New England is a historically rich and culturally diverse area of our country. The result is a variety of architectural styles that are widely celebrated. Although home buyers often look at how many bathrooms or square footage is available, they should also consider the style of the home. Evaluate how the home looks from the outside, but consider the internal aspects of the house style as well!

The Cape Cod

A favorite among those who enjoy the board game Life, this style was revived in the 1930s but dates back to the 1600s. It is the classic New England one shorty with a half-second story. Usually, the exterior of the home has clapboard or, occasionally, brick. The interior operates around a central hallway that runs down the length of the home.

The Colonial

Stately and extremely popular throughout New England, some of these have multiple chimneys and often have wings within the interior of the home. Segmenting the floor plan into clusters of bedrooms and living areas. Originally, colonial homes were simple, with many small rooms and columns near the front door.

The Tudor

Tudor homes are often found accompanied by colorful gardens and lush lawns. They were initially popular throughout the 1900s but regained traction in the 70s and stayed stylish throughout the 80s. It’s probably time that they’re due for another revival! These are often two stories with high-pitched roofs using half-timber and patterned brick siding.

Noteworthy Mentions

The Victorian-style really gained popularity during the early 1900s and often showcases turrets, turned porch posts, and bay windows. Similar to the Victorian style is its “Americanized” version, the shingle house. Often asymmetrical and showcasing wide wrap-around porches, the shingle house is a New England favorite.

Federal houses are stately and large with few but meaningful visual details. These are usually red or white brick with double-hung windows that line up evenly across the front of the home.

The final mention here is the split level. These became popular as people sought out larger homes in the suburbs through the 1950s. A split level will often have some of the second level built right over the garage or have areas that overhang as extended areas of the floor plan.