Dreaming of a new house? As we welcome the New Year, our minds naturally turn to new beginnings and fresh starts. For many, this includes the long-held dream of a new home. So, let’s explore what architectural styles are being sketched by professionals. After all, they respond to the demand from prospective homeowners who request these sought-after home styles and interior design features.
Popular Architectural Styles
According to the search data, these architectural styles were the most popular in the recent past, listed here not in any particular order:
- Modern Farmhouse: despite all predictions, it is still one of the top contenders, offering rustic country charm, space, and modern adaptability (a.k.a. barndominium with shop).
- Mid-Century Modern: popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s of the last century, it is known for its clean lines, simplicity, and functionality, with a great connection between indoor/outdoor spaces.
- Cottage: cozy and charming style with nostalgic homage to early 1900s designs, offering warmth, vintage decor, and character in the interior, but with modern amenities.
- Contemporary Minimalist: offering simplicity, clean lines, functionality with a focus on natural materials, open interior, and neutral palettes.
- Craftsman: popular from the 1890s to the 1930s, it is based on the European Arts and Crafts movement, offering natural materials, handcrafted details, and simple layouts as a reaction to industrialization.
In this ‘Dream House’ collection, we will focus on a variety of styles to show what’s at the forefront of design choices for new homes. But beyond the styles and features, what truly makes a dream home? According to architect Frank Lloyd Wright, “A house should be a living thing that grows and evolves just as its inhabitants do.”
So, before you embark on the journey of building your ‘Dream House,’ pick a style and focus on functionality and flexibility that will serve you well in the long run.
1. Modern Barndominium w/Great Room & Shop
Often, a modern ‘dream house’ will offer a blend of several styles. For example, this spacious barndominium features a mix of farmhouse style, modern clean lines, oversized windows, and a stylish black exterior.
You are all set for a comfortable life in the country with 3,486 square feet of space, 5 bedrooms (3 bedrooms on the ground level), a mudroom, an office, a loft, and 3.5 baths. And let’s not overlook an impressive 1598 sq. ft. 4-car rear-entry garage – perfectly suitable for a woodworking or mechanical shop.
Inside, you are greeted by a dramatic two-story great room, bathed in natural light from the towering window wall. As illustrated, the whole family can gather around this stylish fireplace and enjoy the views.
Furthermore, you have a gourmet kitchen, an intimate dinette, a butler’s pantry, and a dedicated home office tucked away for privacy. The luxurious main suite is located on the first floor, as a private sanctuary away from the home’s active zones.
Upstairs, a versatile loft overlooks the great room, providing additional flexible space for gaming or studies. Moreover, clustered secondary bedrooms have access to an upstairs laundry room, ensuring convenience for family or guests.
2. 2-Bedroom Dream Mountain Retreat
Dreaming of building a spacious lake house or mountain retreat? Take a look at this single-level 2-bedroom layout boasting 2,800+ sqft of space, a bonus room, and a garage.
A covered deck wraps around the home, giving you 1,842 square feet of fresh air space to enjoy. That’s like having another outdoor living room! A bonus room at the back of the garage is great for storing mountain gear, skis, or creating an art studio.
As you enter the home from a welcoming vaulted porch, you are greeted by an open-concept vaulted central core, including a great room, dining area, kitchen, and living room. The expansive kitchen under a beamed ceiling has not one, but two islands and a walk-in pantry.
As you enjoy cozy evenings in front of a wood-burning fireplace, you can admire an open and airy environment, and a wall of expansive windows providing uninterrupted views of your surroundings.
3. Spacious Dream Barndominium
Is your family outgrowing a small barndo? Take a look at this spacious 3,163 sqft dream home with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and a generous 24’x24′ garage. Additionally, 8-ft deep wrap-around porch protects you from the sun while providing this iconic Southern feature. Also, a fifth bedroom is located on the ground level and can be used as a flex space, a guest room, or a home office.
Inside, you’ll find the open-concept design seamlessly connecting the great room to the dining area and a well-appointed kitchen. The spacious kitchen features a central island and a convenient butler’s walk-in pantry, perfect for both daily living and effortless entertaining.
Furthermore, upstairs you’ll find a private main suite, 3 additional bedrooms, and a flexible loft space. It’s ideal for a reading nook, an art studio, or a yoga space. Most importantly, a practical mudroom and laundry room are on the main level, adjacent to the garage entry, making them convenient for country living.
4. Modern 4-Bedroom Farmhouse
This modern farmhouse boasts a spacious 2800+ sqft interior with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and an optional 5th bedroom over the garage. With an open-concept layout, there is an easy flow between a foyer, dining room, great room, and screened porch.
Additionally, there is a keeping room that you rarely see on house layouts. A keeping room is a cozy, informal sitting area directly connected to the kitchen. Historically, in early American homes, it was the warmest room where families gathered, cooked, and spent most of their time. In modern plans, it is a central room equivalent to a flex space or family room.
The gorgeous main bedroom suite is adjacent to a luxurious bathroom, almost as big as the bedroom. Its big soaking tub is taking center stage and is very popular in modern spa-like bath design. Most importantly, you’ll not lack storage space with ‘her’ and ‘his’ walk-in closet spaces.
Furthermore, you can have an optional private over-garage apartment or a 5th bedroom, adding 342 square feet of living space and another bathroom. Perfect for multi-generational living!
With 55 images of a finished build, you can decide for yourself if this is your dream house!
5. Modern 3-Bedroom House Plan
This modern home boasts 1,100+ sqft of living space on a single level, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a covered porch, and a 2-car garage. With its Scandinavian new house aesthetics featuring black accents, natural wood, and dark vertical siding, it appeals to the younger generation.
At the same time, its single-level layout offers a great option for those looking to retire or for an in-laws’ cottage. This home truly has something for everyone.
Step inside through a thoughtfully designed foyer into an inviting, open-concept living space, filled with natural light and fluid interior transitions. Also, an owner’s suite is a serene retreat with a private bath and a walk-in closet.
Moreover, the secondary bedrooms are thoughtfully clustered, providing comfortable spaces for family or guests, with access to a laundry unit. With a 2-car garage, this dream house for simple living checks lots of boxes!
6. 3-Bedroom Barndominium
If you are dreaming of a spacious single-level barndo with an adjacent shop for all your DIY projects, this plan is for you! This inviting 2,476 sq ft interior offers 3 bedrooms (with an optional 4th) and 2.5 baths.
Additionally, a striking exterior showcases vertical board-and-batten siding and a welcoming front porch. As illustrated, the heart of the home features a seamless flow between the kitchen and dining areas, complemented by a spacious butler walk-in pantry.
The main level hosts a luxurious main bedroom suite, providing a private sanctuary with its thoughtful layout. Furthermore, the remaining bedrooms are strategically split for privacy. Beyond the main living areas, a dedicated workshop within the garage offers ample space for hobbies, projects, or additional storage.
While you enjoy tranquil mornings or relaxed evenings on the charming covered front porch, breathe in the fresh air and connect with the neighbors.
7. Modern 3-Bedroom House Plan
Modern contemporary designs are among the top choices for prospective homeowners looking for their dream home. Check out this 1,388 sq. ft. plan that offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an integrated 523 sq. ft. two-car garage, all within a sleek, single-story design.
Step inside the welcoming foyer, leading to an open-concept great room. The heart of the home is the expansive space, boasting a vaulted ceiling, which flows seamlessly into the dining area and a well-appointed kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with an island and a walk-in pantry, making meal preparation a delight.
Experience privacy and comfort in the thoughtfully designed split-bedroom layout. The luxurious main bedroom suite, located on one side of the home, features a vaulted ceiling, a spacious walk-in closet, and access to a private patio. Lastly, two additional bedrooms, sharing a full bathroom, are situated on the opposite side, ideal for family or guests.
8. Rustic 3-Bedroom Craftsman House Plan
Popular from the 1890s to the 1930s, Craftsman Style is based on the European Arts and Crafts movement, emphasizing natural finishes and handcrafted details.
So what is it about Craftsman Style that makes it so enduring? Firstly, it offers a sense of nostalgia and a connection to the past. Craftsman homes were often built by hand by skilled craftsmen, and each one is unique in its own way. This attention to detail and individuality is something that modern homeowners are craving in a world where cookie-cutter homes dominate the market.
For example, this inviting 2,419 sq. ft. Rustic Craftsman features a charming blend of stone, wooden details, and siding in its exterior. With a spacious 2,100+ sqft interior, it boasts 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Most importantly, there is a main-level primary bedroom suite. Furthermore, the plan offers such popular features as an open-concept great room, a mudroom, a separate laundry room, and even a wine storage.
Most importantly, the home offers space to enjoy outdoors. Whether you relax on a 191 sqft front porch with your morning coffee or prefer stargazing on a 216 sqft private back porch, the home has idyllic spots for both.
9. Times 2-Bedroom Cottage
Another architectural style that gained popularity in recent years is timeless cottagecore. With a stone and timber exterior, exposed beams, and a cozy interior, this 1,300+ square feet timeless cottage is both charming and functional.
From a timber-framed covered porch, step inside this cozy cottage to find a nostalgic living room warmed up by a stone fireplace. With a functional flow between spaces, the ground floor is well-designed for comfortable daily living and entertaining guests. As a result, you’ll enjoy a bright living room, a functional kitchen, and a small private study/craft room. A separate dining area is a perfect place for quiet meals or lively tea parties.
As you walk upstairs, discover a private primary bedroom retreat and a smaller secondary bedroom, offering accommodations for family or guests. Also, enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors from the quaint covered porches.
But cottagecore is much more than just a trend or a design aesthetic. It is also a lifestyle that celebrates a simpler way of living, disconnected from the fast-paced and technology-driven world. Also, cottagecore homes often feature gardens and outdoor spaces, allowing homeowners to connect with nature.
10. 4-BedroomTraditional Style House Plan
Are you captivated by the charm of Southern Traditional style? Look no further than this stunning 2,800+ sqft plan. It is tailor-made for building your dream home. Boasting 4 bedrooms, a 2-car garage, a flex room, and an open-concept layout, this house has everything you need and more.
Firstly, step inside and be greeted by a grand 2-story foyer and large windows that bathe the space in natural light. The ground floor also features a formal dining room, a home office, a cozy fireplace in the great room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and a guest room.
Lastly, venture to the second floor and discover an inviting primary bedroom suite, a versatile flex room, and 2 additional bedrooms. With its adaptable layout, you have the option to customize up to 6 bedrooms, or 4 bedrooms plus an office and a game room. As a result, this flexible layout could become your dream home blueprint.
