What Are Colonial-Revival Style Homes?

Colonial Renaissance houses shaped the history of American architecture. Originating as a byproduct of Colonial architecture, Renaissance homes reached their peak in the 1940s, but then declined in popularity after World War II, leaving their mark as one of the most enduring examples of American architecture.

Origins of Colonial-Revival Style

Colonial Revival was a reimagining of earlier American Colonial homes with an emphasis on simpler, symmetrical, and practical designs. The main influences that led to the development of this style:

European Architecture: Colonial architecture in the United States was heavily influenced by English, Dutch, Spanish, and French design, with more restraint and less richness and exuberance. Colonial Revival combined simple, symmetrical American Colonial styles with ornate Victorian details.
American Pride: The Colonial Revival, spurred by the 1876 Centennial Exposition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, increased interest in the architectural preservation of attractive buildings.
New construction methods. Architects and builders gained more freedom when constructing new Colonial-style homes thanks to technological advances and increased access to building materials.

Key Characteristics of Colonial-Revival Homes

Colonial Renaissance style homes combine the symmetry and structural simplicity of the Colonial style with the intricate details of Victorian architecture. Key Colonial features such as simple floor plans, symmetrical window designs, and gabled roofs were combined with ornate Victorian elements such as intricate detailing, porticoes, moldings, and large windows.

Roof styles: Front or side gabled, hipped and gable roofs highlight the variety of early English, French, Spanish and Dutch colonial design inspirations. The different roof lines give this style a variety of expressions.
Floors: Although two-story Colonial Revival style homes are the most common, a popular subtype of this architectural style is the typical one-story Cape Cod home.
Windows: Windows consist of multiple panels and are often decorated with shutters or gables, just like doors. Unlike simple Colonial designs, these shutters and gables were often elaborately decorated with cutouts or carved designs.
Entrance: Entrance porches and columns, ornate moldings and detailed work demonstrate the simplicity of the original Colonial style homes.
Interior Layout: Interiors consist of clearly separated rooms and often have a central staircase, reminiscent of colonial design. This style is suitable for traditional interior design.

American Colonial vs. Colonial-Revival 

American Colonial architecture and Colonial Revival architecture have the same origins. Homes built in both styles tend to have a rectangular shape and traditional design approaches, while the Colonial Renaissance style contains elements and features that are not found in the Colonial Renaissance style. American Colonial style was simpler.

Colonial-Revival Homes Today

Although inspiration for Colonial Revival style homes was drawn from English, French, Dutch and Spanish architecture, the style became uniquely American and has stood the test of time.

Although this style was most popular in the 1940s, private and public buildings, including schools, libraries and government buildings, take full advantage of this traditional design style.

New construction homes in the suburbs are often called “neo-colonial,” a style that updates and simplifies Colonial Revival features and can be seen in small neighborhoods across the country.

Example of a Colonial-Revival Style Home

New England Colonial Revival-Style Home Facade

Colonial Revival style homes, like this New England home renovated by Crisp Architects, are popular in the northeastern region of the United States.

Back Side of Colonial Revival-Style House Before Renovation

The architects sought to make the Colonial Revival style home more comfortable for modern lifestyles while maintaining its character, such as the tall semi-circular lighted windows near the roof on this porch and the photograph of the entrance.