Since it was founded in 1607, Virginia has witnessed many of America’s most significant events, including the American Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Industrial Revolution. With every wave of history, new architectural styles emerged and earlier styles evolved. 

Near the nation’s capital in Northern Virginia, experimentation with design welcomed the Victorian and modern movements. Meanwhile, Virginia’s coastal areas feature everything from beach cottages to colonial revival homes, reflecting the legacy of the English settlers. 

Whether you’re drawn to a tech career near D.C. or a peaceful life in the Appalachian mountains, there are plenty of reasons to buy a home in Virginia. Yet, with its rich history, you may not be aware of the diversity of architecture throughout Virginia. 

To help in your search, the team from Prevu Real Estate has curated a quick guide for homebuyers seeking to acquaint themselves with the most prevalent home styles in Virginia.

Types of homes in Virginia

• Colonial Revival

• Ranch 

• Farmhouse

• Victorian 

• Modern 

• Tudor 

• Cottage

Colonial Revival 

In 1876, the World's Fair in Philadelphia used a replica of the Ford Mansion in New Jersey, which had served as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War. That sparked a wave of popularity for Colonial Revival homes which lasted well into the early 1900s. 

Colonial Revivals feature brick facades and elegant entryways as their focal point. Surrounding the entrance, you'll often find a decorative pediment supported by classical-inspired columns. Multi-pane windows with louvered shutters are arranged symmetrically across the home's facade, with matching dormers punctuating the roofline. 

Colonial homes usually have two stories with elegant interiors that echo the symmetry of the exterior. You'll often find vaulted foyers, wainscoting, grand staircases, and hardwood floors as you pass through the door. 

Ranch  

The Ranch, also called the Rambler, is an American-born home style which originated in California in the 1920s. The style surged in popularity following WWII, when postwar prosperity drove suburban growth on undeveloped land in the U.S. As suburban homes and cars became readily available, Ranch homes provided buyers with a wide-open homestyle. 

Virginia's abundant farmland was an ideal canvas for developing Ranch-style homes, which are known for having large plots of land, sizable footprints, and attached garages. Though California ranches often use stucco or wood exteriors, brick or vinyl siding is favored in Virginia due to the state's humid climate.

Ranch-style homes are typically single-story, with low-pitched roofs extending over expansive, covered front porches. Many homes boast L or U-shaped layouts, and include private outdoor patios or courtyards in the rear. Oversized windows and sliding glass doors often flood these homes with natural light, helping to blend outdoor and indoor living spaces.

Farmhouse

Considering Virginia's rich agricultural tradition, it's no surprise farmhouses are one of the state's popular home styles. Design elements blend a myriad of influences from the original homes of Dutch, German, and English farmers. As the centuries progressed, farm-style homes became prevalent in the countryside and the suburbs. 

Raw materials are usually preferred in the construction of farmhouses. For example, roofs are typically covered in metal sheeting, while simple horizontal shiplap or vertical board-and-batten planks are used for siding. 

Wide porches bordered by wooden railings are another design hallmark, providing space to store firewood or to relax in a rocking chair. Large, multi-pane windows with decorative shutters allow ample natural light to fill the home. 

Inside, you may find Exposed Wooden Beams, high ceilings, fireplaces, and wide-planked wood floors. Finally, the kitchen often serves as the heart of the home's interior, with apron-front sinks, butcher block countertops, and pendant lighting fixtures. 

Victorian 

This homestyle derives its name from Queen Victoria's reign in England from 1837 to 1901. Compared to the farmhouse's rugged design features, victorian-era homes flaunt their detailed, opulent exteriors.

Enabled by the Industrial Revolution, builders gained access to materials that were previously inaccessible. This allowed the rising middle class to afford design elements such as gingerbread trim, stained glass windows, and balconies, which are common in Victorian homes. 

As a result, Victorian houses in Virginia often resemble miniature castles, complete with conical turrets, intersecting rooflines, bay windows, and wrap-around porches. Likewise, Victorian interiors reflect the extravagance of the exterior, with high ceilings, intricate moldings, and dark wood detailing. 

While Victorian homes exist all across Virginia, they are more numerous in towns that once hosted Victorian-era railroads. Keep an eye open for these storybook dwellings in older cities such as Bristol, Richmond, Alexandria, and Charlottesville. 

Modern

Like Victorian homes, modern architecture began as a revolution of materials and technology, yet unlike Victorian houses, modern architecture emphasizes function over decor. The modern homes of Virginia emerged when steel, sheet glass, and reinforced concrete became available in the 20th Century. 

The result was a unique style that embraced clean, simple lines and energy efficient floor plans. Modern homes tend to have flat or slightly sloped roofs, breaking away from traditional pitched roof designs of the past. Similarly, large floor-to-ceiling windows help create a natural fusion between indoor and outdoor spaces. 

Modern interiors also benefited from advances in engineering. Whereas traditional construction relied on interior walls to support the roof, modern homes use large steel beams to span large distances. This technology allowed architects to adopt open floor plans and, quite often, the living area and kitchen seamlessly flow with minimalist cabinetry and large islands. 

If you're hunting for modern homes in Virginia, you'll most likely find them in the cities surrounding Washington, D.C., such as Reston and Alexandria. 

Tudor

While some folks embraced industrialization, others sought to renew designs of a bygone era. The Tudor-style homes that emerged across the U.S. are a perfect example. 

Major cities like Richmond, Arlington, and Charlottesville saw a revival of Tudor-style homes during the early 20th Century. 

A noteworthy feature of Tudor architecture is the vertical, half-timbered facades contrasted by cream or beige plaster to highlight the exposed wooden beams. Tall chimneys, multiple gables, and dormer windows that intersect with a steeply pitched roof are all stand-out features of the Tudor style. 

Though Tudor exteriors often feature stone-themed designs, the interiors embrace a warmer ambiance. Wooden beams grace the ceilings throughout the home, while rich wood paneling covers the walls. Cozy nooks, leaded windows, and ornate fireplaces are also characteristic of Tudor homes, enhancing their homey aesthetic.  

Cottage

The term "cottage" originated in England during the Middle Ages, when farmers were known as "cotters," who passed on their nickname to the now-popular home style. In the United States, the concept expanded to include countryside vacation homes, beach getaways, and cozy suburban dwellings. 

While cottages are typically small, single-story homes, they tend to have abundant style. Similar to craftsman homes, cottages have prominent, welcoming porches. On these homes, you’re likely to see gingerbread trim and ornamental brackets. Similarly, an inviting front door might feature an arched top or gabled entrance. 

As you enter, you might find exposed wooden beams adorning the ceiling with wide-planked wooden floors to match. The living room is usually centered around a stone or brick fireplace, while the kitchen showcases butcher block countertops and open shelving. Bedrooms and bathrooms often have sloped ceilings following the outer roof eaves. As a result, dormer windows are used to enhance the interior by providing additional headroom.

Bright color schemes are frequently used to amplify the cottage's quaint aesthetic. You’ll see coral pinks, seafoam green, and sky blue in beachside towns like Cape Charles or Virginia Beach, where they were initially vacation homes.

Homes for sale in Virginia

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