Home style: dream houses in every US state
Dream houses across America
From the Creole townhouses of New Orleans to New York Brownstones, these stunning houses have become synonymous with their states. Here's a whistlestop tour of the architectural icons of America...
Plantation-style: Alabama
The state of Alabama adopted the I-house - a term coined because these styles of houses are found in Iowa. Illinois and Indiana - plan in the 17th century when British immigrants dominated the region. Typical of plantation-style homes, the I-house tends to have a long, one-storey front porch and a front-facing balcony. Built in 1844, this particular property in Union Springs was fashioned in the Greek Revival style.
Wooden frames: Alaska
No, Alaskans don’t live in igloos. In fact, you’re more likely to find them living in traditional wood-frame homes. Raised on stilts, this four-bedroom riverfront property features a wraparound deck for breathtaking views of the surrounding forested landscape.
Pueblo architecture: Arizona
Surrounded by miles of desert landscape, the homes of Arizona have taken inspiration from traditional Pueblo architecture. Clean lines and a stucco facade in neutral earth tones are a popular feature, while small windows shade the interior from the heat of the sun.
Traditional brick: Arkansas
The state of Arkansas adopted the traditional American brick houses from its earliest days of settlement and has continued to build in this style for generations. Symmetry is an underlying theme in this particular state, with Greek Revival elements, including columns, capitals and pediments proving to be particularly popular features.
Mediterranean mansions: California
Californian houses are most often inspired by Mediterranean architecture with stylistic features that include white plaster facades, clay tile roofs and rows of arcades. Homes tend to be bright and spacious with backyard pools for cooling down in the heat of the Californian sun. Built in 2017, this seven-bedroom home in Rancho Santa Fe features an outdoor pool, barbecue area and tennis courts.
Log cabins: Colorado
Colorado is famous for its snow-covered Rocky Mountains and ski resorts, so it’s no wonder the traditional log cabin is native to this particular state. Constructed out of wood, these rustic mountain homes tend to be raised on hillsides with upper-level balconies for spectacular views of the snowy mountain landscape.
Colonial-style: Connecticut
Connecticut is famous for its Colonial-style architecture. With a strong emphasis on symmetry, Colonial period architectural features include sweeping staircases, marble fireplaces and French doors.
Queen Anne-style: Delaware
Delaware embraced the Queen Anne style revival that produced these elaborate and decorative houses across America. Updated for modern living, this 19th-century property is unique in design due to the addition of Greek Revival columns that support its front porch.
Cracker homes: Florida
The Sunshine State is home to the Florida cracker home. With origins dating back to the mid-19th century, cracker homes are still popularly built today. These wood-frame houses are characterised by their thin metal roofs and raised verandas, which were traditionally used to shade occupants from the heat of the Florida sun.
Victorian villas: Georgia
Georgia is home to a range of architectural styles, from Victorian townhouses to modern villas, but it’s the colonial houses of the deep south that it’s most famously known for. Built in 1896, this home looks as though it belongs in a scene from Gone With the Wind.
Modern thatched: Hawaii
Taking influence from the native thatched house tradition, modern Hawaiian homes tend to be elevated, open and spacious. Wraparound verandas and large windows form a connection between interior and exterior spaces, heightening an indoor/outdoor living aesthetic, while allowing natural ventilation to circulate the property.
Wooden structures: Idaho
Idaho belongs to the cluster of mountain states where homes are surrounded by breathtaking views of stunning peaks, forests, rivers and lakes. Wood structured houses, whether traditional or modern, often feature large windows and spacious balconies to make the most of the great outdoors.
Prairie houses: Illinois
Illinois is most famously known for Frank Lloyd Wright’s modern Prairie houses. The most iconic of these is the Robie House in Chicago, which was built by the notable architect back in 1909. Prairie houses are characterised by their open-plan interiors, emphasis on horizontal lines and use of locally sourced materials.
Modernist style: Indiana
Indiana is famous for its modernist architecture, with prominent architects such as Eero Saarinen, Richard Meier and I.M Pei having constructed a number of iconic buildings in cities like Columbus. Built in 1956, this five-bedroom property is a modern interpretation of the American ranch house.
Moffitt cottages: Iowa
Originally built for low-income families, Iowa’s iconic Moffitt houses tend to be small, cosy and irregular in form. Built from 1916 to the mid-1930’s they’re considered to be some of America’s first ‘eco-homes’, as the materials used in their construction often consisted of salvaged parts collected from demolition sites.
Western ranches: Kansas
Kansas is home to ranch-style houses, which typically consist of a one-storey, rectangular-shaped structure that fuse modernist design elements with traditional Western values. Built in 1915, this house features a front porch and private patio that’s perfect for sitting back and watching the world go by.
Colonial red brick: Kentucky
Constructed in 1845, this elegant historic home was built in the Colonial style that dominated Kentucky and its surrounding regions during the mid to late 19th century. Situated on 10 acres of land, the red brick structure features a Classical-inspired facade with a large patio and columnar supports.
French Creole-style: Louisiana
Louisiana is famous for its French Creole architecture, with the finest examples dotted around the French Quarter of New Orleans. Inspired by Greek temple architecture, this light and elegant property isn’t as bulky as most British-inspired Colonial homes.
Gorgeous Georgian homes: Maine
New England has a rich architectural heritage that spans back to the mid-17th century. After more than 400 years of settlement anything from early Colonial to Victorian and modern building traditions can be found in the state of Maine. Built in 1830, this four-bedroom house features a number of Georgian elements, including an emphasis on symmetry in door and window placement. The odd number of windows on the second storey is typical of the period.
Cape Cod clapboard: Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to New England’s iconic Cape Cod-style houses. These quaint wood-framed properties were first introduced to North America during the Colonial era and are identified by their symmetrical exterior, steep roofs and shingle siding. This charming waterfront home overlooks Burncoat Pond in the idyllic town of Leicester.
English influence: Maryland
In contrast to French Creole Louisiana, the traditional architecture of Maryland took its influence from British Georgian architecture. Primarily built in red brick, these two-storey homes place a strong emphasis on symmetry and modest design, with simple yet elegant touches. This historic Georgian home is surrounded by beautifully landscaped English gardens.
Arts and crafts: Michigan
The 20th century saw the rise of Michigan’s dominance over the motor industry, which led to a building boom that reached its peak during the 1930s. Cities like Detroit gained a reputation for its civic building and skyscraper designs, but it’s the Art Deco and Arts and Crafts movement that the state is most famously known for. Built in 1928, this Tudor Revival house displays some of the finest intricate brickwork in the country. The property features a number of quaint Medieval-inspired elements
Spacious ranches: Minnesota
Minnesota has gained a reputation of being a house-proud state. With a rich architectural heritage that spans from Colonial to Victorian, Arts and Crafts and modern, its most popular building tradition is that of the ranch-style home. Spacious and wide, these traditional American houses are usually set low on one or two storeys.
Federal-style: Mississippi
The state of Mississippi is dotted with interesting examples of historic houses, from rickety shacks to stately plantation homes. Built in 1818 by renowned architect Levi Weeks, this elegant property is a prime example of a Southern planter’s Federal-style home. The facade features a Palladian arcade porch supported by white columns, semi-circular fanlight windows and an elaborately decorated front door.
Cute Craftsman homes: Missouri
Missouri is home to the American Craftsman bungalow, America’s native interpretation of the Arts and Crafts movement, which took the country by storm from 1930s onwards. Built in 1932, this red brick house features a low-pitched gabled roof, brick chimney, private front porch and well maintained gardens.
Alpine cabins: Montana
Montana is famous for its Aspen ski resorts, so it’s no wonder wooden cabins, rustic houses and rambler-style homes dominate the landscape. Built in 1916, this cosy cabin sits on the edge of the picturesque Swan Lake in Bigfork. A wraparound porch and patio makes the perfect setting for outdoor relaxation, while two original fireplaces keep the property warm on snowy nights.
Historic family houses: Nebraska
Nebraskan architecture has gone through a number of evolutions since the 19th century, however, it’s Victorian and Edwardian-style family homes that the state is well-known for. This elegant estate from 1910 features restored wooden floors and decorated fireplaces throughout. The house has been updated for modern living with the addition of a private patio and a two-car garage.
Italian-style: Nevada
Nevada is home to the traditional split-level house and often features a strong European influence, particularly Italian architecture. Adapted to take the heat of the Nevada sun, windows tend to be smaller to retain a cool interior cool. Houses are often painted in neutral tones and feature small balconies.
Modern Cape Cod-style: New Hampshire
New Hampshire shares a rich New England building tradition with Massachusetts, which is why you’ll most often find houses here built in the Cape Cod style. This modern interpretation of a Cape Cod home features a traditional shingle exterior with the addition of a columned front porch.
Colonial Dutch: New Jersey
Dutch settlement in New Jersey began as early as the mid 17th century, with many settlers choosing to build their homes in the Colonial Dutch style. Built in 1742, this red brick house is one of the oldest properties on the list. It contains many restored original features, including wide plank wooden flooring, crown mouldings and vintage fireplaces. Tall and narrow, it’s very similar to what you might find if you ever visit the Netherlands.
Pueblo Revival: New Mexico
Architecture in New Mexico takes inspiration from the Spanish missionaries that settled in the region from as early as the 17th century. Today, the most popular building style is Pueblo Revival, which made its debut during the 1920s and 30s. These adobe constructions consist of smooth stuccoed exteriors painted in neutral earth colours. Roofs are often flat and contain projecting wooden beams.
Brownstones: New York
New York is famous for its brownstone townhouses, which you’ll find spread across Brooklyn, Haarlem, Upper East and Upper West Manhattan. These houses are identified by their distinctive orange colour, which is due to a high concentration of iron found in the stone that was used to build them. Originally built for the 19th-century population boom, brownstones are often fashioned in the Classical Revival and Victorian styles.
British Georgian: North Carolina
North Carolina is home to some of the most impressive examples of British-inspired Georgian and Federal-style homes. Popularly built from the 18th century onwards, the main feature of these Colonial period houses is a strong focus on symmetry and proportion. This distinguished six-bedroom property retains all of its original features, including a sunroom, colonnaded terrace and landscaped gardens.
Elaborate woodwork: North Dakota
Take a trip to North Dakota and you’ll discover some of the finest examples of Victorian houses in the Queen Anne style. Post-Civil War advancements in machine cut technology meant that architects could build faster and with more elaborate detail than ever before. Built in 1891, this five-bedroom house has survived intact with intricately carved spindlework that is typical of the era.
Period charm: Ohio
Unlike most Midwestern states, Ohio takes its building tradition from the Northeast, where Cape Cod, rambler and Colonial building traditions flourished. Built in 1844, this beautiful Colonial home features a covered front porch with elegant window shutters. Inside, the property contains a number of restored period elements, including wooden floors, crown mouldings and series of fireplaces.
All-American dream: Oklahoma
The southern state of Oklahoma is known for its somewhat conservative and traditional style homes. Expect to find multi-storey houses with chimneys, large front lawns and white picket fences, basically everything you’d expect from an all-American home.
Cool cottages: Oregon
Oregon has had a sampling of almost every building tradition to date, from Victorian to Cape Cod, Tudor Revival and ranch-style houses, however, it’s the traditional cottage that remains popular in this state. Built in the 1930s, this adorable cottage is typical of the American Arts and Crafts movement. Nestled among the trees, the adorable two-storey property features a traditional red brick chimney and winding stone path.
Folk Victorian-style: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is known for its impressive Victorian architecture. Built in 1832, this stone and wood-framed Victorian Folk house has been decorated with elaborate spindlework and jigsaw-cut bargeboards. Set back from the main street, it’s ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
Providence architecture: Rhode Island
Though settlement in Rhode Island began as early as the 17th century, it’s the late 18th century Colonial style that dominates the region. This Federal-style property was built in the early 19th century by prominent architect John Holden Greene, who was responsible for over fifty striking buildings in Providence, Rhode Island. The house has since then been restored with some rooms retaining the original wallpaper the house was first decorated with.
Charleston half house: South Carolina
South Carolina, and especially the historic district of Charleston, has a rich architectural heritage that shouldn’t be missed. Though there are plenty of fine examples of Regency, Federal and Revivalist homes, the most popular building tradition is that of the Charleston half house (or single house). Built during the 18th and 19th centuries, these detached, two-storey homes feature a ‘false front door’ that leads onto a private piazza where the real entrance is located.
Fairytale turrets: South Dakota
South Dakota is most popularly known for its Italianate, Queen Anne and Folk Victorian architectural styles. Built in 1890, this fine example of a Queen Anne house was designed by renowned architect Wallace Dow. The two-storey home features a wraparound deck and spire which have been meticulously preserved to this day.
Craftsman bungalow: Tennessee
Tennessee is all about southern comforts, which is why traditional American building styles, such as bungalows, cabins and Craftsman houses have remained popular even in major cities like Nashville. Expect to find rows of picturesque houses, such as this Craftsman bungalow, which is surrounded by a well-maintained garden.
Modernist city houses: Texas
Expect to encounter a range of building traditions in Texas, ranging from barn houses to ranches, Colonial estates, Victorian mansions and modern homes. The economic boom of the 20th and 21st centuries led to prominent architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M Pei developing modern structures in big cities like Houston. These contemporary houses combine traditional building techniques with a modern aesthetic.
Period Revival: Utah
Utah is best known for its Period Revival building tradition. Built in 1938, this Colonial Revival house reflects the local and nationalistic pride that followed the First World War. Though there was a sudden urge to look back to classical American building traditions, it’s also believed that various European styles were brought back to the States by soldiers returning home from Europe.
Historic townhouses: Virginia
Virginia is popularly known for its British Colonial-style architecture, which encompasses sophisticated estates surrounded by acres of profitable land and smaller townhouses in prominent port towns. Built in 1752, this red brick townhouse in Alexandria is a prime example of Virginia’s historic building tradition.
Rustic retreats: Vermont
Popularly known for its ski resorts, expect to find plenty of ski lodges, cabins and rustic homes in this state. Built in 2008, this seven-bedroom log cabin home features a wraparound deck that offers spectacular views of the surrounding forested landscape.
Craftsman homes: Washington
Washington is home to the American Craftsman house. Built in 1923, this enchanting property is a fine example of the local Arts and Crafts building tradition. Beautifully restored features include a steeply pitched roof, decorative timbering, solid oak floors and a tiled fireplace.
Ashland Victorian: Wisconsin
Wisconsin is the state of brightly coloured Victorian homes. Typical stylistic features of Victorian-era properties in this region include an asymmetrical plan and plenty of ornamental detail. Located in the historic quarter of Ashland, this property retains many of its original features, including an ornately carved wooden staircase, maple hardwood floors and leaded glass windows.
Red brick elegance: West Virginia
If it’s a red brick Colonial estate that you’re after, West Virginia has some of the finest examples in the country. Built in 1867, this historic home features elegant window shutters and a picket fenced front porch.
Remote cabins: Wyoming
Ranches have been popular in Wyoming since the 1930s. Modelled on the traditional Western ranch-style home, this five-bedroom cabin offers panoramic views of Carter Mountain and the South Fork Valley, making this the ideal property for nature lovers. Ready for more property porn? Check out these homes for sale in America's cutest small towns.
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