Let’s bring back a classic. Learn about the history of Colonial homes and what makes these historic homes so distinct. How can you incorporate Colonial-style into your décor?
Influenced by the European colonists who settled in America during the 1600s, the original Colonial-style homes were most common along the Eastern seaboard. By the 1700s, Colonial homes became more popular and spread to other parts of the country.
In the late 1800s, Americans wanted to reconnect with their roots and the Colonial Revival began. This era coincided with the Industrial Revolution, which made decorative elements more readily available than in the past. As a result, many early Colonial Revival homes took inspiration from Queen Anne, Greek, and Roman architecture. But by the end of 1900, homes began to return to cleaner designs.
Today, Colonial architecture continues to be most prominent in New England and the South, with some differences by region. Homes in the South have higher ceilings to provide ventilation in the summer and homes in New England typically have wood siding, while homes in Virginia are primarily built from brick. Architects still embrace the Colonial-style, and you’ll see many homes with its distinctive characteristics as far west as Ohio and Illinois. Here are some distinct design elements that give Colonial-style homes their charm.
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1. Symmetrical Structure
One of the most notable attributes of Colonial-style homes is the symmetrical structure. Most are square or rectangular with brick or clapboard siding. They may consist of one or more stories, and some have flanking wings, but the most common designs include either two stories or one and a half with dormers. The exteriors are understated with few embellishments, relying on simple geometric lines and minimalist color schemes, so the vast majority of Colonial-style homes are painted white with dark trim.
2. Pitched Roof
Early Colonial-style homes in New England were designed with a steeply pitched roof to shed heavy loads of snow. This characteristic survives today and is one of the most recognizable features of Colonial-style architecture. While gabled roofs provide more attic space and better ventilation, they’re susceptible to damage from high winds, therefore they’re not commonly found in the South or in coastal regions. Colonial-style homes in areas prone to high winds or hurricanes typically have a hip roof, which slopes on all four sides and is more durable.
3. Decorative Entryway
The entryway for Colonial homes are designed to catch your eye, making them more ornate than the rest of the minimalist façade. The paneled door is centered to maintain the home’s symmetrical geometry. Fanlight or transom windows are usually positioned above the door. Many Colonial-style entryways are adorned with a pediment, which forms a decorative crown and can be extended to create a covered porch. They can also be embellished with classical columns or two-story pilasters.
4. Balanced Window Placement
Many of the design elements of Colonial-style architecture work in harmony to create its distinct symmetry and simple lines. The window arrangement is no exception. Most homes feature a window on each side of the entry way and three to five windows on the second floor. The windows are usually multi-pane and double-hung with shutters. Most shutters on today’s Colonial-style homes serve only as a decorative feature. Bay windows are also common.
5. Paired Chimneys
Paired chimneys are another identifiable feature of Colonial-style homes, especially in the South. The chimneys were originally positioned one at each end of the house to prevent heat build-up in the summer. They also allow for fireplaces at each level inside the home and contain multiple flues to enable fires to be lit in several rooms at once. In the Colonial-style homes of the 1600s, fireplaces were wide and deep and rarely had a mantel. The first true mantels appeared in English Colonial homes during the 1800s and consisted of modest, floor-to-ceiling paneling.
6. Rectangular Façade
A rectangular or horizontal façade is a common exterior feature of Colonial-style homes and provides more balance to its design. It’s typically constructed of brick, and some homes may also include side porches. As with most other aspects of the home, the façade is usually unadorned and free from embellishments.
7. Center Hall Floor Plan
The symmetry of the Colonial-style home’s exterior is carried over to the interior. Most have a center hall that intersects the mirroring sides of the home. The front door opens to the hallway where stairs lead to the second floor. The kitchen is located toward the back of the ground floor while the more formal rooms such as the living room and dining room are located toward the front. The bedrooms are on the upper floors, and you will often find that the spacious attic has been converted to a den or playroom.
Liz has been a writer and editor for over 15 years. Over the course of her career she has covered real estate, tech, health and wellness, and fitness for a variety of print and digital publications. Her writing has appeared in Men's Journal, Everyday Health, Muscle & Fitness, and HuffPost.She spends the majority of her free time rock climbing, making ceramics, experimenting with new cuisines, and exploring the outdoors.
FAQs
American Colonial homes are generally characterized by a square or rectangular facade, a central entrance and windows symmetrically placed on either side of the entrance. They are typically made of wood, stone or brick and will generally have uniformly sized doors and windows with shutters.
What makes a Colonial house unique? ›
American Colonial homes are generally characterized by a square or rectangular facade, a central entrance and windows symmetrically placed on either side of the entrance. They are typically made of wood, stone or brick and will generally have uniformly sized doors and windows with shutters.
What are 3 characteristics of a Colonial house? ›
Colonial houses are built in a traditional style of architecture that dates back to the U.S. Colonial era. They are designed to comfortably serve as a family home, and typically feature a rectangular shape with gabled roofs, symmetrical windows, neutral color schemes, and flat exterior walls.
What features does a Colonial house have? ›
A colonial house is constructed in a popular home style with a simple, borderline minimalist rectangular shape. They tend to be two to three stories tall with fireplaces and brick or wood facades. Colonial homes are traditionally found on the East Coast of the United States.
What is colonial style interior design? ›
Colonial-style decor should evoke a feeling of stately elegance. The interior often features a grand entrance hall, wide staircase, polished wood floors, millwork, and wainscoting. Fireplaces were also focal points in the room. However, early Colonial style was very simple, straightforward, and rustic.
What makes a southern colonial house unique? ›
Symmetry is the prominent feature of Southern Colonial homes, which tend to have an even number of windows and chimneys on each side of the structures, along with balanced floor plans.
How to design a colonial-style home? ›
Multi-pane, double-hung windows with shutters, dormers, and paneled doors with sidelights topped with rectangular transoms or fanlights help dress up the exteriors which are generally wood or brick. Additional common features include center entry-hall floor plan, fireplaces, and simple, classical detailing.
What are the 4 common characteristics of colonialism? ›
Robert Blauner identified four components of the dynamics of colonization: (1) forced entry into a territory and its population; (2) alteration or destruction of the indigenous culture and patterns of social organization; (3) domination of the indigenous population by representatives of the invading society; and (4) ...
What are the characteristics of a colonial revival style house? ›
The most consistent Colonial Revival elements found in these buildings are building symmetry; hipped roofs that often intersected one another; the use of a single, decorative fan or Palladian windows located high-up in the gabled or pedimented (triangular end) of the roof; double-hung windows with decorative features ...
How do you make a colonial house look modern? ›
Using bright colors and modern furniture, get creative by adding a small office, comfortable seating or areas to entertain. Of course, you probably love to entertain people more than greet them formally. Best of all, they are an easy reno for any colonial living room, making it modern.
A few of the most popular types of colonial architecture include French, Dutch, Spanish, and British, the latter of which is the style most commonly constructed in the United States. Colonial homes usually have a simple, minimalist rectangular shape and other distinctive features.
What was a typical Colonial house like? ›
Similar to the homes colonists lived in back in England, they're rectangular, typically two stories, and fairly symmetrical. They have steep, side-gabled roofs, which means the triangular portion of the roof is only visible from the sides; looking at the front door, you only see shingles.
What did the 13 colonies houses look like? ›
English settlers of the New England colonies built rustic and pragmatic homes with architectural elements borrowed from medieval England, like diamond pane windows and steep pitched roofs. Initially they framed their homes out of timber which eventually transitioned to brick, especially further south.
What is Colonial chic style? ›
Colonial chic is easy to recreate at home. Refresh your interior scheme with eclectic accessories, metallic accents and botanical artwork for an instant style update. Mix with a light and cool interior to complete the look. Soft whites and warm neutrals keep this style classic.
How do you identify colonial architecture? ›
Key Elements
- Square, symmetrical shape. Formality governs the Georgian Colonial. ...
- Five windows across front. ...
- Dental moldings along the eaves. ...
- Pedimented dormers sometimes jutted from the roof.
- Flattened columns on each side of door. ...
- Shutters.
Colonial architecture, prevalent from the 15th to mid-20th century, resulted from European colonialism in regions like the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It features characteristic design elements such as large columns, arches, domes, and intricate ornamentation.
What are the advantages of Colonial houses? ›
Pros Of Colonial-Style Houses
- Classic, timeless design has wide appeal and may ensure high resale value.
- Spacious, simple layouts make it easy to decorate rooms.
- Homes are typically two or three stories.
- Houses boast many cozy elements like fireplaces and intricate woodwork.
A colonial-style house is a testament to timeless elegance, characterized by its striking symmetry and refined details exuding a sense of grace. Colonial-style homes remain popular due to their comfortable interior layout and simple exterior facade.
What are the characteristics of a Colonial Revival house? ›
The most consistent Colonial Revival elements found in these buildings are building symmetry; hipped roofs that often intersected one another; the use of a single, decorative fan or Palladian windows located high-up in the gabled or pedimented (triangular end) of the roof; double-hung windows with decorative features ...
