Home Styles That Fit Your Life

Reaching the next stage of your life and choosing your ideal planned amenity community means asking yourself tough questions. What type of community do you prefer? Where is your ideal location? What amenities are you hoping to find? Among these questions, you should also ask yourself: what style of home you would be happy living in?

Architectural design involves more than pure aesthetics. The right home can elevate important values, like easily accessing nature or hosting family and friends. For example, homebuyers in 2022 are looking for additional outdoor space and patios more than ever before, as open spaces have become increasingly important in our day-to-day lives.

Architectural design can also spark a renewed sense of adventure and offer you a new way to move through life. Imagine moving from a ranch-style home into a Mediterranean design. Would the sunlit rooms of your new villa-inspired home inspire a love of

By Cecilia Beard

leisure? Or, would you be better suited to live in an easy, no-fuss cottage? Architectural design can also simplify your life by doing away with fuss and frills, like one too many staircases.

While there are countless design styles — and even more variations of these established styles — all planned amenity communities follow strict architectural standards. Most of today’s planned community homes, in line with current homebuyers’ preferences, feature open floor plans, large kitchens, and plenty of outdoor living space. With these house fundamentals checked off your list, focus on choosing an architectural style in line with the life you hope to lead.

Let’s explore the top 12 architectural styles found in planned communities so you can find your perfect home, inside and out.

Cozy Cottages

Cottage-style homes are known for their cozy, comfortable atmosphere and are among the most popular designs in developments throughout the United States. These easy-to-manage abodes sit around 1,700 square feet and prioritize simplicity with just one to one and a half floors. Popularized during the Arts and Craft movement in England, cottage designs pay close attention to craftsmanship and detail, boasting intricate archways, large windows, and often a small covered porch. Though not as rustic as Farmhouse-style homes, cottages have a certain pastoral feel. However, this style does have a fair amount of variation, ranging from vintage to Victorian to Southern, each with its own flair.

Cottage-style houses are the ideal home for those looking for a no-fuss option. These homes’ open floor plans offer an inviting atmosphere with an easy transition between kitchen, dining, and living rooms with bedrooms off these main living areas. So, whether you’re hosting a neighborly dinner party or snuggled into the couch with your latest read, the space offers the flexibility to do as you please.

Timeless Craftsman

One of the most enduring architectural styles is the Craftsman. As the name suggests, these homes emphasize build quality and attention to detail. Also originating during the Arts and Crafts movement, Craftsman homes are easily recognized by their stout columns, overextended roofs, covered porch, and squat build. In addition, they’re known for their harmony with the natural surroundings, opting for stone, brick, and wood materials inside and outside the home.

Like cottages, Craftsman homes are great for homebuyers looking for a conservatively sized space, but they can be quite large. These designs can be one to two stories tall. They underscore a warm, artisan feel with their use of natural materials and homey wood features. In a Craftsman, you can easily host family dinners in your spacious dining room, curl up with a good book in the den, or relax on the front porch overlooking a warm summer evening.

Farmhouse Chic

Rustic charm abounds! Farmhouse-style houses are known for their minimalism, gable roof, and large, wrap-around porches. You can absolutely plant a little garden and eat a lot of peaches while living in these homes. If you’re looking for a blank canvas, a Farmhouse-style home’s simplicity is your perfect match. The open floor plan and streamlined interior make it easy to add a personal touch. This architectural design puts functionality above all else.

Inside, farmhouse homes typically feature more rustic elements, like exposed wood beams and neutral hues. Natural light enthusiasts will also be pleased with these homes’ many large vertical windows. Farmhouse-style houses open with a foyer and lead into spacious living rooms and kitchens. Depending on the number of floors (one and one-half to two), bedrooms either nestle beside these common spaces or sit on the top floor of the house.