A 1920's Colonial

House Styles by Jackie Craven

Colonial Revival Style
(Colonial Style)
1876 - c. 1955

Colonial Revival Home
© Dr. Thomas Paradis
Architectural Styles of America



Expressing American patriotism and a return to classical architectural styles, Colonial Revival became one of the most popular house styles in the United States. Does your house reflect the Colonial Revival style? Here's how to tell.
Colonial Revival Style
(Colonial Style)
1876 - c. 1955


Colonial Revival Home
© Dr. Thomas Paradis
Architectural Styles of America

Colonial Revival houses have many of these features:
• Symmetrical façade
• Rectangular
• 2 to 3 stories
• Gable roof
• Overhanging upper story
• Pillars and columns
• Multi-pane, double-hung windows with shutters
• Dormers
• Temple-like entrance: porticos topped by pediment
• Paneled doors with sidelights and topped with rectangular transoms or fanlights
• Center entry-hall floor plan
• Entertaining rooms on first floor and bedrooms on upper floors
• Fireplaces
• Made of brick or wood
• Simple, classical detailing
About the Colonial Revival Style
Colonial Revival became a popular American house style after it appeared at the 1876 the US Centennial Exposition. Reflecting American patriotism and a desire for simplicity, the Colonial Revival house style remained popular until the mid-1950's. Between World War I and II, Colonial Revival was the most popular historic revival house style in the United States.
Some architectural historians say that Colonial Revival is a Victorian style; others believe that the Colonial Revival style marked the end of the Victorian period in architecture. The Colonial Revival style is based loosely on Federal and Georgian house styles, and a clear reaction against excessively elaborate Victorian Queen Anne architecture. Eventually, the simple, symmetrical Colonial Revival style became incorporated into the Foursquare and Bungalow house styles of the early 20th century.
Subtypes of the Colonial Revival House Style
• Dutch Colonial
Two-story house made of clapboard or shingles with a gambrel roof, flared eaves, and a side-entry floor plan.
• Spanish Colonial Revival
Low-pitched ceramic tile roof, stucco walls, eaves with little or no overhang, wrought iron, and windows and doorways with round arches.
Related House Styles
• Federal House Styles
• Georgian House Styles
• Colonial Styles: An overview, from Realtor Magazine Online