With all the preparation and excitement that comes with the home-buying process, it’s important not to let finding the right architectural style for your home get lost in the shuffle. Depending on what route you decide to go, the building style of your home is important in how it presents your interests and desires.

With a wide array of home styles available to you as a homebuyer, it is important to do some research into those that captivate you most. Whether you’re looking for an older style colonial, or a more modern architectural look, knowing the practicality of each as it relates to you and your family is vital in making the right decision. Here are just a few of the most popular styles you’ll find when hunting for your next home:

Art Deco

The Art Deco style is interesting because it provides a mix of near-modern and old-style perceptions. Influenced primarily by Miami Beach- and Hollywood-style homes, Art Deco is known for its smooth walls, bold exterior decor, and flat roofs on each floor. The variation of influences allows for a unique look unlike many other homes on the market.

Contemporary

Although similar in many ways to modern style homes, contemporary homes are distinct in a variety of ways. Both modern and contemporary portray a connection between the indoor and outdoor parts of the home, but contemporary styles place heavy focus on how the home is built.

Contemporary homes are generally constructed with an emphasis on sustainable building materials, utilizing natural lighting, higher energy-efficiency, and other such eco-friendly factors. When looking at homeowners insurance quotes online via comparison portals like CoverHound, you may notice that contemporary homes can also benefit you in greatly reducing your monthly premiums.

Dutch Colonial

Dutch Colonial architecture resembles the old-style homes of early settlers, and draws a great deal of influence from these traditional homes. Oftentimes this style features a double doorway at the front, flared eaves and hoods over entranceways, and an openness that allows a natural breeze to enter the home. In some cases, these homes are referred to as “barn houses,” due to their similarity to barn structures.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern design is ideal for those looking for new, sleek styles. Influenced heavily by the architecture of post-World War II era, these homes are characterized by their vast open spaces and large windows that allow natural light to flood the home. Given the influence of mid-20th century appeal, these homes were built with materials that were more accessible at the time, such as steel and plywood. The focus on simplicity and integration with the outdoors gives them a unique feel for any homebuyer.

Greek Revival

Inspired by early Greek architecture, this style focuses on revitalizing the symmetrical and column-based traits of older style homes. The Greek Revival form can be denoted by the tall columns surrounding the exterior, bold and unique embellishments, and often white plastered exterior. However, if you’re looking for the Greek Revival style, it likely won’t be found in urban areas, and requires searching in locations that feature larger estates.

Townhouse

Townhouses became immensely popular in the earlier parts of the 19th century due to increased demand for housing and low financial costs of building. These homes are generally found in urban areas and characterized by their traditional layouts, focusing more on practicality and lesser-so on large open spaces.

Spanish

Spanish-style homes are inspired by older architecture, specifically the missions and churches established by Spanish missionaries of the early 20th century. These homes are an off-shoot of the Mediterranean style homes, and integrate a focus on arched corridors and flowery designs.

Finding the right style of home for you is a crucial step in house hunting. Although not all architectural designs may be available in the location you’re looking, it is important to understand the pros and cons that come with each style to ensure your final decision is well-informed. Keep in mind that each home has its own distinct features and benefits, and figuring out which one is most compatible with your lifestyle is the key to finding a true keeper.