Classic and Contemporary Designs for Your Dream Home
A custom home is an exciting possibility. For many people, it’s literally a life accomplishment to be able to have a custom home constructed. After all, the lucky owners of custom homes get to enjoy houses where even the tiniest details match their preferences from the moment they move in. If you’re getting ready to build a custom home, you’re probably excited about all the little details you’ll get to choose, from the fixtures in the bathroom to the built-in bookshelves in the study.
However, there is something else that’s quite important to consider, and that is the architectural style you’d like for your new home. In this blog post, we will first go over some things to consider when selecting the architectural style of your custom home. Then, we will discuss some of the potential styles you could choose.
What to Consider When Selecting an Architectural Style
The Features of the Lot
When selecting an architectural style for your new home, the lot’s shape and its surrounding features are crucial factors that can significantly influence your design choices. The shape of the lot itself presents various opportunities and challenges: a narrow lot may necessitate a multi-story home with a vertical focus, while a wide lot might inspire a more expansive, sprawling layout. Irregular-shaped lots could require creative design solutions to maximize space and functionality, and corner lots may allow for more dramatic entries or unique façade designs.
Alongside the shape, it’s important to consider what the lot will be surrounded by. Does it boast a large lawn? Is it situated on a hill? These natural surroundings will also play a vital role in your home’s style. For instance, it might look unusual to have a Cape Cod-style home in the middle of the desert, just as an adobe-style home might feel out of place in downtown Des Moines. By thoroughly understanding both the lot’s shape and its surroundings, you can tailor your architectural design to create a harmonious and optimized living environment.
Read our guide on how to choose the perfect plot of land and reach out to us for land acquisition services.
Your Tastes and Preferences
Once you’ve narrowed down your options based on your home’s setting, think about what styles appeal to you. Browse through magazines or social media accounts that focus on architecture to find homes and styles you like. Creating a list of styles that you’d consider can make the process a whole lot easier.
If you have friends or family members, bounce your style ideas off them to gain a second opinion. Someone may mention something that you hadn’t thought of. If you trust them, it’s perfectly fine to take inspiration from them.
Functionality
Finally, don’t forget to take functionality into account. You may have always dreamed about living in a beautiful, multi-story Queen Anne home, but a home like that would be extremely difficult to navigate if you or someone in your family happened to have mobility issues. A ranch-style home would make much more sense, as the family wouldn’t be going up and down stairs all the time.
Possible Architectural Styles to Think About
Queen Anne
The Queen Anne style derives from the late Victorian period. It features steep roofs, towers, and vertical windows. Queen Anne homes are usually heavily decorated with colorful trim, often referred to as “gingerbread trim.” As well as multiple stories and intricate details, this style usually has many porches, balconies, and chimneys.
Ranch
This style of home quickly gained popularity once the automobile became the primary mode of transportation in America. It features a single story with a pitched roof, built-ins along the exterior walls, and sliding windows and doors.
Split Level
This modern style can be seen mostly in the Eastern and Midwestern United States. The garage and TV room are usually toward the outer areas of the home, and the so-called “quieter” areas, like the living room and dining room, are more centered. The bedrooms are typically constructed above the garage.
Contemporary
This style features oddly sized, tall windows and very few ornaments, as well as an unusual mixture of materials for walls. The style also incorporates the surrounding landscape extremely well, which is something every custom home should aspire to do.
Farmhouse
If you’re looking to build in a more rural area, this style can be an excellent choice. It combines traditional design with functionality. For instance, the porches are designed to be a place to transition and take off muddy footwear, rather than a place to sit and relax. The front of the home is typically a formal area with a large kitchen, and the stairs going up to the second level are found toward the back.
Modern Mission
Based on the missions built by Spanish colonists, this style includes simple, clean lines and an interior that wraps around a courtyard. Roofs are often made from clay tiles and feature wide eaves for shade. This style is particularly popular in Texas and throughout the Southwest.
Classic
Consistency and symmetry are what this style is all about. Additional features include decorative architecture and valuable materials such as oak, mahogany, and cherry wood.
Let Us Build Your Dream Home
Davis & Reed Homes is a full-service home builder serving Iowa; Nebraska; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Houston, Texas. No matter which of these styles you have in mind, or even one that isn’t on our list, we’d be glad to help you construct your custom home. We make it a point to get to know our clients on a personal level, so we can deliver exactly what they want.
Contact us today to get started!