southern
Southern house plans are known for their spacious and airy living areas as well as their high ceilings. These homes are specifically designed to accommodate the warm and humid climates that are experienced in the Southern states. In terms of style, Southern house plans draw inspiration from country, Georgian, and Federal designs. They typically feature gabled roofs with dormers and wrap-around porches that offer ample shade and help to keep the home cool during the hot days.
In addition to these features, Southern house designs often include uniformly spaced windows with distinctive shutters, center doorways and entrances, strong supporting columns, and covered balconies.
Most house plan websites feature a collection of Southern home plans. With thousands of floor plans designed specifically for the Southern region, they have a wide variety of options for you to choose from. The best part is that they offer customization services so that you can modify any floor plan to suit your personal preferences.
Southwest
Southwest home designs often feature sleek exterior walls made of stucco, wood, or brick. The roof lines are typically shallow or even flat, and these homes seldom exceed two stories in height. People commonly refer to the Southwestern style house plan as Pueblo, Spanish Revival, Adobe, or Mission home plans.
Traditional
Traditional house plans are a fascinating blend of different architectural styles, including Colonial, Country, Georgian, European, and Classic. They occupy a unique space between contemporary and historic house floor plans, making them difficult to define precisely. However, there are certain characteristics that set traditional homes apart – they exude simplicity, elegance, and warmth. In fact, the majority of homes in America can be classified as traditional. It’s no wonder that many prospective homeowners gravitate towards traditional house plans as their top choice.
Tudor
Tudor house plans represent an elevated iteration of traditional English cottages, French country houses, and colonial-style counterparts. These homes showcase unique and ornamental half-timbering on both their interiors and exteriors, featuring stucco surfaces and brick facades. Additionally, they boast steeply pitched gable roofs, high ceilings, grand chimneys, and dormer windows that define the architectural style of these residences.
With lots of distinct options available online, you will likely find a Tudor house plan that aligns with your preferences, lifestyle, and budget. Moreover, most of these floor plans can be customized to accommodate your specific housing requirements.
Tuscan
Tuscan House Plans of today draw inspiration from the charming Italian countryside, with their warm red terracotta tile rooftops, tall arched windows, and rustic wooden shutters. The walls can be constructed using stucco or stone, while the interior boasts impressive exposed ceiling beams. These plans offer ample kitchen space to accommodate even the most enthusiastic cook and a large gathering of friends and family. Additionally, the outdoor loggias and courtyards provide an inviting setting for guests to enjoy outdoor festivities. Most online collections feature a range of country homes and idyllic villas that capture the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of Tuscan culture amidst its picturesque landscape.
Victorian
Victorian home plans originated in the 19th century during Queen Victoria’s reign over the British Empire. These architectural designs made their way to the United States in the late 19th century and have since become a popular choice in residential housing. Characterized by elaborate facades, slate roofs, sash windows, iron railings, and wrap-around porches, Victorian homes offer a unique aesthetic. They are typically spacious and provide ample room for additional amenities, making them an attractive option for homeowners seeking versatile floor plans.