If you’ve road-tripped across the United States or even just spent some time in a different part of the country, you’ve probably noticed that real estate varies greatly from state to state.
While four-story condos or tiny sky-rise apartments seem to be all the rage close to larger cities like Washington DC, New York, or Boston, larger, more expensive homes are what most will find in suburbs where most families move to raise a family with more space to grow.
From changes in home prices and square footage to idealistic locations and must-have community features, everyone seems to want something a little different depending on the state and precise location they decide to live.
As most of us are current or potential residents of Massachusetts or the New England area, small-town neighborhoods are kind of our thing. Depending on what part of the state you live in, you’ve probably noticed that Massachusetts is the perfect mix of small-town charm with easy access to big cities filled with history and culture. It’s truly the best of both worlds in one small but mighty state.
Now, most of us are familiar with how neighborhoods are laid out in New England, but there is a lot to know about the overall home style in this area of the country. From ranches to colonial, we have a bit of everything for everyone when it comes to our home structures.
If you’re new to the area or simply hoping to better understand home styles in the Bay State region, we are here to help you understand the different styles you may see when you explore your next home purchase with us.
Here are the top 5 home styles in Massachusetts and New England.
- Ranch
One of the most popular suburban home styles, a ranch, is a single-level style home introduced in the 1920s as a more economical way to house your family in a newly developed suburban area of town.
Following World War II, ranches were appealing based on their ease of build, flexibility in design, and low cost. Ranch-style homes are one of the main reasons many families moved from the cities into the suburbs, growing the suburban area considerably.
Ranches are simple in design, boasting clean lines and a simple color palette, without the need for many intricate design elements. Many of these homes utilize an L-shaped floor plan. They also include an attached one or two-car garage.Other ranch features often include a patio with a sliding door, a covered front porch, and a pitched roof.Most floor plans range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet of living space.
- Split Level
This home style can be found throughout the New England area and are especially prevalent in Western Massachusetts.
Considered an upgraded modification to the traditional ranch-style home, the split level gained traction in the late 1950s.
Like a ranch, a split level includes all of the same elements but has a larger floor plan. In addition to the added space, there is an upper and lower level divided at the entry.
This type of home is split into three separate areas: a basement, an upper level that includes the kitchen and living room, and a sleeping wing that includes all bedrooms.
In most cases, basements in split-level homes are renovated to add more living space.
- Cape Cod
This home style can be found trickled through small towns and coastal cities in New England. They have been around since England colonized America and are often referred to as “capes” for short.
Gaining traction in home design in the early 1930s, many capes originally built in the 1600s were remodeled to fit the living space and requirements of the new age.
The most popular features found in cape homes include wood or brick siding, a one-and-a-half story design, wide shutters, a gabled roof, a single chimney, and a centered front door.
The floorplan in each cape is identical and follows this scheme:
A hallway extends from the front to the back of the home and opens to each room throughout the house on the left and right sides. - Colonial
The most popular two-story design, colonial homes, can be found throughout the country.
Featuring either two or three stories, these homes typically have between three and five bedrooms making them ideal for larger families or those looking for more space.
Colonial-style homes feature similar floorplans and are often laid out like this:
- The first floor is the living area, including a den, a kitchen, and a half or full bath.
- The second story houses all of the bedrooms and one to two bathrooms.
- The third can include an additional bedroom or attic area.
Other features include one to two brick chimneys, a front entryway, a high-pitched roof, crown molding, and other more intricate design features to boost their overall elegance and pride in design.
- Victorian
Gaining popularity in the early 1900s due to new manufacturing techniques, the Victorian home is a staple American style, based on styles found in England during Queen Victoria’s reign.
Victorians feature elaborate and unique design elements, including:
- Turrets
- Specialized shingle shapes
- Gabled roofs
- Bay windows
- Non-symmetrical floor plans
- Round angles
- Towers and dormers
- Stained glass
- Decorative woodwork
- Kitchens at the back
- Surrounding gardens
They are often designed and painted in eye-catching colors that vary throughout the interior and exterior.
Some have coined them “gingerbread houses” because of their intricate design elements by many. Think of the famous Painted Ladies homes in San Francisco for the idealistic Victorian style.
The states that make up the New England region are filled with the vast history of the United States, which can be found in the home designs that still pop up on the market.
Massachusetts boasts homes from all eras that have both been perfectly restored or kept in their original state for homeowners of the future to enjoy and make their own memories in.
If you are in the market for a new home or hoping to decide on your ideal home style this year, we can help. Whether you love the idea of a victorian or are interested in the simplicity of a ranch, let’s work together to find you the perfect home design for your lifestyle and family.
