Find Out Which House Is Right for You

Taking the decision to buy a home is easy, we all dream of our perfect home since childhood. But when it comes to reality, there are a lot of factors that come into play. For instance, you need to know what sort of house you are looking for. By sort, I not only mean the type of house that is detached or a townhouse, but it can also mean the style of the house.

With Extensive research, we have boiled it down to 10 styles of houses. Pick the one you love and let’s house hunt!

1) Colonial:  A colonial-style home usually has a simple, borderline minimalist rectangular shape. They tend to be two to three stories tall with fireplaces and brick or wood facades. Evolved from the simple log cabin, these homes rose in the days of the 13 original American colonies (hence the name) because they were simple to build, efficient to use, and easy on the eyes. They usually have a door in the center followed by an array of windows with simple rooms.

2) Contemporary: Contemporary houses are the houses of the present. With neutral colors and textures, contemporary houses stand out of the crowd. They are evolutionary, meaning they change and grow as we do, constantly adapting to what’s new, intriguing, and trending in the world of home design. You can’t say there is one definition for contemporary as it changes with what’s trending. For now, they come in earthy and subtle tones with pops of color in the interior of the house, like a white room with a yellow sofa.

3) Cottage: Cottages are often paired with cozy and comfy. You will find more cottages in the countryside where people use them as vacation homes. They are very easy to spot because of their roofs. With one main story and a second lower story which fits under the roof, cottages are small with a big personality.

4) Greek Revival: One of our personal favorites, Greek revival-style homes are some of the easiest to point out due to their impressive columns. These houses have large columns with Greek-style embellishments, white or subdued colors, and a grand front door and entrance. The houses just set themselves apart due to their royalty.

5) French Country: With the Greek on the frontier, the French did not disappoint. French country-style homes are inspired by the abodes found in the countryside of France, in areas like Provence. French country homes have pointed roofs, shutters and are typically made from stone. Inside you’ll find a stone fireplace, distressed wood, subdued palettes with pastels or worn colors worked in. French country style is defined as a mix of rustic and refined decor. It’s a popular style worldwide because of its comfortable and casual elegance that’s never ostentatious.

6) Mediterranean: Mediterranean-style homes feature elements from Spanish and Italian villas. There is a big focus on indoor-outdoor living. They feature tiled roofs, white stucco walls, warm stone, and wood as well as metal work on balconies and windows. Even though most Mediterranean-style houses have an understated look, you’ll often see splashes of color through gorgeous tile work.

7) Mid-Century Modern: Often Confused with Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern homes possess a sleek, uncluttered design that meets an appreciation for nature through large windows (connecting you to nature) and a mix of natural and man-made materials. These homes feature well-thought-out architectural design that allows function to inspire form.

8) Split level: What sets a split-level home apart is how the living spaces of the home are separated. Split-level homes have multiple floors that relate to short flights of stairs (unlike regular two- or three-story homes with long flights of stairs). Some love the unique separation of space while others find the numerous short flights of stairs to be cumbersome.

9) Tudor: Tudor homes are usually asymmetrical and look like something out of a storybook. Tudor homes are characterized by their steeply pitched gable roofs, playfully elaborate masonry chimneys (often with chimney pots), embellished doorways, groupings of windows, and decorative half-timbering (this lasts an exposed wood framework with the spaces between the timbers filled with masonry or stucco).

10) Victorian: Had to save the best for the last. Named after Queen Victoria, Victorian homes are typically two to three stories and include ornate elements, bay windows, small towers, porches, steep gable roofs and brightly colored facades. There are a variety of different designs that play off these core elements – including more ornate styles like Gothic revival and Queen Anne, or less ornate, like the folk style.

These were all the styles to look for when buying your dream home. Which one spoke to you?

With The Canadian Home, you can explore at all these homes and more at your fingertips. And if you can’t decide, you can always talk to an expert using the in-app chat feature.