House Styles & Architectural Designs What style is my house? View the variety of styles below of the most popular housing styles in North America.			USLegalForms Find out what real estate contracts are required in your state.
Antebellum: 1815-1861
	The word "antebellum" is Latin, "ante" meaning before and "bellum" meaning war. Antebellum Architecture refers to elegant plantation homes in the South before the Civil War and after the War of 1812, the years 1815-1861. Antebellum is not an architectural term, but refers to a period in time. Most Antebellum homes are grand and boxy, with center entrances in the front and rear, large balconies, and columns or pillars. They could be Greek Revival, Classical Revival, or Federal style.
Bungalow: 1905-1930
	A small, one-story home often with a prominent front verandah.
Cape Cod Style: 1600s - 1950s
	The Cape Cod style originated in colonial New England. It was a was a simple, one-story structure with a single chimney in the center. A residence with 1, 1.5 or 1.75 levels of living area which is characterized by a steep roof slope and may have dormers.
Classical Architecture
	This style architecture describes buildings that are inspired by the classical architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The shape is symmetrical and the building will have tall columns that are nearly the same height as the building.
Colonial: 1690s - 1830
	The American Colonial style home is a combination of styles brought over by the European Colonists. These homes were usually white or un-painted, with a door in the direct center of the front of the home. Also called a Georgian Colonial, these homes were often spacious and comfortable. The architecture reflected the rising ambition of a new country.
Contemporary
	The Contemporary style appeared in the 50's, 60's and 70's when designers expressed artistic freedom in their designs. Common characteristics are simple, clean lines with large windows, and flat or gabled roofs. Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for expressing his artistic style using a contemporary style of architecture.
Cottage
	A small, single-story house or bungalow usually one bedroom and one bathroom.
Dutch Colonial Revival
	Based on the style of housed built by the Dutch settlers on New Amsterdam (New York) in the 1600s, the Dutch Colonial was popular between 1900 and World War II. A common characteristic is the gambrel roof (i.e., a curving roof with a shape similar to a barn roof)
English Tudor Style
	The English Tudor style home refers to a period in England's history when the Tudor family came to the throne. Henry VIII is the most famous tudor king. You can see many Tudor houses in England today and some of them are over 500 years old. These homes often appear Medieval and rustic. This style is sometimes called Medieval Revival. The Tudor homes come in a variety of shapes and sizes from the modest suburban home to the elborate mansion. This modest English Tudor home has decorative brick and stonework which is characteristic of the medieval tudor. English Tudor Features: Striking decorative half-timbering—exposed wood framing with spaces between them filled with stucco, brick, or stone. Prominent cross gables—roof gables located on both the front and sides Tall, narrow windows Small window panes Steeply pitched roof Massive chimneys, often topped with decorative chimney pots It may even have an imitation thatched roof—a roof made of plant material
European Style
	European style homes have an elegant, distinguished style. They have large floorplans and stucco, brick, or stone exterior facades.
Neocolonial Style
	"New Colonial" - This modern-day house gets its Colonial beginnings but adds all the modern comforts for contemporary living. Common in a Neocolonial home is a entry hall, a portico (small covered porch), great room or other large living area and complicated roof lines with dormers and cross gables.
Tuscan Style
	A Tuscan style home features a stone or stucco exterior and a low pitched roof with barrel tiles. They will also have arched windows, raised entrances and a featured courtyard for outdoor living. The interior design will always have an open floorplan. These homes may be a modest 1800 sq feet to a palatial 10,000 sq ft.
Victorian Style
	Victorian Style Homes refer to a architectural style during the period in which Queen Victoria ruled Britain which is 1837 to 1901. During this time, industrialization brought many innovations in architecture. Victorian Features: Steeply pitched roof of irregular shape, usually with dominant front-facing gable Textured shingles or other textured surfaces to avoid smooth-walled appearances Asymmetrical porch, usually one story high and extended along one or both side walls Asymmetrical front Towering spires Intricate woodwork Unconventional House Plans Excess of everything There are several Victorian House Styles such as the Gothic Revival, the Italiante, the Queen Anne, Stick Victorian Style, Second Empire Victorian Style, the Exotic, the Romanesque Revival, Shingle Style, Folk Victorian and the Colonial Revival.