What is your Favorite Style of House? Exploring popular house style in Westchester County.

 House styles in Westchester County

Common Homes styles you can find in Westchester County, NY.

If you are thinking of starting your home search, have you also thought of your favorite style of home? In Westchester County, there are many styles of homes to choose from. Do you know the difference between the styles? Or the philosophies behind the styles and the movement that inspired the styles? Many of the towns in Westchester have areas where a particular style of home dominates the area. An example is in Larchmont Manor you can see a lot of victorian style homes while in the North End New Rochelle, you will see more ranches and raised ranches. Both areas reflect upon the times they were constructed.

Colonial:

American colonial homes have a rich history that dates back to the early 1600s when the first English colonies were established in North America. These homes were typically built using local materials such as timber, stone, and brick and were designed to be functional, comfortable, and reflect the cultural values of the time. During the colonial period, there were several different architectural styles including the First Period, Dutch Colonial, and Georgian, each of which had unique features and characteristics. Over time, the design of colonial homes evolved as new materials and construction techniques became available, and as the country expanded westward and new cultural influences emerged. Today, many American colonial homes still exist and are highly prized for their historical significance, architectural beauty, and connection to our country's rich cultural heritage.

Ranch Style:

Ranch-style homes are a type of architectural design that originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. They are characterized by a single-story layout, a simple and functional design, and a low-pitched roofline. The Ranch style emerged in response to the post-World War II housing boom and growing demand for affordable, low-maintenance homes that were easy to build and accommodate changing lifestyles.

Ranch style homes often feature an open floor plan, with large windows and sliding glass doors to create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. The design was well-suited to the growing automobile culture of the time, with many Ranch homes featuring attached garages and driveways.

The Ranch style became extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s and is still widely used today, particularly in suburban and rural areas. The design is often appreciated for its simplicity, functionality, and adaptability, making it a popular choice for families, retirees, and first-time homebuyers.

Raised Ranch Style:

A Raised Ranch style home is a type of architecture that is a variation of the Ranch style home. A Raised Ranch is similar to a Ranch in terms of its layout and features, but it has a split-level design, with a portion of the home being elevated above the main living area.

Typically, the elevated portion of the home houses the bedrooms, while the main living area is located on the ground level. This allows for a split-level design that maximizes usable space and provides additional privacy for the bedrooms.

The Raised Ranch style became popular in the 1970s and 1980s as a way to add more living space to homes without increasing the footprint. The design was well-suited to suburban and rural areas, where larger lots were available, and provided a more versatile floor plan than the traditional Ranch style.

Like the Ranch style, Raised Ranches are often appreciated for their simplicity, functionality, and adaptability, and are still popular in many areas today.

Victorian Style Home:

Victorian-style homes are architectural designs that were popular during the Victorian era (1837-1901) in the United Kingdom and later in the United States. Victorian homes are known for their elaborate and ornate design, which is a reflection of the opulence and grandeur of the Victorian era.

These homes typically feature a symmetrical façade with a central front door, decorated gables, towers and turrets, and a mix of textures and materials such as wood, stone, and brick. Victorian homes often have large, intricate windows, with stained glass and decorative trim, and a variety of rooflines, including steeply pitched gables and towers.

Inside, Victorian homes are characterized by spacious rooms with high ceilings, elaborate moldings and trim, and intricate details such as carved fireplaces and built-in cabinetry. Color was an important element of Victorian design, with rooms often painted in rich, bold hues, and decorated with wallpaper featuring ornate patterns and designs.

The Victorian style was particularly popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is still highly prized today for its architectural beauty, historical significance, and connection to a rich cultural heritage.

Modern Home Style:

Modern architecture is a style of building design that emerged in the early 20th century and is characterized by a focus on functionality, simplicity, and the use of new materials and technologies. Modern homes are often characterized by clean lines, a lack of ornamentation, and an emphasis on functionality and efficiency.

Some common features of modern homes include large windows and open floor plans, which blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces, and a minimalistic aesthetic that prioritizes clean lines, neutral colors, and natural materials. Modern homes are often built with new construction materials and techniques, such as steel, concrete, and glass, which allow for the creation of larger, open spaces with minimal structural support.

Another important aspect of modern architecture is its relationship to the environment. Many modern homes are designed to be environmentally sustainable, with features such as passive solar heating and cooling, and the use of sustainable materials and technologies.

Modern architecture continues to evolve and is still widely used today, with many variations and sub-styles emerging over time, such as International Style, Brutalism, and Deconstructivism. The style remains popular due to its simplicity, functionality, and adaptability, and is often appreciated for its connection to the technological and cultural innovations of the 20th century.

Cape Cod Style:

The Cape Cod style house is a type of architectural design that originated in the late 17th century in New England, specifically the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts. These homes were designed to be simple and functional, with a focus on practicality and energy efficiency in a challenging coastal environment.

Cape Cod homes are typically small, one-and-a-half-story structures with steep rooflines, central chimneys, and dormer windows. The homes are made of wood and feature clapboard siding, which helps to protect the interior from harsh coastal weather. Other traditional features include symmetrical façades, central front doors, and simple, functional interiors with small rooms and low ceilings.

The Cape Cod style became popular in the United States in the early 20th century and was widely used in suburban developments during the post-World War II housing boom. The design remains popular today due to its simplicity, functionality, and connection to New England's rich cultural heritage. Many Cape Cod homes have been modernized and updated over the years, but the basic design and layout of the homes remain largely unchanged, making them a popular choice for families, retirees, and first-time homebuyers.

Arts & Crafts Style:

The Arts and Crafts movement was a cultural and design movement that emerged in Britain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction against the mass production and industrialization of goods, and instead emphasized the importance of traditional craftsmanship and the creation of objects that were both beautiful and functional.

Arts and Crafts style homes are architectural designs that reflect the principles and values of the Arts and Crafts movement. These homes are typically characterized by a focus on simplicity, functionality, and the use of natural materials. They often feature handcrafted details such as wood paneling, stained glass windows, and decorative tile work.

Arts and Crafts homes also tend to be spacious and well-lit, with large windows and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. The interiors of Arts and Crafts homes often feature exposed beams, fireplaces, and built-in cabinetry, as well as an emphasis on the use of natural materials such as wood, stone, and textiles.

The Arts and Crafts movement had a significant impact on the design and architecture of homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and many Arts and Crafts style homes can still be found today, particularly in suburban and rural areas. The style remains popular due to its emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and the use of natural materials, and is often appreciated for its connection to the cultural and social values of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Westchester has many many beautiful styles of homes, I can help you discover your favorite style.  If you are in the market for a new home, let me know.