If you’re wondering how to tell what style your home is, a few basic details can steer you in the right direction.

• When was it built? Different styles were popular during different eras. Identifying vintage can give you a starting point.
• Where do you live? Certain styles reign supreme in certain locales. Sometimes, the style is unique to the place — architects call this the local vernacular.
• What shape is your roof? Some roofs are steep and feature details like dormers or even turrets, some have a lower pitch, and some are flat.
• How many stories is your home? The number of stories is often consistent across homes of a particular style.
• What shape is your home? Architects describe the shape, form, and size of a building as it’s “massing.” A simpler way to think about this could be its silhouette.
• Is it more ornate or more austere? Broadly speaking, ornate styles are more traditional and historic, while austere styles are more modern. 
• What material(s) is it made from? This could have to do with what was available in the place where the style originated or how the style was interpreted locally.
• What types of windows and doors does it have? Generally, more traditional homes will feature more details while more modern homes will be stripped down.  

It’s also common for homes to blend elements from multiple styles, so if your home doesn’t fit neatly into one category, that’s okay. Mixed architectural styles are common and can still guide your design decisions. Our Home Style Library can help you compare features and find the closest match.