What Architectural Style Do You Want For Your Next Home?
When you decide you would rather build a home than buying one already constructed, the first two questions you will need to answer are where and what. Where do you want to build your home? Do you want lots of acreage in the country, or do you want a traditional lot in a suburb? Maybe you are interested in finding an available lot in the heart of the city and building there.
Once you have your ideal location in mind or have purchased the property, you can narrow down what kind of home you want to build that would work in the setting you have chosen. While technically you could build whatever kind of home you wanted, the result can be disconcerting if the home isn't in harmony with the setting. For example, a traditional log cabin on an inner-city lot would be out of place. Here are three styles that might work for you:
Victorians
Victorian homes were originally fashionable during the period from 1830 to 1910. They tend to be more ornate than other architectural styles. Extensive woodwork, ornate fixtures and trim, and outdoor porches are common characteristics. They are also usually elaborately painted in bright colors. This style home is ideal for those who love history and tradition. A Victorian style home can fit on Main Street, downtown in a large city, or in a field with a farm.
Cape Cods
The homes were popularized in New England in the seventeenth century. They are relatively small and compact, designed within a two-story box. The roofline is often quite steep, with dormer windows in the upstairs bedrooms. The floor plans and room layout are usually quite standard, with only the overall sizes changing with the additional square footage.
A Cape Cod style is perfect for those who don't want or need a huge house, but instead, want a cozy and charming home reminiscent of a lake or oceanside cottage with a thatched roof and a white picket fence. The style home can fit into both sleepy, older neighborhoods, smaller suburban subdivisions, and small town.
Log Cabins
A log cabin is ideal for those who live an active life and enjoy the great outdoors. A log cabin requires a rural setting, preferably wooded, or at the very least, secluded. Log cabins today can be simple, one-room structures, or mansions made of wood. Their design elements are usually quite rustic.
These are just three of many different architectural styles. If you are considering building a home, schedule an appointment with a professional architectural design service. Their services will be invaluable as you nail down exactly what you do and don't want in your future home.