The Traditional House: “America’s Style” Plan Creates a Warm and Welcoming Home

Simplistic Design and Classic Good Looks, Traditional House Plans – or America’s Style – Offer Warmth, Comfort and Modern Touches

While sometimes unfairly dismissed as a “no-style” plan, the traditional house design has evolved into something very popular and adaptable. Experts have even depicted the traditional house plan style as a “pacesetting style”- one that bridged the classic –think Tudor and cottage styles - with the joys of modern living - think ranch style. Some experts also describe this as “transitional” or “new traditional” style.

It is perhaps the most difficult architectural design to describe because it is an amalgam of several styles. Try a mix of Colonial, Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, Ranch, Tudor, and Victorian. One of the more prevalent styles in the U.S. and Canada, the traditional house is designed to accommodate the American way of life – practical, flexible, accessible, comfortable, and welcoming. 

Traditional homes display a casual, relaxed, homey, and friendly feel that is pure American. No wonder they are often referred to as American house plans.

Features of the Traditional House Plan Style 

The traditional house plan can be as simple and functional as a “first” home or as elaborate as a country estate. They are usually single-level structures – although there are some two- or three-story traditional homes. Since several architectural styles are mixed together in a traditional house, its features are not as cut-and-dried as other house plans. However, you can look around your neighborhoods and try to spot some of these characteristics that emphasize comfort, the informal, and innovative.

>  Simple, often hip rooflines; brick or stucco exteriors with paint colors ranging from basic white, earth tones, soft blues, gray, and sometimes, yellow

>  Graceful architectural lines with little decorative elements

>  Covered porches, open foyers, “bare essentials” entryways

>  Symmetrical windows; gables

>  Open floor plans, blending large kitchens and living rooms for small and/or large family get-togethers

>  Lofts, bonus rooms, family room, den

>  Fireplaces, sunrooms – and in keeping with the 21^st century – a home office, recreation/entertainment room, or even a media room

>  Sometimes detached garages

A Bit of History

The unstable economy and volatile world conditions during the Great Depression and immediately after World War II compelled Americans to build affordable and durable homes. Style and artistry barely entered the picture at the time – instead families focused on the basic and practical, but nonetheless, pleasing and charming. 

Built from 1925 to 1950, these homes were very simple, no-frills one story, two-to-three bedroom structures described by experts as “minimal” traditional. Although rather small – around 800 square feet – these traditional homes were made of the same superior quality materials, such as brick, stone/limestone, wood, and metal siding, as the bigger and more expensive styles.

Either square or rectangular in shape, these traditional homes had small porches and awnings, a front-facing gable above the entryway, attractive windows, and on occasion, a chimney or two, and some decorative touches. While the accent was always on the functional and comfortable, their designs allowed plenty of room for innovation. They constructed attics that were high enough to be converted into extra bedrooms or additional sleeping space.

Take a look at these traditional home plans and more from The Plan Collection’s Traditional Houses & House Plans … and toss out that opinion of the traditional house as boring and dull.

So, have you looked closely at the houses on your street? Any traditional houses with new house plans in your neighborhood that stand out? Is there a renovated or refurbished original “America’s house plan” around the corner?