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Types of mansions styles


10 Different Types of Mansions

Here's everything you need to know about mansions including their several different types with varying styles. Get to know the extra features and amenities you'll find in a mansion.

If you like to look at houses in your neighborhood, the chances are that you have spotted a house or two that is so big it has to be a mansion.

Most of the mansions we see today are modern and were built within the last 60 years. I was curious about what different types of mansions there are, so I thought I would research this topic.

Throughout the centuries, mansions have had different types, including Colonial, Neoclassical, Cape Cod, and Italianate or American-style mansions. Many mansions were built hundreds of years ago, and modern mansion styles take most of their inspiration from the beauty of the original mansions.

A mansion is considered a large and imposing house. There are various styles of mansions across the world. Some homes are called mansions but aren’t genuine mansions in every sense of the word.

While its actual mansions are all big, the idea of what can be called a mansion is different for everyone. I will share the information I found about different types of mansions.

What Kind Of House Is Considered A Mansion?

When we think about mansions, the first thing we think of is size. Mansions have more to them than size. When it comes to dimensions, there is no actual predetermined size that makes a house a mansion, but the consensus for most realtors is that houses between 5000 – 8000 square feet are generally considered mansions.

Mansion Rooms Compared To Regular House Rooms

Typically the difference between traditional large houses and mansions is not just in size but functions of the different rooms. There are around four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms in typical large homes as a living room and family room.

Mansions typically have more bedrooms, and they are bigger than the bedrooms of traditional large homes. Most of them have bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Mansions have dedicated rooms with a specific purpose, like, theatres, gyms, and libraries.

Mansions Always Have Extra Amenities

Mansions almost always have unique amenities that come with each home. Some of these amenities include:

Greenhouses And Libraries

Older mansions built over a hundred years ago had amenities that were popular for homes to have at the time and included things like libraries, greenhouses, and conservatories. The modern-day leisure amenities include large spas, high-tech media rooms, home theatre systems, gyms, and even high-security safe rooms that are the modern-day standard.

Lounges And Ballrooms

Older mansions had Ballrooms, lounges, billiard rooms, and salons that were all the rage over a hundred years ago. Modern mansions have feature rooms like game rooms, extensive studies or offices, specialty bars, and swimming pools with added cabanas to accommodate guests. These mansions can have up to 3 kitchens.

Using The Best Construction Materials Available

Regardless of the age of mansions, they are built from the best available materials. Older mansions were built with brick, stone, and plaster. In the modern-day construction of mansions, the desired features include sustainable building materials, elaborate security systems, and innovative home features.

Extensive Outdoor Features And Areas

Older mansions had extensive outdoor features that included horse stables, large elaborate gardens, and much more. Modern-day mansions have extensive outdoor areas like fire pits, hiking trails, guest houses, and expansive garages.

Different Types Of Mansions

There are several different types of mansions built in varying styles. We will look at each type in closer detail.

1. Cape Cod Mansions

Cape Cod mansions originated in New England in the 1600s and were inspired by British thatched cottages. These beautiful mansions have steep roofs with large chimneys to help better withstand the cold Northeastern winters. Cape Cod mansions are broad, low, single-story frame buildings.

There Are Two Types Of Cape Cod Mansion Styles

The originals were built between the 1600s and late 1800s. These original mansions were built with a single story to center around the warmth of the hearth. These were initially modest homes, but huge Cape Cod mansions soon followed as the style became more popular.

The modern version of the Cape Cod mansion falls into three versions of the original Cape Cod, the full Cape, the half Cape, and the three-quarter Cape. These modern-day versions of the Cape Cod mansions sometimes have multiple stories but still, have shingle-clad exteriors with steep rooftops and symmetrical features.

Cape Cod mansions often feature two steeped roof buildings bound in the middle by a flat roof section. They have lots of large windows that let in tons of natural light and help warm the whole house up.

These modern-day mansions offer six to eight bedrooms with double the number of bathrooms and beautiful amenities like swimming pools, guest cottages, and much more.

2. The Georgian Mansion

The Georgian mansion style originated in the 1700s in New England and was inspired by the Italian Renaissance era. The Georgian style grew in popularity until the 1780s.

These homes were typically made with little embellishment. They have multiple windows symmetrically located at the front of the house to enhance the natural light.

The multiple windows are usually situated five across and have shutters. The style relies on a symmetrical box shape, and it typically features a plain brick build. The Georgian mansion style was used for big plantation houses and homes of wealthy tobacco farmers.

It became popular to use the Georgian mansion style for the home and design elaborate landscapes and outdoor buildings to enhance its overall aesthetics. One famous example of a Georgian-style mansion is Stowe House in Buckinghamshire.

Modern-day Georgian mansions have the same plain features as the classic buildings, with a few modern touches like giant columns to enhance the front door. They can feature between 6-10 bedrooms and sometimes more, with huge walk-in closets and other stunning amenities.

3. The Colonial Mansion

They are called Colonial mansions because the United States was a British colony at the time. Colonial-style homes are some of the most recognizable mansions in America.

These beautiful homes have influences from European, English, and Spanish-style homes and were first introduced to America by the Europeans in the late 1600s.

The colonial mansion became popular in America during the early 1700s and 1900s.

There are several mansion and home types that fall under the Colonial style. Here are some of the styles that morphed out of the classic Colonial mansion.

There are many different types of colonial mansion styles. Here are six other styles of Colonial mansions.

a. The British Colonial

The British Colonial is probably the most popular of all the Colonial-style houses in America. These houses were originally built by the British settlers that came to America, and they were constructed out of wood. These houses have a simplistic design and usually have two stories with a fireplace in the middle of the house.

The standard British Colonial usually had diamond-shaped, lead-paned windows, and the side-gabled steep roof had overlapping shingles that helped keep the rain and snow out of the house.

b. The Dutch Colonial

The most distinct feature that these huge homes have in common is the gambrel roof that the Dutch settlers introduced to the United States when they first settled here. The other features that make the Dutch colonials stand out are the single dormers with three windows. Some of the houses don’t have dormers at all.

The outside of these big Dutch homes was just as unique, with shingle siding and had round windows and pillars on the porch. The homes are made of brick and mortar, have symmetrical sides, twin chimneys at opposite sides of the home, and split doors.

c. The German Colonial

The German colonial mansions were introduced to America at the same time as the British Colonial homes. These homes have a very similar look, but the German Colonials have unique features that distinguish them from the British Colonial.

These features include the material made from sandstone and not wood as the British Colonial was made of and the window casement. The German Colonial has windows that are symmetrically located at the sides of the home, with tiny arches above each window.

The other features of the German Colonial include thick walls insulated against the cold and the gabled roof.

d. The Spanish Colonial

The original Spanish Colonial style has its origins in Spain and Mexico. These homes look similar to the American-style Ranch homes with multiple doors and several small windows. They have only one floor, and the windows were designed to stay open as it gets scorching in these areas, and the open windows help circulate the air cooling the mansions off.

They were built from stucco-clad walls, and one of the most notable features of the Spanish Colonials that we still see in modern-day versions of these mansions are the big inner courtyards. They also have flat, pitched roofs and have thatched or clay tiles.

e. The French Colonial

The French Colonial mansions are found more in the Southern parts of the United States than the German, Dutch, and British Colonial homes that were more prominently built in the North. The French settlers brought their unique flavor to the typical Colonial style.

These mansions included multiple doors and windows to let cool the house off, and these doors were used to access the different parts of the home rather than using the staircases inside the home. These homes typically had two floors and wrap-around porches on both floors.

The bottom floor was used for leisure activities and other household functions, while the top floor was used mainly as the living area. These homes were mainly constructed using a mix of brick, wood, animal hair, and mud.

f. The Colonial Revival

The Colonial Revival mansions originated in America in the early 1800s, the height of the industrial revolution. These homes were a tribute to the early settlers and ended up being style blends of all the different Colonial styles; the main style that can prominently be seen, though, is the Georgian style.

These mansions were home to the elite members of society and were seen as a sign of a family’s wealth to own one. The Colonial Revivals have multiple-pane bay windows with shutters and decorative handmade moldings on the ceilings. They had rectangular-shaped, medium-pitched gabled roofs and were symmetrically shaped.

They had brick or wood sidings, stunning decorative shutters, elaborate pillars, columns, and entrances that were the norm for these homes.

g. The Modern-Day Colonial Mansion

The modern-day Colonial mansions take their inspiration from a mix of the other colonial styles but still have features that are widely associated with traditional Colonial houses, such as the home centers around the kitchen and den; there are detailed fireplaces in rooms adorned with expensive crown moldings, large staircases, and elegant entrances.

These mansions have enough rooms for a large family and several guests and feature amenities like indoor pools, detailed basements, and other recreational rooms.

4. The Victorian Mansion

Victorian Mansions are referred to as such because they were all built during the reign of Queen Victoria. These homes were huge two to three-floor homes.

They had rather large rooms with elaborate detailing in the bedrooms and reception rooms. They usually had tiled floors and running water (an unseen luxury for most homes at the time).

Some of the Victorian mansions had gingerbread trim painted white, and there aren’t very many of these older Victorian mansions left in America. Modern-day Victorian-style mansions have some of the original Victorian features like the detailed terraces and hand-carved railings.

5. McMansions

These are not what you would call authentic mansions. They are large mass-produced homes that have the space of mansions, but all look the same.

They are marketed to middle-class and upper-class families and started to pop up around America after 1970. These McMansions might be built to look fabulous but don’t hold to the style and originality of authentic mansions.

They have large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and amenities, but some of the outer and inner features don’t match the home’s overall aesthetics. Often these homes are built in a cookie-cutter fashion, and architects are rarely used to design the homes, so the features don’t exude the authentic feel and look of proper mansions.

These homes usually come with a small plot of land that you share with a neighbor and feature outdoor amenities like swimming pools. The disproportionate size of the homes to the small plot of land they are built on usually makes these homes look out of place.

6. The Craftsman Mansion

The Craftsman mansions and homes were introduced to the American public when the Industrial Revolution took off. The idea of cookie-cutter-style fast-built homes was taking root. It had a significant impact on hard-working laborers, and some people fought against these cheaply made homes.

It was the start of the Arts and Crafts movement heavily promoted by a man named Gustave Stickley. He started the popular The Craftsman magazine, wherein he shared home styles and building plans that were plain, and simple, and made use of quality local materials and labor.

These houses grew in popularity and eventually size, creating more mansions coined Craftsman. These mansions had huge porches and over-extended eaves that covered the porches from rain and too much sun. They had thick columns around the home’s perimeter, and wood, stucco, or stone was used to construct these homes.

The homes were usually painted or built to incorporate neutral tones like beige and brown. The interior of these mansions was just as unique as the outside and had features like window seats, built-in bookshelves, and a few fireplaces.

7. Italianate Mansions

These stunning mansions had their beginning in the mid-late 1800s. These homes had the overall theme of ornamentation, not structure.

They were loosely modeled after Italian villas but became so popular in America that they are sometimes called the American style. Their box frames and embellished cornices, doorways, and entrances make these homes easily recognizable.

They have a simple shape and usually feature two or more floors. They have gently sloped roofs with deep overhanging eaves that are usually supported by corbels or brackets that are heavily decorated. There is usually one entrance with double doors. They have long, thin windows that are rounded at the top and usually spaced in sets of threes.

These mansions are typically constructed using bricks, stucco, and stone as building materials. The last distinguishing feature of these homes is a square cupola situated in the middle just above the roofline.

8. The Mediterranean Mansions

The Mediterranean mansions became hugely popular between 1918 – 1940. They were modeled after the hacienda-style homes found in the Mediterranean.

They often feature some of the original design elements like the roof tiles and red color, the carved heavy wooden doors, and elaborate decoration.

They are also noted to have lots of arches and multi-colored tiles throughout the house. They have elaborate raw iron and metalwork that adorn the windows, doors, and balconies. They have red tube-shaped tiles that are usually terracotta.

9. Neoclassical Mansions

The Neoclassical mansions were popular in the early 20th century and drew most of their inspiration from classic Roman and Greek architecture. Some of the most famous governmental buildings were built in the Neoclassic style.

The style exudes wealth, and one of the first famous people in American history, Thomas Jefferson, owned a Neoclassic mansion, the Monticello.

The most common features that these mansions have in common are the grandiose size, dramatic columns, use of simple geometric shapes. They also have either domed or flat roofs, depending on the style and the use of Doric Greek or Roman detailing.

There are three types of Neoclassic styles:

Palladian Style

The Palladian-style Neoclassic mansions were inspired by the Renaissance area. These massive buildings were created to look like Roman temples with their wide columns and imposing size. One of the most famous Palladian Style buildings is the Capitol Building in America. This building was the realization of Thomas Jefferson, who loved the style.

These buildings were inspired by the famous works of Renaissance artist Andrea Palladio. He loved the look and symmetrical style of buildings like the Parthenon Building in Athens, Greece.

Temple-Style

There are mansions created in the style of Ancient Greece all over the world. They were inspired by the buildings that were Ancient Greek Temples.

They all had big blocks built with flat or rectangular rooftops and were adorned with many columns and embellished carvings. One of the most recognizable buildings that were inspired by the Greek Temples is the British Museum.

Classic Block

This style has vast rectangular buildings emphasized by their many arched openings or windows. The mansions in this style have multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. The stately and imposing entrances are standard features of this style of Neoclassical style.

These mansions were divided into multiple levels and the exterior designs repeated in each level. This particular style was used in many government buildings from around the world. Some mansions have since been divided into significant apartment buildings, but the original style was left intact.

10. English Country Mansion

These were the classic mansions we read about in romantic and classic novels. These exceptional mansions are set in the English countryside and were home to the wealthiest members of Europe. They were usually situated on great plots of land with tons of indoor and outdoor amenities.  Many of these gargantuan homes had intricate mansion layouts with many, many rooms.

Primarily used as an entertainment house, the classic English country mansion was built with up to 12 bedrooms and bathrooms, with a vast number of staff members to keep up with the maintenance of the mansion. English Mansions or manors weren’t always occupied throughout the year by the owners.

The owners of these homes usually had city dwellings, only on a smaller scale. They used these country homes as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Usually, the style of these manors was very symmetrical, with wide arches and many windows on all levels. They had multiple floors built with quality materials like stone and brick.

There are still some of these stately homes today. Many mansions built in this style are smaller in scale but still exude the stunning look of the original manors. Sadly with the agricultural depression from 1880 to 1885, some of these beautiful manors were demolished by their owners.

The owners were forced to sell expensive features like fireplaces and other decorative pieces. They could no longer afford the upkeep as it took a vast number of staff members to maintain these manors. Some of the classic English mansions were home to royal descendants, and these mansions were passed down through the generations.

References:

26 Architectural House Styles That Built America

House styles have evolved for centuries to accommodate changes in taste, lifestyle, and environment. Exploring the house styles that create American neighborhoods allows you to envision your dream home and know exactly what you’re looking for before you’re ready to buy.

Understanding the foundation of your home’s design can also help you plan your decor and landscaping — making a house your home.

Learn more about the history of home design and choose your ideal architectural style before you move.

You can view the full infographic here or read on below to learn about the most popular American house styles.

1. Colonial Style

Colonial-style houses are simple rectangular homes that became popular in the 1600s as colonists settled the East Coast. These homes have many variations due to the fact that new communities all over the world built Colonial-style homes to suit their culture.

British Colonial style is the most common and recognizable Colonial home. Its key features include:

The rectangular shape and interest in symmetry are seen in other Colonial house styles, too. Materials and decorative features can vary by region, as some Colonial houses sport brick exteriors and ornate trim, while others showcase shingle siding and simple shutters.

These are also some of the cheapest types of houses to build.

2. Cape Cod Style

Cape Cod homes are similar to the British or American Colonial homes, though they originated further north in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. These are often seen as the classic American family home since the style’s revival in the 20th Century.

Cape Cod homes are identified by their:

Cape Cod homes are built of local wood and stone to withstand the north-eastern weather. This exterior weathering provides an iconic weathered-blue color to these homes.

3.  Dutch Colonial Revival Style

Most Dutch Colonial homes you find today are actually from the Colonial Revival period of the early 20th Century. Original Dutch Colonial homes feature flared roof eaves and creative wood and brickwork. They are much more ornamental than classic Colonial homes, though the Dutch Colonial Revival style tends to be more subdued than the original Dutch Colonial homes.

Dutch Colonial Revival houses feature:

The large barn-style roofs are the most identifiable feature of a Dutch Colonial home and even became known as “Dutch roofs.”

4. Federal Colonial Style

Federal-style homes became popular after the American Revolution and were a refined upgrade to the popular Georgian house style. They have the same recurring shape and symmetry as other Colonial house styles, but their delicate ornamentation sets them apart.

Federal Colonial homes often feature:

The elliptical fanlights and paladin windows are key distinguishing features from Georgian-style homes.

5. French Colonial Style

The French Colonial house style can be seen around the world and has significant variety among its sub-styles.

French Colonial houses have the same symmetry as other Colonial homes with these distinct features:

French Colonial houses are most similar to Spanish Colonial houses and easily identified by their elaborate iron balconies, stairs, and entrances.

6. Georgian Style

Georgian-style homes were one of the most common styles in the 18th century and showcased formal and classical details that previous homes didn’t. Georgian houses are similar to Federal houses, though they can be distinguished by:

You can also find regional variations with hooded front doors and pent roofs between levels.

7. Contemporary Style

Contemporary homes resemble the modern homes of the mid-20th century with a renewed emphasis on sustainability. Current contemporary styles are rooted in minimalism, which you can see in these key features:

Contemporary homes aim to find beauty in a simple and appealing design with ties to nature and more warmth than modern home styles offer.

8. Cottage Style

Cottage-style homes are often quaint and cozy — emphasizing charm and comfort over ornamentation. Cottage houses come in a variety of styles and can mimic bungalows, Tudor house styles, and more.

Look for these designs to identify a cottage:

A cottage house style is extremely versatile, and its small size makes it great for small families or guest houses.

9. Craftsman Style

There was a renewed interest in handcrafted art and design following the industrial revolution. This became the “Arts and Crafts” era and paved the way for the Craftsman home, or “arts and crafts” home.

Craftsman homes focus on simplicity to counter the ornate stylings of Victorian homes. They’re also designed to highlight the craftsmanship of its builders and include:

Craftsman homes are favored for their character and are another versatile style that may borrow common elements from other home styles.

10. Farmhouse Style

The American Farmhouse is a simple and timeless style. Farmhouses are designed to be practical first and foremost. They’re common across the US and often showcase regional variations, like wrap-around porches in the South.

Farmhouses have evolved with time and location, but often feature these elements:

Of course, the easiest way to identify a farmhouse is that they’ll often be situated on a large plot of farmland.

11. French Country Style

A French Country home has a rustic yet upscale charm. French Country architecture is designed after French chateaus and became popular with American soldiers returning from World War I.

French Country homes offer a unique house style featuring:

French Country homes are designed with their environment in mind. They often feature neutral colors with soft, nature-inspired pops of color like sunshine yellows and grass greens.

12. Greek Revival Style

Around the 1820s, Americans experienced a renewed interest in classic Greek and Roman culture. This cultural shift was a natural fit for architects, who brought the Greek Revival house style to life.

Greek Revival architecture became popular in homes as well as businesses, banks, and churches. Prominent features include:

Greek Revival homes often have decorative trim and moulding around the front door and windows. These ornate features and columns are easy ways to identify Greek Revival architecture.

13. Mediterranean Style

Mediterranean home styles are made of stucco, so they’re most common in warm climate states like Arizona and California. These homes grew in popularity in the 1920s and ‘30s after being featured as homes for the rich and famous on the silver screen.

Mediterranean-style homes include Spanish and Italian architectural elements. These key features make them easy to spot:

Mediterranean homes still carry the feelings of class and luxury they were built with over 100 years ago, with an added element of history and charm.

14. Modern Style 

Modern home design became popular in the early 20th century and has a heavy influence on today’s contemporary designs. The core of modern designs can be seen in their:

These styles attempt to connect with nature through minimalism and fluid design between outdoor and indoor spaces. Modern house styles branch into a few key sub-styles.

15. Mid-century Modern Style

Mid-century Modern designs are nothing new and have influenced interior design, graphic art, and house styles. Mid-century Modern homes are designed to embrace minimalism and nature. They’re also often modeled to appeal to a futuristic or abstract concept.

Mid-century Modern homes can be identified by their:

Mid-century architecture is still widely popular today, as are Mid-century Modern interior design and furniture trends.

16. Prairie Style

Prairie-style homes were made famous by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. These homes celebrate and complement the natural beauty of the Midwestern landscape with low and long shapes in the floor plan and building elements.

Prairie-style houses showcase:

Prairie houses inspired the flat planes and natural elements popular in Mid-century houses.

17. Pueblo Revival Style

The Pueblo Revival was inspired by the indigenous Pueblo people’s architecture in the Southwestern US. Pueblo homes were made of adobe or stucco and designed to handle the extreme temperatures of the desert.

Architects in California began to explore the Pueblo style in the late 19th century and the Pueblo Revival style spread across New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.

The Pueblo Revival hit its peak in the 1930s in Santa Fe, and these Pueblo-style elements are still popular in the Southwest:

The Pueblo Revival style is also commonly called Adobe or Santa Fe style architecture.

18. Ranch Style

Ranch house styles are the most searched style in the US today and are common in cities and suburbs across the country. There are various ranch house styles, including California and split-level ranch homes. The main distinguishing features between these styles are living space and home layout.

Ranch style homes feature:

Ranch homes are the most popular homes in 34 US states — particularly in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

19. Townhouse Style

Townhomes are common in cities and densely populated neighborhoods. Townhouses are tall and narrow homes designed to make the most out of vertical space without too much of a yard or garden area.

Homes are considered townhouses when they:

Townhouses can be built to mimic other architecture styles, like Italianate and Greek Revival, while maintaining the condensed, vertical floor plan.

20. Tudor Revival Style

Modern Tudor homes are inspired by Medieval European Tudor homes and often have a charming cottage aesthetic. They’re popular on the East Coast and in parts of the Midwest.

Tudor homes are an easy style to identify. They feature:

The Tudor Revival reached peak popularity in the 1920s and is still widely popular today.

21. Victorian Style

Victorian homes were built between 1837 and 1901 while Queen Victoria reigned in Britain. “Victorian” actually refers to multiple styles that vary in influence, but each features ornate detailing and asymmetrical floor plans.

The key features of a Victorian-era home include:

Victorian homes are all about ornamentation — industrialization allowed these homes to be produced en masse and across a variety of architectural styles.

22. Gothic Revival Style

Gothic Revival architecture grew in the mid-19th century and was one of the early styles of Victorian-era homes. The Gothic Revival style takes influence from Medieval Europe and was designed as a country home. Architects believed the asymmetrical design and ornamentation complemented the nature of rural America.

Gothic Revival homes can be identified by their:

Gothic Revival architecture was a popular style for schools and churches as well as rural homes.

23. Italianate Style

Italianate architecture continues the trend of asymmetrical design, romanticism, and Medieval influence — this time borrowing features from Medieval Italy. Italianate style is common up and down the East Coast and peaked in popularity between 1850 and 1880.

Italianate architecture features:

Pattern books were becoming a popular way for craftsmen to build homes in different styles. This flexibility meant Italianate features were accessible for a variety of homes including large estates and urban townhouses.

24. Queen Anne Style

Queen Anne homes were popularized in the later Victorian era, beginning around 1880. This style is the quintessential Victorian home for many, with ornate woodworking and decor inside and out.

Queen Anne homes have key regional differences across the country, but maintain these essentials:

Queen Anne architecture is most common in homes, but can also be seen in schools, churches, and office buildings.

25. Second Empire

Second Empire homes were a modern Victorian-era style that started in France before spreading through the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. Second Empire architecture features similar ornate Victorian trends, though generally offers a simplified Victorian aesthetic.

These elements help identify a Second Empire home:

Second Empire homes are also easy to identify since they’re the only Victorian-era style that often features a symmetrical, rectangular floor plan.

26.  Shingle Style

Shingle-style homes took influence from Colonial architecture rather than Medieval Europe. Ornamentation became simpler towards the end of the Victorian-era and Shingle-style homes are best known for their creative floor plans and signature shingles on exterior walls.

Shingle Victorian homes are identified by these interior and exterior features:

Shingle-style houses were designed as a work of art and encouraged creativity in their use of shapes and features.

House styles will continue to evolve with influences from history, culture, and our lifestyles. Choose the style that fits your lifestyle, location, and, of course, personal style best. Then check your credit score, get pre-approved, and start house-hunting.

Happy homebuying!

Get pre-approved for a mortgage today.

19 architectural styles of private houses with names and features

There are several dozens of architectural styles of houses on the construction market: from avant-garde to modern processing of classics. Each project contains elements of non-standard architectural solutions that allow houses to stand out against the general background. The choice of style depends on the local climate, budget, individual preferences of the future owners of the house and their ideas about comfort.

Contents

Scandinavian style

The style is functional, full of natural light and stylish practicality while maintaining comfort. Scandinavian architecture helps to stay close to nature even in urban environments. The style is dominated by simplicity and conciseness.

The architectural direction arose in countries with a harsh climate similar to Russia - Denmark, Sweden, Norway. The facade is made of wood. The skin is treated with protective compounds to preserve the natural structure of the material. A characteristic feature of the buildings: a large porch, a terrace, gable roofs with a steep slope with an asymmetric or classical shape, large windows or panoramic windows.

Wooden window frames or double-glazed windows with a wood-like finish are desirable. The roof is covered with polymeric materials or metal tiles. The buildings are distinguished by soft natural shades: terracotta, dark green, gray, brown.

Hi-tech

This direction involves the use of modern materials and stylization of the project as an industrial building. Practical and comfortable style was born in 1970. Architectural objects of this direction have metal frames with glass enclosing structures.

Most of the projects involve the removal of utilities to the facade of the house. Distinctive features of the architectural direction: an abundance of metal structures, simple, clear lines, flat roofs with dark roofing, large windows.

Victorian architecture

The style originated between 1830 and 1910 during the reign of Queen Victoria. Key Features: Dollhouse effect, thoughtful finishes, steep tiled mansard roof, asymmetrical shape, porch, bright saturated colors, pillared balconies, majestic towers and turrets, ornate railings.

Victorian houses are usually two-story compact buildings with intricate decor and multi-stage sloping roofs, often decorated with spiers. The stylistic direction originated in Great Britain and spread not only within the country, but also to the English colonies. Houses in this architectural style are distinguished by an asymmetrical facade. For decoration within the framework of the stylistic direction, plaster, siding, brick are used.

Japanese style

The architecture of the Land of the Rising Sun is the result of the centuries-old war of the Japanese with nature. The main features of the style were borrowed from the Chinese.

The basic architectural elements of the Japanese style are not determined by fashion trends, but by vital necessity. Both in antiquity and now, the main principle of architecture is the unity of buildings and the surrounding nature. Functionality is a priority, while aesthetics fade into the background. Characteristic features of Japanese houses: a small amount of decor, practicality and rationalism.

Japan used to build houses out of wood and rice paper. Today, fiber cement boards and ceramic siding are used. A feature of the Japanese style is a terrace with plank flooring. For greater authenticity, the terrace is decorated with container gardening.

American style

The style is an adaptive variation of a pre-existing European architectural trend. From the desire of the first settlers to demonstrate the scale and richness of the house, there was a need to create not modest dwellings, but a whole architectural complex.

The style is distinguished by a minimum of relief details, a predominance of straight lines, symmetry, light calm colors, many windows, horizontal extension, an asymmetric roof. Currently, this stylistic direction is a mixture of architectural styles. General concept: to build a spacious comfortable house where everyone will feel comfortable. Usually this is a frame one-two-story house with a low foundation with a veranda or a spacious porch.

Country style

The main features of the country style are naturalness and simplicity. The direction reflects the folk traditions of their country, is distinguished by deliberate rudeness, proximity to nature.

The rustic-style building looks authentic, natural materials (stone, wood) and natural shades are used in the exterior. Usually a house in this style is built with a veranda or a massive porch. If the building has two floors, a spacious balcony is built over the porch, in harmony with the general style of the facade. Characteristic features of the Russian rural style: log walls, windows with carved platbands.

Wright Style

The style originated in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The ancestor of the direction was the architect Frank Lloyd Wright . Wright's style is also known as Prairie Style .

Wright advocated purity and simplicity of lines, a building whose exterior is integrated into the surrounding landscape. Prairie-style houses blend in seamlessly with the natural setting for a western film. Key features of the style: long horizontal lines, minimalist facade decoration, hipped or flat roofs, glazed galleries.

Chalet

Alpine house style is chosen by those who dream of an atmosphere of security, harmony and tranquility.

The direction spread from the ancient province in the south-east of France. Buildings in this style are adapted to the harsh climate and therefore are best suited for Russia. Today, the chalet is a relevant and sought-after style for functional suburban housing.

Cornerstones of the style: a solid stone foundation and a wooden top, the use of high-quality environmentally friendly materials, a sloping roof with a large angle of inclination, a terrace. Another feature is the multi-level architecture, since the original chalets were mainly built in the mountains and repeated the uneven terrain. For this reason, the chalets fit perfectly into the site with a significant slope. The roof of the shepherd's house uses flexible, ceramic, wooden shingles to preserve authenticity. The modern dwelling of the Alpine shepherds is built in 1-2.5 floors.

German style

This architectural direction is chosen by those who value solidity, simplicity and elegance. The nuances of building facades in the Bavarian or German style: the severity of lines, the lack of redundancy of decorative elements, restrained colors, the use of inexpensive materials.

This style inherits German neatness and order. Despite this, the houses resemble charming fairy-tale houses that have descended from the pages of fairy tales. The German-style building is designed as a square or rectangle with a gable roof.

Walls are painted in white, sand, gray or other discreet colors. The tiled roof is traditionally done in brown or red. The shape of the windows is rectangular or arched, the glazing is divided into several square or rectangular sections, the windows are sometimes complemented by shutters.

English style

Style is a combination of refined taste and restraint. The cornerstones of the architectural direction: symmetrical rectangular plan, red brick walls, low entrance with a portico.

At present, the architecture of an English mansion is dominated by elements characteristic of the architecture of a particular historical era. The key features of the eclectic style are: a roof with a dormer and a steep slope, low-lying windows, walls made of brick or stone.

Fachwerk

The style originated in the 15th century in Germany. The half-timbered house is an example of German quality and practicality. Buildings in this type of architecture suggest the presence of an external frame of vertical, horizontal and diagonal beams.

Style feature: the second floor overhang over the first. The main material of half-timbered houses is wood. Since wooden houses are flammable materials and require antifungal treatment, nowadays half-timbered houses are imitation with polyurethane panels that give the impression of wooden beams.

Gothic style

Gothic houses have their own characteristics: strict geometric shapes, resemblance to a defensive fortress with one to four high towers, pointed roof, elongated lancet windows, stained-glass glazing, modest facade decoration, contrasting combination of roof and wall colors . The building material of Gothic houses is stone or brick. Buildings have at least 3 floors. Gothic-style houses look authentic on the edge of a forest or in a mountainous area.

Baroque

Baroque houses look like miniature palaces. The buildings are distinguished by their monumental appearance, an abundance of stucco work, and an intricately decorated façade, reminiscent of buildings of the late Middle Ages. The baroque style is chosen by fans of classical architecture, connoisseurs of luxury and elegance.

Pilasters, arched windows, embossed cornices, balustrades, a high massive porch, a staircase with railings, decorative cornices under the roof and above the windows are also distinctive characteristics of the architectural trend. The style involves finishing the facade in cream, white, beige, golden, gray tones.

Modern

Extravagant style rethinks the principles of standard architecture. The originality of this design lies in the combination of building materials such as metal and glass, concrete and stone, a combination of asymmetric lines and broken shapes.

The facade of the building looks organic and integral. Projects of houses in the Art Nouveau style are picturesque and meaningful. To create structures, various building materials are used: metal, concrete, natural and artificial stone, tempered glass, as well as polycarbonate, metal tiles can be used for roofing.

Provence

The style of rural houses in the southern French province originated in the 19th century. The architecture of Provence is consonant with those who can see the beauty in everyday life. A characteristic feature of the decor in the Provence style is some negligence and aged materials for the exterior decoration of the facade.

Distinctive features of the style are a high spacious terrace, wrought iron and carved details, wooden shutters and windows, a tiled roof with several slopes, a balcony with columns and balusters, massive doors with metal hinges. Exterior wall decoration is done in light pastel colors. The advantage in the decoration of the facade is given to natural materials: wood and stone, with a small budget they are replaced with high-quality imitation.

Casa Batlló

An example of Art Nouveau architecture from the early 20th century built in 1877. In 1904-1906, the building was completely rebuilt by the brilliant architect Antonio Gaudí. Both the façade and the interiors have been reconstructed.

The building, due to the many design techniques used, stands out for its stylistic heterogeneity and is a real Barcelona landmark. The exterior of the house is distinguished by the decoration of glass mosaics, the predominance of asymmetry, natural motifs, religious symbols, colorful pure colors, balconies with railings in the form of the pelvic bones of the human skeleton. Gaudí radically redesigned the seven-level structure, giving the façade a flowing shape and the roof a silhouette of the curved back of a dragon.

Loft style in architecture

The birthplace of non-standard trends in the interior and exterior design of houses is the USA. Initially, these were factories, warehouses, factories converted into residential premises. Loft objects have an industrial, authentic look.

Architectural style concepts:

Loft-style houses are preferred by creative individuals with a non-standard approach to life. Architectural objects that claim to belong to the Loft are distinguished by extraordinary exteriors, referring to the industrial past.

Minimalism

The classic minimalist home is a small house with a simple symmetrical design. This style direction is characterized by the absence of decorative elements and the maximum simplicity of lines, geometric shapes and natural textures. Style concept: cut off all unnecessary and leave rational.

Basic features of minimalist houses: large window openings, horizontal roof, combination of vertical and horizontal lines. The basic colors of such architectural objects are light, neutral. The geometry of the architectural solution is emphasized in black. Dwellings in a minimalist style are built in one or two floors. Materials used in construction: concrete and glass, natural wooden boards and clinker tiles are used for decoration.

Barnhouse

An architectural style inspired by loft, minimalism and bio-tech. These are the so-called barn houses with one or two floors. Conceptual features of houses in this style:

Barnhouse emphasizes the perception of merging with nature. It is an affordable and inexpensive architectural project with minimalist exterior and exterior finishes. The concept of the stylistic direction reflects the desire for simplicity and respect for nature. Democratic style allows the use of various building materials, depending on the area. Mostly it is wood, but it can also be raw brick, limestone, steel profile.

When choosing the architectural style of the future house, they are guided not only by practicality, but also by beauty, then the building will have individuality. The decision to build a house in the chosen style allows you to choose an architectural solution that suits personal tastes and needs. It is desirable that the style of the exterior finish continued in the interior design.

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Modern architectural styles for private houses

June 02, 2020

. Let's see how the styles of modern architecture for private buildings differ.

English style

Strict and aristocratic English style is the personification of Foggy Albion. It was formed under the influence of two styles at once: Georgian and Regency style. For houses built in the English style, symmetry and conciseness are characteristic. Mandatory features: the same symmetrical windows, paneled doors, red brick walls. English-style houses are necessarily surrounded by lawns or lawns.
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Barnhouse

Barnhouse means barn. The origins of the style lie in the classical form of European and American farm buildings. But a modern barnhouse project is a combination of minimalism, hi-tech and eco-style ideas. Made predominantly from natural materials, the barnhouse-style house has a gable roof, a large glass area and a minimum of partitions inside. Most often, such projects are one-story, although the presence of a basement or attic is also allowed.

Baroque

Baroque is one of the most striking styles in architecture, and in the modern interpretation of the houses in the Baroque style are distinguished by a deliberate abundance of decor on the facade, columns, stucco, the presence of statues in the design. Baroque houses stand out very much in the urban landscape: they look like mini-copies of palaces. The color scheme for this style is characterized by the use of pastel shades and deep red, burgundy or emerald tones.

Dutch style

If you are familiar with the architecture of Dutch towns, you know exactly what a Dutch style project looks like. This is usually a two-story mansion with a narrow gable and an acute-angled pitched roof. Previously, only red brick was used as a wall material in Dutch houses. Today, options are possible from other materials with brick cladding and snow-white trim elements. Another characteristic feature of such houses is large rectangular windows, divided into small squares by a bar. This is a restrained and refined style that combines beauty and reliability.

Deconstructivism

One of the "youngest" architectural styles is deconstructivism. Projects of private houses in this style always look extraordinary, because deconstructivism is characterized by a departure from classical forms, asymmetry, complex architectural forms, sharp corners and a large amount of metal, glass and concrete in the building. Deconstructivist homes are more reminiscent of postmodern art, which explains their growing popularity.

European style

Strict and somewhat conservative European style has absorbed all the main features of the styles of individual countries. The houses of this style use the correct layout, an abundance of rectangular and square shapes. The roof in such houses is necessarily pitched, two- or four-pitched options - the most consistent with the European style. Windows for such projects can be both rectangular and arched, they can be decorated with sprouts. As a decor, plastering is used, lining the basement with stone or brick. The entrance to the house is often made in the form of a portico and a porch.

Italian style

Italian style in architecture is one of the coziest and most comfortable. These are most often two-story mansions with a pitched or flat roof. Windows in such projects are necessarily equipped with shutters. Also, the Italian style is characterized by the presence of a covered terrace, small balconies lined with potted plants. The light colors of the facade and the terracotta tiles of the roof complement the overall image of a cozy family nest.

Country

The name itself betrays the origin of the style: it is architecture made in the tradition of village houses. The first thing that characterizes it is the use of natural traditional materials in construction: rattan and wood, stone or ceramic bricks are required for country music, but metal and glass are at least. Country-style projects are striking in variety, because they can resemble English country estates, American ranches, and Swiss chalets. Another characteristic feature is the fireplace in the living room. In general, this style looks simple, reliable and very comfortable.

Classic

Classic - that's what the classic is for, to combine the most familiar elements to the eye. Houses in the classical style usually have a large area, may consist of several floors. The characteristic features of the classical style are the severity of lines, symmetry, columns and balustrades as decorative elements, high narrow windows and light colors in the decoration. The facade of such a house is usually finished with plaster, it is possible to use forged elements - gratings, gates, fences.

Colonial style

This style combines the features of several directions at once: it is both classical European architecture and individual elements of oriental or African styles. An eclectic look, a large number of wooden elements in the interior and exterior, the use of exotic figurines and images of animals in the design are all signs of the colonial style. In the architecture of colonial-style houses, a large number of arches, columns, and domed ceilings are often used.

Constructivism

Features of constructivism are still preserved in the architecture of Eastern European cities. This is an abundance of concrete, rectangular shapes, conciseness and functionality. In its modern form, constructivism is used for country houses. Such projects have a clear geometric shape, they use panoramic glazing, and the main materials for construction are concrete, metal, and glass. Minimalism also affects the color scheme: it is very restrained, more often in white or gray tones.

Loft

Loft is not the first year at the peak of its popularity. At first, industrial buildings were used to create loft-style rooms, but today it is also used to design private houses. Loft style is a combination of strict forms and unusual decor elements. This is necessarily an open space without partitions and a minimum of wall decoration, a large amount of light and metal structures as an interior decoration of the premises.

Modern

Modern as a style for a private house is in constant demand. Exquisite forms with a large number of rounded lines in the design of the facade (bay windows, decorative portals, curved lines of windows - all this is typical for Art Nouveau). The rich decoration includes the use of stained-glass windows and mosaics on the façade. The interior layout of Art Nouveau houses is very complex, with a large number of corridors, stairs, and passages. This style shows the good taste of the owners of the house.

Minimalism

Minimalism is another style that does not lose its leading position. Strict forms of houses in this style are complemented by the use of natural materials for decoration and decor. At the same time, the design itself should be minimal. Minimalism requires high functionality of the premises, the presence of large windows and built-in lighting around the perimeter of the house.

German style

The main feature of German houses is rationality and good quality. Usually these are square mansions with a pitched roof, built of stone. Most often, these are one-story houses or projects with an attic floor. Small windows with shutters, massive wooden doors, red shades of tiles - all these are the bright features of the project in the German style. Inside such a house, the space is also arranged as rationally as possible: the layout provides for a minimum number of corridors or halls, all rooms have high functionality.

Postmodernism

Postmodernism is a trend that knows no boundaries. This style often uses the features of historical styles of architecture, mixed in a bizarre form. Characteristic features of projects in the style of postmodernism are pitched or domed roofs, attics, exaggerated decorative elements - gables, spiers, non-standard windows. Curved forms, the rejection of straight lines and the extraordinary look of such houses make them remarkable and memorable.

Ranch

This style is a blend of classic American Western rustic architecture and colonial influences. As a result, the ranch style is characterized by one-story houses of large area and often elongated shape. Ranch mansions are characterized by a large number of bedrooms, the presence of a built-in garage for several cars. Visually, these are light-colored houses under an almost flat hipped roof with a stucco finish on the facade and a low porch.

Rococo

The elaborate and richly decorated Rococo style takes us back to 18th century France. In a modern interpretation, these are houses on several floors with expressive decor. The design of the project in the Rococo style is characterized by curved lines, rounded shapes, balustrades and columns, stucco cornices and convex bay windows on the facade. Stucco elements adorn both the exterior and the interior of such a mansion.

Scandinavian style

Scandinavian style is all about simplicity and functionality, which together form the unique concept of hygge - the Scandinavian concept of comfort. Scandinavian-style houses have a laconic look. The windows in them are with massive frames, large in size. A small wooden porch or terrace is used as an entrance decoration. The style itself is characterized by reliability, high energy efficiency and functionality.

Mediterranean style

Mediterranean style is a combination of luxury and functionality. Snow-white villas and small brick houses - they can all be made in this style. Its features are the presence of an almost flat roof with cornices, terracotta tiles or plaster in the facade, spacious terraces and, of course, a patio.

Modern style

Modern style refers to the whole complex of architectural solutions used today. Often it is a mixture of several architectural styles, for example, eco-style and minimalism, modern and English style.

Fachwerk

Fachwerk is an expressive style of country architecture, known since the Middle Ages. Half-timbered houses are assembled on a frame of durable wooden beams, and the frame itself is taken out and used as a facade decor. The façade itself is necessarily light, with a contrasting shade of beams, which are combined into bizarre geometric shapes. Pitched roofs, large windows and interior decoration with natural materials are also a must for half-timbered houses.

Farm style

Farm style is quite versatile: you can build both small mansions and entire estates in it. Its main features are comfort and the use of natural forms and materials. Farm-style mansions are characterized by the presence of two floors, a large porch. Often, siding panels are used to decorate such houses.

Finnish style

Finnish style, like its fellow Scandinavian, welcomes the simplicity and functionality of forms. Most often these are houses made of wood, one-story or with an attic, a large terrace and a sauna. A slightly squat shape and the lack of bright colors in such projects is compensated by comfort and environmental friendliness.

Hi-tech

The famous high-tech is the leader in the number of fans. This is the style of metal and glass, thoughtful lighting and simple shapes. Houses in which the lion's share of the facade is reserved for large panoramic windows, multi-level terraces and balconies - this is high-tech.

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Czech style

Czech architecture gravitates toward tradition. And country houses in the Czech style are usually one-story, squat, with sharp pitched roofs. The walls in such a project are plastered, and the roof is necessarily covered with red tiles. Bay windows, turrets, chimneys may be present as decorative elements.

Chalets

Chalets or Alpine style are solid and durable houses that can withstand the harsh mountain climate. They are built of timber and stone, have gable roofs protruding beyond the walls. The first floor of the chalet is usually faced with stone, and the second with wood paneling.

Chateau

Chateau is a style that resembles the country mansions of the French nobility. Most often, these are two-story houses, which are decorated with stylish and restrained stucco, with a symmetrical arrangement of windows. The light-coloured stucco finish of the façade and tall, white-framed windows lend lightness to such projects.

Swedish Style

A Swedish style mansion is always clad in red brick or wood paneling with white trim. A simple laconic form, white windows and doors, a small porch and attached utility rooms are also characteristic of Swedish-style projects.

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