Blog

The Craftsman Style Home: Why It’s So Popular

March 14, 2019

American homes reflect a wide range of architectural styles—like the Cape Cod, Ranch, Victorian, Modern, Farmhouse, English Cottage, Colonial, Southwest, Mediterranean, Traditional, Tuscan, and Log Cabin—to name just a few. With so many choices, homebuyers love the Craftsman style home. A Trulia poll of more than 2,000 Americans showed that 43% favored this style. Cothran Homes took a look at why it’s so popular.The roots of Craftsman styleThe Craftsman architecture began in the United States around the turn of the 20th century. Two brothers, Charles and Henry Greene, created the style in Pasadena—the birth of the California bungalow. The architects used the influence of English Arts and Crafts, which was developed in England to promote craftsmanship in an era where the Industrial Revolution was automating so many products. The clean lines of wood Asian architecture is also reflected in Craftsman style, because the use of wood and natural materials was also a critical component. The Greene brothers incorporated distinctive details that reflected handmade workmanship. For three decades, the Craftsman bungalow home dominated new construction in the United States. In fact, if you were so inclined, you could buy a kit from Sears and build your own!The creativity of the exterior appealed to homebuyers who wanted something more defined. The covered porch, pillars, gables, windows, and doors all contribute to the overall appearance that is so unique. The interiors of the foursquare-style homes are designed to maximize the square footage, creating a sensible yet stylish home.What makes the home CraftsmanCraftsman style is represented in many ways. Over the years, it has been blended with other styles, achieving revamped looks like Prairie Craftsman and Modern Craftsman. Still, the fundamental elements remain.The roof is easy to spot. The gabled roof features a low-slung line that extends over the porch, another Craftsman standard. You’ll often see unenclosed eaves on the roof, showing off the decorative supports.Tapered columns are another identifiable mark of Craftsman style. The columns support the extended roof in the front. Typically, the columns are made of wood and set on a large stone or brick pier. This contrast of materials characterizes the early roots of the architecture.The combination of stone and siding are essential to staying true to the style. The foundation can be stone, brick, stucco, and concrete block, while the siding is shingled, shaker, or board and batten. Often, you’ll see a combination of these options, enhancing the curb appeal even more. For example, board and batten might be used on dormers with shingles adding horizontal contrast on the lower facade.Dormers in a Craftsman home are usually wider, with just one dormer. Like the siding, the horizontal lines of the dormer contrast to the verticals of the pillars. Two of Cothran Homes’ floor plans—The Sutton and The Belmont—incorporate this detail. Paned doors contribute to the overall Craftsman appearance. Both the entrance and the garage doors on The Newcastle and The Sutton show this feature.The Craftsman home is always unique, the result of so many details that are designed to accommodate individual taste. Cothran Homes is ready to build yours in our Simpsonville, SC, community of single-family homes. Just outside of Greenville, The Retreat features Craftsman-inspired homes that showcase the truly American architectural style. Take a look at the move-in ready homes now available and talk to us about experiencing this style for yourself.

Tags:
Have Questions?

The Bright and Shiny Sales Event! on select move-in ready homes, with Buyers Rebates!

Schedule Yours Today