The Charles Pointe rendering with gray shingles, white board and batten and metal roof above the porch blog main photo image.

Custom Home Design Styles

Some customers have dreams of a quaint farmhouse, while others want a more contemporary home. Whatever the customers’ vision, a custom home builder like American Heritage Homes can capture it. While categorizing homes into styles can sometimes create confusion, we’ve frequently incorporated our floor plans into the following design styles.  

Brown Pinehurst design with stained gable bracket and cream trim.

Cottage

Originating in England, Cottage-style homes feature steep roof pitches, decorative gables and give attention to window shapes and trim. These cozy, comfortable designs come with loads of curb appeal. But don’t let the name cottage fool you into thinking these homes are limited to a small footprint. Larger cottage-style homes rely on elements such as spacious front porches or dormers like the Delaware Bay.

Craftsman 

Born out of the Arts and Crafts movement, Craftsman-style homes often have low-pitched roofs with wide eave overhangs and decorative beams under the gables. Tapered or square columns typically frame large, covered porches. With loads of curb appeal, craftsman home designs blend turn-of-the-century nostalgia with today’s large, open living spaces. Floor plans like the Barrington and Mannington are great examples of Craftsman designs.

Farmhouse

Meadowbrook house photo with large wrap around porch, gray shingles and white siding.

With the rural areas and agricultural history throughout Ohio, it’s no surprise that the farmhouse style is so popular. Today’s farmhouse designs are often seen with white exteriors

complemented by a pop of color – a dark roof, black windows, or other dark-colored accents. In addition, farmhouse-style designs feature a mixture of building materials similar to the Meadowbrook with its mix of horizontal and vertical siding and metal and shingle roof.

New American 

New American home designs blend architectural features from various home styles, creating an entirely new look. These uniquely “American” designs feature a welcoming, open, uninterrupted floor plan that helps with effortless entertaining. An owner’s suite with a private bath and walk-in closet(s), and large kitchen pantries are just a few features that encompass the New American style of homes. You can find over fifteen New American designs in our portfolio.

Formal 

Sometimes referred to as Neoclassical, Formal style homes focus on symmetry. Evenly spaced windows, a brick exterior, and a formal entry are critical elements of this style. Reflecting the beauty of classic architecture, Formal home designs evoke a sense of grandeur. The Piedmont, designed to be reminiscent of Jefferson’s Monticello estate, is the perfect representation of a Neoclassical /Formal style.

Rendering of the Charlevoix with light brown trim and dark brown siding.

Victorian 

Victorian-style homes were initially constructed more for beauty than functionality with ornate trim, large porches, and multi-faceted rooflines. Inspired by the Industrial Revolution, steep, gabled roofs and towers or turrets can be found in Victorian home designs. The Charlevoix encompasses these elements with its two-story, 2,852-square-foot design.

Even though our floor plans are categorized into these exterior styles, as a custom home builder, all of our designs can be personalized to ensure you get the home of your dreams. Click here to see all of our floor plans.