You already bought land in a nice location. You’ve narrowed down your options for a contractor, interior designer, and even insurance provider. You might even avail of services from elakeside.com to customize the equipment you need for the home-based business you might start. But you have yet to decide the look and feel of the house you’re about to build and become a base.
That’s enough to stall the progress of your plans. After all, you do not want to rush the decision and risk regretting it later. However, you also do not want to be derailed by indecision. At some point, you need to sit down, breathe in and out, and say out loud and with conviction, too, that you want to build a (insert house style) house. To help you out a little, here are some recommendations.
Country/French Style
This architectural style dates back to the 18th century. That means it’s right up your alley if you appreciate something that feels old and classic. This design used to be popular in areas such as St. Lawrence, the Mississippi valleys, Great Lakes, and New Orleans.
Staples of this design include steeply pitched roofs, narrow windows, half-timbered frames, and stucco walls. They are complemented with awe-inspiring landscaping and driveways. Curb appeal is topnotch with a country/french style home. It’s built to impress passersby. They’ll want to visit your house to drink coffee with you.
Victorian houses
This is another classic architectural style with stunning curb appeal. If you want a house that says you’ve made it, you can’t go wrong with Victorian. This type of house was most popular from 1860 to 1900. It encompasses a range of styles, including Queen Anne. Yes, it’s royalty-inspired, so expect opulence all around.
With a Victorian house, you get steeply pitched roofs, patterned shingles, asymmetrical facade, front-facing gable, cutaway bay windows, and a full-width front porch where you can host afternoon tea parties. There’s also the so-called contemporary Victorian, which infuses classic aesthetics with modern colors and ornaments.
Craftsman house
You do not need to be a legit craftsman to have this house. But it would be nice if you’re a little creative yourself. Painters, sculptors, or artists, in general, feel at home in this type of design, which flourished from 1905 to the 1930s. These days more and more people are rediscovering this architectural wonder.
And that’s for obvious reasons. A craftsman house is a modest home. But it’s never without charm. Expect low-pitched roofs, decorative beams, wide eave overhangs, and braces under gables. You also get to enjoy a porch where you can have poetry readings.
Mediterranean
Mediterranean houses come in a variety of styles. Arguably the most popular is the Spanish colonial revival. It became a sought-after design thanks to 1915’s Panama-California exposition. This house style peaked in the 1920s and the 1930s. You will still see a lot of these houses in sun-sunny California.
The characteristic features of a Mediterranean house include low-pitched roofs, grillwork, arches, and adobe or stucco exterior. It typically has a central courtyard highlighted by a fountain. Your living space extends to your garden. You have lots of opportunities to enjoy the sun and open air. If you’re all about that cool and breezy lifestyle, this house suits you well.
Contemporary
Contemporary houses flourished from 1950 to 1970. Since its initial peak, it never became passe. Instead, this architectural style expanded to a wide variety of modern aesthetics. The unifying theme manifests in geometric lines and simple structures.
Contemporary homes normally boast open floor plans, inventive designs, and lots of glass or other modern materials. The exterior is usually devoid of intricate designs. That is replaced by contrasting textures made possible through the use of an array of materials. Think low-pitched roofs and roof beams. If you want something simple but striking, this is your best bet.
Your house is a testament to your success. It’s the fruit of your labor. It only follows that you put your heart and mind into its creation. It’s fitting that you consider it a creative project. However, while you need to take the process seriously, you also need to have fun. Do not deprive yourself of the chance to enjoy the most fulfilling journey of building a home.
But first things first. You need to decide what architectural style to choose. In this list, we’ve provided some interesting options. But in the end, you’re the one who’s in control. You know your own aesthetics. You know what will make your heart aflutter. So listen to what your gut tells you and build the home of your dreams.
