The Victorian house designs are largely inspired by the Victorian Period, characterized by ornate features. These Victorian houses feature unique and highly intricate detailing in their designs, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Typical features of Victorian houses include tall ceilings, intricate woodwork and lots of windows. Elegance and extravagance are key in these designs, and they grant a majestic air to any building. Often seen in brighter, bolder colors, these houses offer an array of color combinations to fit any tastes. These houses are generally made with rich woods, detailed and decorative cast iron finials or porch columns, and Neo-Gothic and other period details, like turrets, cupolas and chimneys. Steeply pitched roofs are also common in Victorian house designs. The exteriors, punctuated by the ornamental detailing, can make these houses stand out from a crowd. This makes Victorian home designs well suited to large, luxurious properties, allowing the homeowner to really show off their splendid property.Victorian House Designs
The Greek Revival House Designs take their inspiration from the grand palaces and temples of Ancient Greece. These houses are usually marked by simpler, sober and symmetric sentiments, often employed with an air of sophistication. Greek Revival houses often feature classical columns and elements from the Greek style of architecture. The main outward feature of this style is the use of tall and slender columns known as Doric Columns. These columns may be built from graceful, tall and slender columns, or even short and heavily ornamented ones. Usually, the columns run along the frontage and down the sides of the house or place of building. Paired windows, open balconies, panoramic view windows, classical doors and large entrance hallways are also common in Greek Revival house designs. Shingled roofs, paired chimneys, and grandly detailed moldings also add to the overall grandeur of the structure.Greek Revival House Designs
The Gothic Revival House Designs often evoke a sense of grandeur and beauty. Taking their inspiration from European castles and the cathedrals of the Middle Ages, these houses feature pointed arches, steep gables and deeply recessed windows. Ornate shapes and details help to bring out the romantic mood of the Gothic Revival style, and its decorative features add a fantastic, unique feel to the house. These house designs are often built of brick, stone or stucco with towers, balconies, cornices, and turrets. Common features of Gothic revival designs are pointed arches, vaults and buttresses. These houses also feature dramatic exterior details such as stained glass, ornamental balconies and decorative gables. Additional features like crenelated towers, finials, balustrades, gargoyles and colorful coats of arms can also give the house a sense of the awe-inspiring fantasy of the Middle Ages.Gothic Revival House Designs
Tudor houses are built with a medieval influence, often with slate or thatched roofs, timbered walls and ornamental brickwork. This popular house design is also known as the Tudor Revival house, and it features large amounts of stone and brickwork for a strong and sturdy look. Tudor house designs are often characterized by their steeply pitched roofs, tall and narrow windows, and tall chimneys. Other great features that go hand-in-hand with Tudor houses are the ornate, brightly colored details, such as slate roofs with intricate patterns, intricately-designed window and doorways, decorative gables and stone-laid chimneys. Interiors of these houses typically evoke a great sense of history and grandeur, with a combination of dark wood panelling, and furniture.Tudor House Designs
The Italianate House Designs draw their inspiration from the late period of Italian Renaissance and the Italian Baroque architecture. These houses are characterized by their grand symmetric balance, coupled with ornate designs and details. Italianate House Designs are usually low and rather rectangular in form, giving the house a romantic, stylish look. The house features a covered porch with a flat roof or roof along with large and tall windows which create an airy feel. Ornate detailing made up of quoins, brackets for window cornices and balustrades often create an intricate, yet beautiful atmosphere. Italianate house designs also usually feature terracotta tiles and rusticated brick work in their construction, as well as a classic symmetrical façade.Italianate House Designs
The Second Empire house designs are typical of the Second Empire, or "Frenchified" period from the latter half of the 19th century. This style of architecture features mansard roofs and strong cornices with window bays, as well as a variety of other Romanesque features. These Second Empire house designs have very large and ornate façades, often characterized by tall towers and decorative tiles. The main feature of this type of house design is usually the roof– it is typically constructed using a mansard shape, which has a flat roof over a steeply sloping lower section. Other features that are typically associated with Second Empire houses include ornamental cornice work and window bays. The exterior decoration of the house usually features rich and complex plastic ornaments that instill the house with a feeling of grandeur and luxuriance.Second Empire House Designs
The Romanesque House Designs are based on the Romanesque style of architecture, which originated in the 11th century. These house designs are characterized by their large, thick walls, round or pointed arches, and use of traditional materials such as stones and bricks. Romanesque house designs usually feature recessed entryways, large round or pointed windows, and turrets, belfries or towers. The exterior details of the Romanesque house design often feature bold colors, such as red and yellow. Small intricate details such as spirals, keys and zigzags are also used for ornamentation. The roofs of these house designs usually have three or more peaks in a row, with the central peak being the tallest. This style of house design still remains popular, providing a sense of prestige and historical sophistication.Romanesque House Designs
Queen Anne houses draw their inspiration from the 16th century reign of Queen Anne. These are distinguished by their asymmetrical composition, intricate detailing, and picturesque style. These houses are usually decorated with a combination of wood and brick, and feature towers, turrets, porches, bay windows, and decorative trim detail. Queen Anne style houses often have steeply pitched roofs with a variety of complex shapes and sizes. The large arched windows usually feature Tudor or Gothic arch designs and the shape of the roofline will usually be irregular. The exteriors of these houses are often adorned with intricate latticework, brackets, and lace-like traceries. Queen Anne houses exude believe it or not, and have a certain grandeur that can be hard to replicate.Queen Anne House Designs
The cottage house design is characterized by its cozy and quaint appearance. These houses traditionally have low ceilings, small rooms, and cozy fireplaces. Cottage houses tend to feature a pool of smaller, single-story buildings, often connected by covered walkways or breezeways. These charming designs feature steeply pitched roofs, often built with wooden shingles, and a variety of patterns of chimney stacks. The quaint cottages may be made of stone or brick, and often feature half-timbered walls and leaded glass windows. The interior of these houses is often furnished with comfortable furniture and decorated with floral print fabrics and lace curtains for a charming effect. The exteriors of these little houses often boast brightly-painted trim and colorful flower beds, for a warm and inviting feel.Cottage House Designs
The Federal House Designs are classical and based on the Georgian style, often featuring symmetrical and regular designs. These houses often feature a façade with two-story wings and a pedimented center. Usually, these houses are made of stone, brick, or a combination of the two materials. The windows of Federal House Designs come in many shapes and sizes, typically featuring louvered shutters and a fanlight. The flat roof is usually adorned with a cupola, with a number of other decorative features such as balustrades or finials. The interior of these house designs are often characterized by high ceilings, parquet floors, elaborate woodwork, and formal dining areas. Large, stately staircases leading up to the second floor, as well as decorative brass fixtures and expensive Oriental carpets, are also common features of Federal style houses. Federal House Designs
The Craftsman style house design is an American architectural style which arose in the late 19th century. It is characterized by its simplicity and natural elements, and often features natural materials like wood, stone, and brick. The Craftsman house plans often feature wide eaves, deep porches, and low-pitched roofs. The exterior details of this style usually feature wood trim, such as exposed rafter tails and porch posts. Interior designs often feature built-in cabinetry and furniture, and open floor plans which bring the outdoors in. Natural lighting is also important in this style, and Craftsman houses often feature large windows and clerestories which bring in natural light. This style also often features wood-paneled walls, ceiling beams, and built-in cabinetry, all of which emphasize the natural elements of the house.Craftsman Style House Designs
19th Century House Design

The Greek Revival Style

The Gothic Revival Style
