House Styles, Designs, and Types

Every house, no matter how plain, has a style. Style comes in part from ornamental details like columns and moldings and in part from structural features, such as the placement of the windows and the pitch of the roof. Yet, identifying that style can be a baffling process. Is it Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean? Art Moderne or Art Deco? And, what about the newly constructed home that seems to break all the “rules”?

Relax! Most houses do not fit precisely into any one category. Older homes may have gone through many renovations, taking on the features of several different architectural trends. Newer homes often combine ideas from a variety of styles and historic periods. So, when you talk about the architecture of your listings, you are painting them with broad strokes, capturing important themes, and highlighting the details that give those homes character, a sense of history, and, perhaps, an air of romance.

Fortunately, you don’t need to memorize a lot of complicated architectural terminology. Instead, begin by closely observing a few key characteristics. This simple checklist identifies standout features to look for. Although there are no pat answers, each of these features suggests styles to consider.

1. What shape is the house, overall?

Rectangular and symmetrical: National, Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Italianate
Square and box-like: American Foursquare
L-shaped: Folk and National styles
Complicated and asymmetrical: Queen Anne and other Victorian styles, Chateauesque
Rounded corners: Pueblo, Art Moderne
Single story or 1½ story: Cape Cod, Ranch, Craftsman, Cottage styles

2. Does the roof have any of these features?
Unusually steep pitch: Gothic Revival and other Victorian styles, Tudor
Unusually low pitch: Craftsman, Prairie, Ranch, Monterey, and Spanish styles
Flat: Italianate, Beaux Arts, Pueblo, Mediterranean, and Modernistic
Gambrel: Dutch Colonial
Mansard: Second Empire and other French-inspired styles
Hipped: American Foursquare, Colonial styles, Victorian styles
Salt box: Colonial
Flared eaves: French styles, Craftsman, Prairie
Round towers: Queen Anne, Romanesque, Chateauesque, French styles
Cupolas: Italianate, Greek Revival, Second Empire
Rounded parapets: Mission

3. Is the house sided with any of these materials?
Adobe: Pueblo, Monterey, Spanish Colonial Revival
Stucco: Mission, Tudor, Spanish styles
Rough stone: Romanesque
Patterned wood shingles: Victorian styles
Half-timbering: Tudor, Stick, Queen Anne
Cedar shingles: Victorian Shingle, Craftsman, Tudor

4. Does the house have any of these window types?
Multi-paned: Adam, Georgian, Neoclassical
Diamond-paned: Tudor, Prairie
Palladian: Adam, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical
Round or elliptical: Adam, Neoclassical
Oriel: Tudor, Gothic Revival, Chateauesque
Casement: Tudor, Craftsman, Dutch Colonial, Spanish styles, modern styles
Pointed: Gothic Revival
Rounded with “eyebrow” hoods: Italianate
Fanlights: Adam, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival

5. Do you notice any of these details?
Dentil moldings: Georgian, Adam, Colonial styles
Garlands or floral ornaments: Federal, Adam, Beaux Arts
Turned spindles: Queen Anne, Carpenter Gothic, Folk Victorian
Zigzags or chevrons: Art Deco
Shutters: Cape Cod and other Colonial styles
Round, fluted columns: Greek Revival, Adam, Neoclassical, Beaux Arts
Square or trapezoid porch supports: Craftsman, Prairie, Mission, American Foursquare
Little or no ornamentation: National and Folk styles, Cape Cod, Ranch, Modern styles

Describe Your Listing

As you answer these questions, certain patterns may emerge. Perhaps your listing has features that are commonly found on Neoclassical or Victorian-era homes. With this information, you can begin to prepare a helpful and inviting architectural profile that could help you sell the house.

There are many reference works, both in print and online, to guide you. I’ve noted a few of my favorites below. However, even if the particular style eludes you, you still can discuss stylistic influences. Phrases like “Craftsman inspired,” “Queen Anne flourishes,” “French accents,” and “Tudor detailing” will help buyers visualize and appreciate the special characteristics of your listing.

Learn More

REALTOR® Magazine Online’s Architecture Guide
You’ll find descriptions and illustrations for the most common residential housing styles. This handy resource also includes an illustrated glossary of important architectural features such as roof styles and window types.

A Field Guide to American Houses
By Virginia and Lee McAlester. With more than 500 black and white photos and drawings, this hefty paperback includes many hard-to-identify styles not covered in other resources.

The Houses We Live in: An Identification Guide to the History and Style of American Domestic Architecture
By Jeffery W. Howe (Editor). Glossy color photos and line illustrations give a comprehensive survey of American house styles from Colonial to Contemporary.

Jackie Craven is a freelance writer who covers architecture and home design for About.com and other publications.