Modern house designs offer a sleek, elegant and streamlined look. With the use of slab-on-grade concrete and steel roofs, the modern house often appears to have no exterior walls except for the pillars and cantilevers or sections of glazing of various shapes and sizes. Interior walls might be offset or stepped out or built with a combination of concrete, glass, and steel. Another feature of modern house design is the use of open spaces and large windows, allowing for an abundance of natural light and commanding views of the landscape. Modern House Design with Slab-on-Grade Concrete and Steel Roofs
Designs for coastal houses offer an exceptional opportunity for homeowners to make the most of beautiful ocean views. For maximum impact, the house should be tucked into a sloping slope with the upper stories providing stunning views while the lower levels provide protection from storms and rising tides. The coastal house design often employs a series of decks and terraces built up to capture the best of the sea, sun, and sand. Glass walls and balconies are common features, allowing for maximum light and unobstructed views.Coastal House Design with a Sloping Slope for Ocean Views
Contemporary house designs tend to feature an open floor plan and rectangular layout. These designs can be balanced by the use of both symmetrical and asymmetrical elements. Contemporary houses may include large glazed walls, corner windows, exposed structural elements, and roof overhangs. To bring the outdoors in, contemporary houses may also incorporate sliding glass doors, patios, and terraces. Contemporary House Design Featuring an Open Floor Plan & Rectangular Layout
The Tuscan house design reflects the traditional Mediterranean style of architecture. Its classic elements include stone walls, stone arches, terra-cotta tile roofs, pocket courtyards, and loggias. Of special note is the way the elements of the Tuscan house are merged into one seamless composition. The home usually has a neutral palette of natural materials, such as sandstone, wood, and stucco, and a red tile roof. Other details include a tiled central courtyard, half-timbered balconies, and spacious outdoor living spaces. Tuscan House Design with Stone Walls, Stone Arches & Terra-Cotta Roof
Modernist house designs often employ curved roofs, open floor plans, and angular lines. These modern houses may be constructed with concrete block walls and wood or concrete roof trusses. The walls are often divided up in a single large span or multiple spans of different heights and widths. Interior walls can be left open or filled in with various materials. Glazed walls offer views and a connection to the outdoors, while large skylights provide a source of natural light. Modernist House Design With Curved Roof, Open Floor Plan & Angular Lines
Midcentury house designs typically feature an open-plan layout, expansive windows, and wood walls. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls allow for improved interaction between the indoors and outdoors. Natural and neutral colors, such as beige and gray, are often used. Some midcentury houses may incorporate organic elements, such as a fireplace wall or curved walls, into the design. With its clean lines, natural materials, and its ability to meld the indoor and outdoor spaces, the midcentury house design remains a classic.Midcentury House Design with Open-Plan Layout, Expansive Windows & Wood Walls
Bungalow house designs feature a narrow porch, simple structure, and classic bungalow style. These homes are often boxy in shape, one or two stories, and feature large porches. The walls are often horizontally siding, covered in wood panels, or brick. The windows are typically large and single-paned. A low-pitched roof offsets the bungalow’s boxy shape, while a wide chimney either stands alone or shares a central wall. Bungalow House Design with Narrow Porch, Simple Structure & Bungalow Style
Cottage house designs often feature traditional cottage style, with high ceilings and exposed beams. These homes, typically constructed with wood, stone, or brick, may be asymmetrical or symmetrical in design. These structures often incorporate simple details such as dormers, beaded window frames, and columned porches. From bungalows to inverted butterfly wings, cottage houses can be constructed in a variety of shapes to create a charming and elegant living space. Cottage House Design with Cottage Style, High Cathedral Ceilings & Exposed Beams
Rustic house designs offer a rustic charm with wood beams, wooden pillars, and cobblestones. Stone and brick are often used to add texture and contrast. Large, natural elements such as logs and trees are common features in a rustic-style house. A rocked fireplace often anchors the living area, providing warmness and beauty to the home. Open floor plans and exposed beam ceilings also contribute to the rustic look. Rustic House Design with Logs, Wooden Pillars & Cobblestones
The log cabin house design offers a traditional mountain retreat with a wraparound porch, mountain views, and a mountain retreat atmosphere. The walls of the home typically consist of wide log walls, often left natural or stained to blend with the surrounding environment. A massive stone fireplace anchors the main living area, offering warmth and comfort. Outside, a large deck offers a stunning view of the mountains and a chance to stargaze on a clear night. Log Cabin House Design With Wraparound Porch, Mountain View & Mountain Retreat
The Victorian home design is characterized by its tower rotunda, shouldered window, and French details. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light and commanding views of the exterior. The exterior walls are often clad in laburnum wood or brick, while a steep roof is common. Iron detailing is also prominent, such as twisted columns, cresting, scrolls, and finials. Ornamental fencing and detailed window frames add Victorian charm to the outside of the home. Victorian Home Design with Tower Rotunda, Shouldered Window & French Details
The colonial home design often features a white picket fence, brick porch, and gabled roof. These homes are typically symmetrical in shape and may have low-pitched roof lines with flared eaves and gables. Wall surfaces are usually covered in clapboard or slate. Windows may have nine or six panes paired together. Large doors with archways often open into the interior living spaces. Detailed wood trims, such as dentil moldings and door pediments, add a classic touch. Colonial Home Design with White Picket Fence, Brick Porch & Gabled Roof
The Cape Cod house design is characterized by its roof-style architecture with shuttered windows, brick fireplaces, and shingle roofs. These classic homes can be constructed as two-story structures or single-story cottages. The exterior walls are usually draped in clapboard and shingle. The windows most often feature shutters. Inside the home, wood beams, wainscoting, and fireplaces may be included to complete the Cape Cod style.Cape Cod House Design with Shuttered Windows, Brick Fireplace & Shingle Roof
Split-level home designs feature a human-scale layout, expansive windows, and tiered porches. The front entrance often leads to a staircase that descends to the lower floor and rises to the upper floor. Connecting the two levels is a landing with windows to allow natural light into the house. The exterior of the home may have a wrap-around porch or a terraced garden area with a patio. Split-Level Home Design with Human-Scale Layout, Expansive Windows & Tiered Porches
Ranch house designs often feature a classic single-story layout with a long porch, masonry walls, and an open floor plan. Exposed beams, large windows, and a low-pitched roof with wide overhangs are common features. The interior walls may be paneled with wood or painted a neutral hue. Homeowners may also add a fireplace with brick or stone accents. Outside, a low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscape with shrubbery and groundcover helps create a cozy, rustic atmosphere. Ranch House Design with Long Porch, Single-Story Layout & Masonry Walls
The Tudor house design features a half-timbered facade, steep roof, and arched doorway. Horizontal masonry courses and sets of vertical timbers are common exterior elements. Roofs may have brick chimneys with decorative terra-cotta tiles. Interior spaces often feature exposed wood beam ceilings and hardwood floors. Details such as plaster walls, casement windows, and large fireplaces may also be found. Tudor House Design with Half-Timbered Facade, Steep Roof & Arched Doorway
Mansard house designs feature attic windows, dormers, and an open-plan layout. The style is sometimes referred to as the French Second Empire style and is notable for its two-story blocks constructed on either side of a central pavilion. The exterior of the home typically has a steeply-pitched roof with two slopes and tall windows. The interior may have high windows, archways, built-in cabinets, and detailed woodwork. Mansard House Design with Attic Windows, Dormers & Open-Plan Layout
The Craftsman home design offers an open-plan layout, Arts and Crafts details, and exposed beams. In the exterior of the home, these details may include a low-pitched roof with wide overhangs and exposed rafter tails, as well as a large porch with tapered square pillars, large columns, and sway-backed roofs. Inside, the home may feature low-relief trim, built-in cabinetry, and wood floors. Other touches that contribute to the classic Craftsman-style home may include stained glass windows and arts and crafts furnishings.Craftsman Home Design with Open-Plan Layout, Arts and Crafts Details & Exposed Beams
The Italianate house design is characterized by its low-pitched roof, rounded bay windows, and ornate details. These houses may be raised on courtyards or basements and are sometimes constructed of heavy masonry. The roofs often have a bell-shaped or low-hipped configuration. Other distinguishing features may include cornice brackets, arched doorways, iron gate guards, and large porches framed with balusters and stone panels.Italianate House Design With Low-Pitched Roof, Bay Windows & Ornate Details
The Prairie home design has its roots in the prairies of America’s Midwest. These homes feature simplified lines, horizontal grooves, and an open floor plan. Prairie-style homes typically have two stories, rectangular shapes, and wide porches. The exterior walls can be covered with stucco, wood, or brick and may have horizontal bands of windows. Inside these homes, tall ceilings, a central atrium, and cross-ventilation are common features.Prairie Home Design With Simplified Lines, Horizontal Grooves & Open Floor Plan
The Georgian house design offers a two-story facade, balustrades, and pillared porch. The most common features of these homes are their dormer windows, fanlights, and six-over-six windows. The exterior walls are often covered in brick, clapboard, or wooden shingles. Balustrades and porches are typical features to enhance the classic Georgian style. Inside the home, intricate paneling, columns, and dentil moldings may be found. Georgian House Design With Two-Story Facade, Balustrades & Pillared Porch
Spanish Revival house designs feature arcades, clay roof tiles, and a central courtyard. These homes often have low-pitched roofs, stucco walls, and wrought-iron balconies. The entrance often has an ornate archway or elaborate door with ironwork. Other features may include carved beamed ceilings, tiled flooring, and mosaic tilework. The exteriors may feature large courtyards, fountains, and water features.Spanish Revival Home Design With Arcades, Clay Roof & Courtyard
The eclectic house design typically features a mix of multiple styles and a unique, creative layout. Eclectic homes may feature unexpected materials and features such as stone walls, large floor-to-ceiling windows, curved walls, and modern detailing. These homes tend to intertwine traditional and contemporary elements and focus on natural materials, such as stone, wood, and stucco. A unique feature of the eclectic house design is its flexibility, allowing homeowners to express their creative vision.Eclectic House Design With a Mix of Multiple Styles & Creative Layout
Contemporary lakeside home designs often feature modern contemporary design and natural materials. These homes typically employ extensive glass walls to take full advantage of lakefront views while extending the living spaces outside with terraces and porches. Some of the common exterior features include wood siding, stone, and glass, which are often combined to create one cohesive design. Inside, contemporary lakeside homes may feature open floor plans and floor-to-ceiling windows.Contemporary Lakeside Home Design With Modern Contemporary Design & Natural Materials
Minimalist House Design With Open Floor Plan, Simple Lines & Minimal Decor