There are so many descriptions used when describing Arlington VA homes for sale or when reading about the style of a neighborhood. In most cities, neighborhoods vary is style and age as well as the size of homes. This creates quite a quandary when reading about or even driving through neighborhoods.
To familiarize you with these descriptions, below are the 10 most popular styles of homes seen in most cities. Some styles date back to the pre-civil war era while others are newer and more modern. Some builders even incorporate architecture styles for the 18th and 19th centuries into today’s newly built homes.
Colonial/Colonial Revivals: The word “colonial” is a very broad term that encompasses several different styles of homes including French colonial, American colonial, Spanish, German, and the list goes on. But, when referring to an architectural style as colonial, several common factors apply.
The facade of colonial homes is symmetrical meaning that it is balanced with the door in the middle of the front of the house and the same number of windows on each side. These homes are usually two to three stories with bedrooms on the upper floors. When you think of colonial homes, classic and understated are two words that perfectly describe the style. Colonial homes do not stick out in a neighborhood. In fact, typically, when driving through a neighborhood, the colonial styled homes are the ones that people tend to stop and admire.
American Craftsman: With this style of home, “arts and crafts” is what comes to mind in terms of its design. When these homes first made their debut, they got the name because of their kinship to arts and crafts by mixing natural elements such as wood, stone and stucco in the building of the homes. Craftsman homes are wide and deep homes with thick columns that anchor front porches.
It is common to have exposed roof rafters as part of the porch covering as well as lots of windows and low-pitched roofs. Inside, the key element to a craftsman home is the open floor plan that goes from room to room without hallways and wasted space. Although a craftsman home uses simple materials, there are lots of details to the design. Craftsman styled homes are more popular today as they have a relaxed and cozy feel to them.
Bungalow: Bungalow styled homes are often confused with Craftsman homes as they are similar in their look. The difference is that bungalows are smaller and much more basic. They are usually one to one and a half stories and are rectangular in shape.
When they came on the scene many years ago, they were so popular that you could order a “bungalow kit” from Sears and Roebuck and build your house. These homes are relaxed and cozy as well as quaint in their look and feel.
Cape Cod: This style home sometimes falls under the “colonial” umbrella but is technically its own style of architecture. Cape Cod homes are single story homes usually shingle-sided with a steep pitched roof.
Cape Cods built in the 18th and 19th centuries had no dormers or detail for that matter, but as time marched on, dormers were added to the roofs in an effort to give the house a little more flair. Additionally, builders began using brick for siding to offer variety, hence the “colonial” element to the style of home.
Cluster Homes: These homes are seen more and more in urban neighborhoods that are developed as cities expand. Cluster homes are detached single family homes built on small lots. These homes are long and deep and are built closely together with other homes.
The advantages of cluster homes are that they share amenities and services with each other. Because of this reason, some cities will zone lots in these types of neighborhoods as “condominium lots.”
Contemporary: Using the word “contemporary” refers to a look or feel of home rather than an architectural style of home. When describing a home as contemporary, the design is odd-sized with sharp lines and a lack of ornamentation.
Traditional: This is another look or feel of a home rather than an actual style of architecture. Traditional homes are understated and pleasing on the eyes. It is common to see shutters on the front of windows and simple front porches or stoops at the front door. Other common elements of traditional homes are dormers and picture windows. Traditional homes are elegant in their presentation to the public.
Ranch: This architectural style reflects long one-story homes that are wide across lots. They usually have built in garages, big picture windows and sliding glass doors. With ranch style homes, the looks can be contemporary or traditional.
Victorian Homes: These homes are larger and grander in their appearance and are characterized by extravagant ornamentation such as patterned shingles, spindles and turrets. Builders use characteristics of Victorian homes in their designs today to give a more impressive feel to a home.
Cottages: This style home is frequently used interchangeably with bungalows. But, in reality, cottages are much plainer in their looks and much more practical. There is smaller ornamentation such as simple window boxes and less detailed trim. When thinking of a cottage, think of Hansel and Gretel’s home or a gingerbread house.
Whether you are a first time buyer or a seasoned veteran of the real estate world, hopefully, this gives you a better idea of what you see and what you like. Having a general grasp on the style of architecture gives you a leg up in knowing what you want. However, if a home in your favorite neighborhood is not a style that draws you in, go ahead and check it out. You never know what you think until you see it for yourself.
This article was written by Aaron Seekford who specializes in Arlington VA real estate. You can check out the may types of architectural styles Arlington has to offer by visiting Aaron’s Arlington VA Neighborhoods page.
