Different Home Styles

Last Updated on December 6, 2011

One of the foundational choices for designing your new space is deciding what style fits you best. The following are a few examples of some popular styles.

Victorian

The strongest denoting feature of external Victorian architecture is points – steeply-pitched roofing and pointed arch or lancet windows, predominantly. The roof’s trim tends to be elaborate and decorative, all a bit gothic. Inside you’ll see mood lighting with chandeliers and sconces (wall-mounted lighting). Walls and cabinetry will be weathered and made of real, often heavy, wood with metallic fixtures. Think Addams Family without the “creepy and kooky.”

Southwestern

Southwestern style is highly detailed – like you are home on the range. Outside, you will see a lot of stucco and adobe materials with squared windows and an entryway covered by an awning. On the interior, vibrant colors, earth tones and ceramic tiles create a desert atmosphere – usually with warm oranges, browns, greens and tans. Kitchens designed in the southwestern theme incorporate ceramics and terra cotta coatings and tiles.

Country

“Were you born in a barn?” would not necessarily be a bad question when it comes to the country style. Country design uses exposed beams and rustic, weathered pinewood or barn paneling for the exterior. Inside, earth tones and wallpaper is used to give the room a warm, “down home” look.

Traditional

Traditional design uses detailed architecture such as crown molding, embossed wood paneling and rich, deep colors both inside and out to give the home a Norman Rockwell-inspired look. When it comes to furniture, dark-stained wood like oak or maple accent the room well. Using deep, lush colors for paint, like hunter green or burgundy, help give a more formal feel and sets apart traditional from country.

Modern

Modern style is rather nebulous. One year it may be straight lines and angles; the next year plush curves may be in style. One aspect that always holds true, however, is that minimalism is key. Hidden appliances, furniture with defined edges and a general lack of accessories make the room feel modern. Sterile, cold materials like stainless steel, marble or granite, or frosted glass give the room a futuristic vibe. For the few accents, go with basic geometric shapes and vivid colors like blues, reds or yellows.

Eclectic

The eclectic style is one of the harder styles to describe. It rarely conforms to one genre or another. Instead, it draws from several of the aforementioned design themes. Vintage or hand-me-down accessories accent an eclectic room well. Feel free to recycle your grandmother’s old cast iron basin sink and incorporate it next to your brand new spa-style tub. With any color palette or pattern fitting well into this style, it’s hard to go wrong.

The most important thing about choosing a style is finding the one that fits you and your family. A person’s home is his or her own space. Try to make it reflect yourself, but don’t be afraid to be adventurous and play around with ideas.

This guest blog post was written by Tracy Tesmer, founder of Tracy Tesmer Design • Build • Remodel • Repair, a Gainesville, GA kitchen remodeling company specializing in kitchen renovations. Tracy has over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry and hosts a weekly home improvement radio show on WDUN in North Georgia.