5 Common New England Home Styles to Know
If you’ve traveled around the United States at any point in your lifetime, you’ve probably come to realize how different real estate is throughout the 50 states. From home prices and sizes to location, amenities and planned communities versus small-town neighborhoods, the home styles vary greatly depending on what state you decide to visit on any given day. Whether you’re a native New Englander or are considering moving to the area soon, there is a lot to know about the overall style in this area of the country.
When it comes to buying a home your must-have list may include things like location, home size, bedroom requirements and price range, but often, home style is a forgotten selection. In New England, home styles vary from one neighborhood to the next, but there are a handful of traditional homes that you will always find in this area. You may have found yourself driving through an area of town where you loved the home style, but did not know what the formal name for it was. We are here to help you understand the different styles you may see when you explore your next home purchase in New England.
Explore the top 5 New England home styles to know today.
1.Ranch
This one-level home first made its appearance in the 1920s as an economical way to house your family in a suburban-developed area. From then, until about the 1970s, ranch-style homes were one of the most popular home options throughout the country. Post World War II, their ease of build, flexibility in design and low cost were a perfect match for families throughout the United States suburbs. Ranch-style homes are one of the main reasons many families moved from the cities into the suburbs, growing the suburban area greatly post-war. Ranch-style homes are simple in design appearance, boasting clean lines and a simple color palette, without many intricate design elements. Many of these homes utilize an L-shaped floor plan on a single story. They also, often, include an attached one or two-car garage. Other features include a patio with sliding door, a covered front porch and a pitched roof. Most floor plans do not exceed 2,000 square feet of living space.
2. Split Level
An upgraded modification to the standard ranch-style home, the split level gained traction in the late 1950s. Similar in features to the ranch, a split level includes all of the same elements as a ranch, but adds in extra room and features for a larger overall floor plan. In addition to the added space, there is an upper and lower level, divided at the entry. This splits the home into three separate spaces: a basement, an open upper level that includes the kitchen and living area and a sleeping quarter that includes all of the bedrooms down a specific hallway. Often, the basements on split-level homes are finished to add more living space to the home.
3. Cape Cod
Cape Cod homes, or capes for short, have been around since England’s colonization in America. Gaining traction again in the early 1930s, many original capes, built in the 1600s, were remodeled to fit the living space and requirements for the era. Some of the most popular features found in cape homes include wood or brick siding, a one-and-a-half-story design, wide shutters, a gabled roof, a single chimney and a centered front door. From the front door, there is a hallway that extends from the front to the back of the home and opens to each room throughout the house.
4. Colonial
The most popular two-story design, the colonial is a staple home throughout the country. Boasting either two or three stories, these homes typically feature 3 to 5 bedrooms and are ideal for larger families or those looking for more space. The first floor is the living area, including a den, a kitchen and, at least, a half bath. The second story houses all of the bedrooms while the third can include an additional bedroom or attic area. Other features include one to two brick chimneys, a front entryway, a high pitched roof, crown molding and other more intricate design features.
5. Victorian
Gaining popularity in the early 1900s due to new manufacturing techniques, the Victorian is a staple American home. Although older in age, these expansive homes feature elaborate and unique design features like turrets, specialized shingle shapes, multiple gabled roofs, bay windows and non-symmetrical floor plans. Often, they can be found in more eye-catching colors that vary throughout the interior and exterior. They are sometimes referred to as “gingerbread houses,” because of their intricate design elements.
New England includes homes of all eras and design backgrounds, but many pinnacle American homes can be found in the heart of this area. The New England states are filled with vast history of the United States and that can be seen in the home designs that still pop up on the market. If you are in the market for a new home or hoping to decide on your ideal home design this year, I can help. Let’s connect and discuss what your home goals are and tackle your plan together.
