When building a new home or remodeling an old house, one of the first decisions to make is which architectural style you will choose. Choosing a style first will help guide all of the big decisions like design plans, material selections, color choices, and more. Choosing an architectural style can be difficult, especially if you’re unsure which style is right for you. The architects at our Austin, Texas studio will be giving tips for discovering your unique design style and some popular architectural styles for inspiration.

Tips for Choosing an Architectural Style for Your New Home

Everyone has a design style, even if you’re unsure what it is or what to call it. If you’re not sure what you gravitate towards or don’t know all the styles out there, don’t try to label yourself. Instead, take some time for discovery and start making lists and collections of elements you like. Here’s how to get started.

Tour Homes and Discover Style Elements You Like

Tour homes and take note of their architectural styles and specific design elements you like. You can do this by simply driving through neighborhoods or attending open houses. Seeing homes in person will help give you a better idea of the look and feel of certain design styles and material choices. Snap pictures and take notes of what you like and dislike.

Create Inspiration Boards

Inspiration boards are a great way to organize your thoughts and discover common design themes. You can create a physical board using magazine clippings or create digital boards on Houzz or Pinterest. At DK Studio, we love using Houzz to create Ideabooks with our clients. It is an easy and efficient way to collaborate.

Look for Common Themes and Details

Once you have a collection of images, materials, and colors, take some time to analyze your inspiration boards and look for common themes and details. Are you gravitating towards homes with front porches, built-ins, and lots of character? Your style may be Craftsman! An architect will also be able to help look over your inspiration boards and help identify common themes and styles.

Identify Architecture Styles that Meet Your Needs

After completing the above steps, you will be able to identify your architectural style and put a name to it. Remember, it is ok to combine elements from more than one style. Homes that pair modern lines with traditional materials fall into their own category of “transitional” style. Once you’ve identified your style, it will be easier to communicate design with your architect and select materials to achieve the look.

Learn the Different Architecture Styles to Choose From

To identify an architectural style, you need to know the different styles out there. It is helpful to learn common architectural style names and the distinct elements they include. Here are seven popular styles we love to work with and the key features of each.

Modern

Modern style homes feature clean lines and minimal detail. They may feature more industrial materials, like concrete, glass, and tile, rather than traditional elements like carved wood details. Modern architecture also tends to value open concept living and indoor-outdoor connections. This is the perfect style for people who love a clean and simple environment without fussy frills.

Hill Country Rustic

In Texas, we have a lot of clients who gravitate towards the Hill Country Rustic style. This style contains elements of German architecture, old-world charm, and a warm Texan feel. Elements will include stone facades, German schmear brick, and exposed wood. This is an excellent option for people who want to embrace Texan heritage or achieve a peaceful country look.

Mission

The Mission style is another popular look in Texas. This style takes elements of the Spanish style and will feature clay tile roofs, stucco or plaster, arches, ironwork, tile floors, exposed beams, and simple decorative trims. Mission architecture is perfect for people looking to achieve a feeling of warmth and history in their home.

English Cottage

The English Cottage is a popular style that we are seeing utilized more and more. This warm and cozy style features timeless details like pitched roofs, stone facades, and asymmetry. The materials needed to achieve this design can be expensive, but the style is enduring. This is an excellent option for people who want to blend elegant and casual looks.

Craftsman

The Craftsman style is one of the most popular architectural styles in America. Craftsman houses showcase front porches, gabled roofs, exposed beams, squared columns, and many interior built-ins. This cozy look is great for practical family living because it offers usable exterior spaces and defined rooms for multiple tasks.

Colonial

Colonial homes offer symmetry, round columns, and brick facades that convey a sense of stability and elegance. Many homeowners gravitate to this look because of the formal and balanced feel it offers. Colonial homes also typically feature defined formal spaces for dining and living, making it a great floor plan for entertaining.

Ranch

Ranch homes are classic and practical. These houses are typically one story and offer a simple design with brick or siding, picture windows, and low profile facades. Floor plans are generally split, creating a defined section of the home for living spaces with bedrooms on the opposite side. Ranch homes are great for families and can take on small touches of many different style elements.

Don’t Pick Trendy Architectural Styles

When picking a design style, beware of architectural trends. Many homeowners get caught up in trends they see on television and in magazines. They make a hasty decision to go with what’s popular before deciding if it is something they like and can live with for decades. In recent years, the farmhouse style has dominated architecture trends. However, we are starting to see a decline in its popularity, with homeowners wanting to remodel their spaces after a few short years of living with the look. Trends come and go, but your personal style will endure forever. Don’t pick a trendy style unless you are sure you will love it for years to come.

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