Colonial-Style Homes
Dating back to 1876, the Colonial style is one of the most popular in the United States. Colonial homes usually have two or three stories, fireplaces and brick or wood facades. The classic floor plan has the kitchen and family room on the first floor and the bedrooms on the second floor.
Colonials are easy to add on to at the side or the back. A brick facade may be difficult to match, but a builder or designer can help you find complementary siding materials. Look for reproduction Colonial-style materials, such as divided-light windows, to help you make a smooth exterior transition.
Victorian Houses
The Queen Anne style is one example of several home designs common during the Victorian period, which lasted from about 1860 to 1900. Homes of this era were romantic, distinctive and abundant with detail, from the fabrics and patterns to the colors and textures. These houses often feature a steeply pitched roof, a dominant front-facing gable, patterned shingles, cutaway bay windows and an asymmetrical facade with a partial or full-width front porch.
Contemporary Victorian house designs retain the traditional characteristics but use more modern fabrics and colors. Traditional and contemporary often pair effortlessly in these houses.