Your house should feel like home, and it should look the part. Houston luxury real estate includes a large variety of architectural designs to choose from, so you’ll want to find the one that speaks to you. Here are some of Houston’s popular architectural styles you’ll see when viewing Houston luxury real estate.
Mediterranean Revival
Red clay tile roofs are a huge sign of Mediterranean Revival homes in Houston. This style became widely prominent in the United States during the early 20th century and is usually associated with white stucco exterior walls, clay tile roofs, arched windows, and magnificent wrought-iron balconies. These homes draw inspiration from Italian palazzos and seaside palaces, which imbue these properties with whimsical charm.
You can find homes in this style nearly everywhere you look in Houston! Houstons’ warm climate is perfect for the airiness that accompanies this architectural style. Categorized as a humid subtropical climate, Houstons’ many hot summer days and mild winters are perfect for walking out onto the balcony.
French Country
French Country architecture pairs so well with Texas stone, that it is no surprise that this style is widely popular throughout Houston luxury real estate. This architectural trend originated in rural France by combining dreamy chateaux design with rustic farmhouse practicality. Today, you’ll recognize French Country designs in Houston by their high-pitched roofline, exposed and often distressed wooden beams in living spaces, and stone elements such as exterior walls or indoor fireplaces. Quintessentially French blue wooden shutters on the exterior are a clear giveaway when you’ve found a French Country home. This style is soft, romantic, and feminine and everyday living in a French Country home can feel like a daydream.
French Country style homes aim to embody the cottage-like ambiance of homes in Provence, France, and this refined country aesthetic combines elegance with simplicity. Homes in this style are often hidden in plain sight, a gem in every neighborhood.
American Colonial Style
American Colonial style architecture dates as far back as the 1600s when America was colonized. True American Colonial homes reside in the thirteen original British colonies, but the style was so popular that it influenced design across the country for centuries. What we often associate with Colonial architecture became popularized in the 1800s, and it was used extensively for both residential and commercial real estate until the twentieth century. You can recognize Colonial homes by their typically flat facades, central doorways surrounded by symmetrical windows, and gabled roofs. These homes are almost exclusively two or three stories-rather than a single story. Brick exteriors are common, as well as horizontal siding. In Houston, most Colonial-style homes have added a roofed porch to the front facade, which is an excellent tool for shading the entryway from the heavy Texas sun.
At their heart, American Colonial-style homes are simple but effective. Their subdued elegance is easily adaptable to your personal interior design preferences, and their traditional layouts make add-ons simple to incorporate if you desire more space.
Ranch Style Homes
Contrary to its rustic name, it isn’t uncommon to see luxurious ranch-style homes in Houston. These homesteads are single-story houses with low-pitched roofs and wide layouts that make them easily navigable. Mixed materials create depth and body in the architecture, like combining stucco and stone, or brick and wood, for added curbside interest. Often, these homes have overhanging eaves paired with oversized windows to amplify natural light. These homes often have plenty of access points to the backyard, connecting them with the landscape. This style can be as reserved or ornate as desired, allowing plenty of flexibility for personal taste. Several of these can be seen in Spring Branch and Meyerland.
Modern
Modern Architecture popularized between 1900 and 1950, this boxy kind of dwelling often has asymmetrical exteriors, minimal moldings and integrated outdoor spaces. To spot these in town, check out some of the newer residences in Houston’s most desirable areas, including Montrose and River Oaks, where old properties are being torn down to accommodate this style.
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