Reveal 50+ Striking Italianate House Design Trend Of The Year

Italianate house design is known for its low-pitched or hipped roofs with wide overhanging eaves and wide, bracketed roof cornices. Grand two-story rooms with large windows that open to the outside create a harmonious energy. Fitted balconies, often with decorative balustrades, extend the interior living space. Cornices and window lintels are often detailed with ornate trim and some designs also feature elaborate porches or verandas.

Italianate style home plans often represent a romantic yet orderly architectural style of homes, often with symmetrical designs, rich detailing, and beautiful proportions. As one of the most classic of house designs, Italianate homes beautifully blend a traditional look with modern conveniences, offering high-quality construction, unique architectural details, and romantic outdoor terraces and balconies. Popularized in the 1840s, this style of architecture has become increasingly sought-after, as families are looking for homes that could be adapted to modern lifestyles.

One of the most popular features of the Italianate style is the absence of excessive decoration. Large windows, wider than standard, replace many of the decorative details of more contemporary designs. The use of flat-topped roofs reduced the amount of ornamentation, making this style of home efficient and economical. Many new construction homes and extensively restored and renovated homes have been based on the Italianate style.

Architecturally, Italianate house designs tend to feature tall and narrow proportions, ideal for controlling light and ventilation. High ceilings, large arches and decorated lintels, tall columns, graceful balconies on multiple floors, and bay windows that dominate a house façade are all characteristic features of Italianate house designs.

Typical home plans usually feature an elongated, symmetrical facade with a high-pitched roof. The roof, usually hipped or gabled, may feature wide eaves, bracketed cornices, and occasionally cupolas or belvederes (rooftop towers). The building corners are formed by projecting walls that contain windows. Common details of Italianate homes include bay windows or round windows, Corinthian columns, round towers, balustrades, deep porches, and Palladian windows.

Italianate home designs have been increasingly popular for over a century for their picturesque aesthetic and graceful symmetrical lines. Stylized columns and detailed trim around doors and windows make a clear statement that this style of house is elegant and timeless. Other traditional features that remain popular in modern times are Tuscan arches, ornate balustrades, and shallow porch overhangs.

Windows in Italianate homes are wide and are very often arched with gently curved features or in the shape of a semi-circle or arch, known as bull's-eye or round windows. Windows are usually deep set in wall frames, so that multiple windows make a strong presence on each side or a single window still looks impressive in size.

Modern interpretations of Italianate house design use all of the traditional elements, but include larger windows and open interiors with improved insulation, energy efficiency, and modern amenities. Many contemporary Italianate design homes are built in a mix of traditional brick or stucco featuring vivid colors and elaborate trim that instantly create a richness and depth, something that is unique to this particular style.

General features of modern Italianate homes typically include arched doorways, curved windows, and a single-story veranda wrapping the entire length of the house. For larger homes, a two-story veranda is often used in modern interpretations of Italianate designs. Many homes also incorporate modern styling in the windows and trim work, keeping the classic look updated while still emphasizing the importance of classic elements.

Italianate house designs are characterized by their tall and narrow proportions, columns, and curved and arched windows. This style of architecture grew out of the classical renaissance architecture popular during the early 19th century in England. After being introduced to the United States in the 1820s, the Italianate design style quickly became immensely popular, with its emphasis on symmetrical proportions and tall and narrow designs.

This style of home is particularly popular in regions where Italian immigrants have settled in large numbers, such as California and Texas. To this day, Italianate homes remain among the most beloved of all architectural styles and are still often preferred by luxury home buyers.

Italianate vacation homes and country homes are some of the most charming and desirable architectural styles, featuring rich details and a variety of design elements. These homes provide a cozy, inviting atmosphere and can serve as both a family retreat and an impressive holiday home, due to their excellent versatility. Italianate vacation homes often feature romantic outdoor terraces and balconies and unique window treatments.

Other features often found in Italianate vacation homes include elaborate doorways and parapets, multiple stories, and wide windows with panoramic views to maximize natural light. To complete the attractive look of a vacation home, many homeowners choose to add a garden room or conservatory. Guests can unwind in the pool or terrace while admiring the beautiful grounds and enjoying a breathtaking sunset.

Italianate house designs, typically characterized by lofty, narrow proportions and delicate columns, are ideal for small homes. By blending the elements of the Italianate style with smaller dimensions, housing can be designed to maximize the feeling of spaciousness. Bay windows, curved walls, and heated conservatories or terraces can all add visual interest while still maintaining the overall theme of the home.

Elements that can be scaled to fit smaller dimensions include tall and slender columns, gates and gates, and shallow front porches. With such a wide range of details to choose from, small Italianate style homes can be customized to the unique taste of the homeowners.

The restoration and preservation of an Italianate style house can provide an opportunity to restore the grandeur of a classic home and ensure its legacy for future generations. Whether you are looking for a complete remodel to make the home more modern and energy efficient or a more traditional restoration that returns the original details, the process of restoring an Italianate house is both helpful and inspiring.

When restoring an Italianate style home, it's important to focus on the historic details that will help preserve the home's architectural heritage. Updated finishes that are in keeping with the spirit of the house, such as interior brick pavers, natural light fixtures and careful use of decorative elements, will all contribute to a successful restoration project.

Italianate house designs, when creatively adapted into today's modern homes, can bring timeless beauty and elegance into the home. Adaptations of the Italianate style can include elaborate entryways, wide stretches of windows, and multiple balconies with ornamental railings. Meticulous attention to detail is rewarded with a beautiful, attractive home.

Creative adaptations of the classic elements of this style often feature double-story windows, curved walls, and elegant Italian furnishings. Contemporary tweaks to the style are also popular, such as incorporating wrought iron balusters or arched entryways with custom stone walls or light fixtures.

For those looking for inspiration or resources on Italianate style house designs, there are countless resources online as well as books available at any library or bookstore. From helpful best practices and examples of successful restorations to design plans and architectural advice, it has never been easier to learn about Italianate house design.

Thoughts of Home is a website dedicated to exploring all aspects of the Italianate design, offering informational articles and visuals for both homeowners and professionals looking to explore this style. Many home design websites also offer an extensive selection of Italianate house designs, from simple and cozy vacation homes to elaborate estate homes. It's all a matter of finding the design that best suits a homeowner’s personality and lifestyle.