Best Of 69+ Alluring 17th Century House Plan Top Choices Of Architects

When it comes to iconic American architecture of the 17th century, nothing comes close to the unforgettable designs of Colonial homes. Home to some of the most important names in early American history, those who are fortunate enough to own a 17th Century House Plan are considered holders of something remarkable. While the evolution of the American home has seen many styles come and go, the Colonial home still holds a place of prominence in the visual landscape of the United States. For those that are interested in taking the plunge and designing a plan for a Colonial home, there are some interesting facts to consider.

Colonial Houses & Historic Homes of the 17th Century

One aspect of the Colonial home that immediately stands out is its plain exterior. While 17th-century homes vary in size, design, and the materials used, they are most often defined by their sparse decorations. This allows the homes’ later features to shine, like the roof gables, shutters, and of course, the columns. When it comes to roof selection, the Colonial home often employs either a steep with a wide roof, which are seen more prevalently in the Southern states, or a multi-facing roof with two or more slopes, as seen in Northeastern states. However, no matter the roof style chosen, column design usually links the upper and lower sections of the home in a more visually calming manner.

The infrastructures of 17th-Century homes are unique and, at times, inventive. Due to lack of resources and supplies, some of the homes feature cellars, logposts, and simple-framing techniques. These 17th Century Historic House Plans & Forms can be designed with minimal effort in a large variety of formats, depending on the Colonial architecture of the time and place in which they are built. Some of the frame types that were used include traditional timber framing, post and beam framing, and plank framing.

One of the most important features, and at the same time one of the most complex aspects of a 17th-century Colonial home design, is the chimney design and placement. During this time period, the construction of a proper fire-resistant chimney was exceedingly rare. Due to the lack of resources and complex placement methods, chimney designs were kept simple, with the number of bricks kept to a minimum. What ensued was a series of extravagant mix of PLANTS in either brick or fieldstone, depending on the region and its availability.

The exterior walls of any period building often reveal a lot about the time period in which it was designed. This was even so during the 17th century when homes were mostly built with exterior walls constructed out of rough-hewn timbers, with some examples being made out of stone. A unique trend seen in some 17th Century house plans is the use of a what is known as a jamb—these were used when exterior walls lacked sufficient support and could not fully support the upper parts of the wall. For a more distinct visual, there was also a tendency to include pedimented dormers in the plans of certain types of homes during this period.

Early Colonial house plans differ in style due to the unique regions found throughout the 17th century. Although the basics of the Colonial style carry over in various forms, there were some noteworthy differences dependent on the region. As an example, Atlantic coastal homes featured a large amount of ornamental work, made possible due to the more affluent neighborhoods found in the region. This could include regular window types, larger chimneys, and the use of coping stones. By comparison, in the New England region, there was a greater emphasis on functional design, and homes were mainly built with simpler arrangements; such as frame floors and jamb brace walls.

When it comes to designing a Colonial home that captures the atmosphere of the time, there are a few tricks to use. For the exterior, a two-story façade or Dutch style roof with gables works best in the 17th century style. To bring some texture and variance to the exterior, multiple materials can be used when coming up with the design. Brick, stone, wood, and metal can all be used in the design, with each having its own unique charm. For a more distinct style, exterior shutters and decorative clapboards can also be added to the design.

In the traditional house plans of the 17th century, the interior layout had a deep connection to the exterior plan. Maine and Pennsylvania Dutch homes, for example, had long and wide rooms that corresponded to the length of the home. Despite being one single room, it was sectioned off for separate activities, such as a fireplace and hearth, a dining area, and a kitchen. As for the bedroom, a common Colonial Bedroom design used in the 17th century had two side tables, a long case, a large bedroom, and some chairs for entertaining.

The Colonial house floor plans of the 17th had a distinct charm to them. This could be seen in both the inner and outer parts of the home, with the floor plans taking full advantage of the house’s size. One popular floor plan was the Central Chimney floor plan, with its two stories that featured a large chimney in the middle for the fireplace and other heating purposes. Similarly, the Saltbox floor plan usually consisted of two stories on one side of the house and a single story on the other, with the sloping roof serving as a modern interpretation of the hip roof concept.

17th century Colonial Homes are usually characterized by the rectangular shape and symmetrical façades of the house itself. Despite regional differences in size, roof design, window style, and the materials used, all Colonial homes have a distinctive look and traditional charm that will always be a reminder of this particular period in American architecture. As 17th century Colonial home plans and designs become increasingly popular, more and more people are hoping to catch a glimpse of America’s past. With these classic house plans, fulfilling that dream is possible.