Types of houses in New Jersey

Ranch-style homes are among the most popular in the US and can be found in almost every state. Its popularity dates back to after World War II, where thanks to the G.I. Bill law, Americans got energy, jobs, and lower mortgages.

They were usually on one floor, although easily expandable. Today, this style has evolved into 2 subsets of houses: bilevel and trilevel.

It originated in Europe as part of the picturesque movement and was inspired by the Italian villas of northern Italy.

The first Italianate homes in the US were built in the late 1830s, and the style was popularized throughout America in 1840 with the architectural pattern books of Alexander Jackson Davis. It was an alternative to Greek Revival and Gothic styles, but was superseded in popularity in the late 1870s by the Queen Anne style. Like everything vintage, it’s back in style.

Queen Anne style homes are known for their symmetrical shape, deep porches, textured siding, and corner towers. These houses are usually very large, with two or more floors. Although beautiful and romantic, they can require a large investment to maintain so they are not typically a desired style for first-time New Jersey homebuyers.

Notable examples of this architecture in New Jersey are:

• Kuser Mansion, Hamilton.
• Straus Manor, Atlantic Highlands.
• Joseph Leedom House, Cape May.

Cottage homes are inspired by ancient architectural styles, although most were built in recent times. They are rare types of houses in New Jersey, so their sale price is usually high. They are divided into 2 groups:

• Rustic cabins: They have a primitive style and are usually built by hand by the owner. They can be found in the mountains or forested regions of New Jersey.
• Contemporary cabins: These are larger and feature-rich dwelling for occupants. 

Both styles of cabins use logs both inside and out, and for the most part, they can have one floor above and one below.

Country houses, or farmhouses are often located on land occupied by farmers. They are usually symmetrical dwellings with common rooms downstairs and bedrooms upstairs. 

For centuries, unassuming farmhouses had minimal ornamentation, but over time, their designs borrowed from Victorian and Colonial styles, including wraparound porches and tall windows.

The types of houses in New Jersey of Victorian style stand out for the details and decorations. They arise in 1800 during the reign of Queen Victoria, hence the name. Their popularity increased with the growth of the middle class.

Greek Revival was the dominant style of local architecture between the 1830s and 1850s. Builders’ Guides by Asher Benjamin and Minard Lafever made this style available for imitation. Mahlon Fisher was one of the most notable builders in New Jersey, allowing the development of this type of house.

The design of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia (1818) was inspired by Greek architecture and by 1830, the style spread throughout New Jersey.

It is also known as the “American Craftsman” style and was adopted in the US by Gustav Stickley. The Arts and Crafts Movement prevailed between 1910 and 1925.

Examples of arts & crafts houses in New Jersey:

• Houses in Mountain Lakes Township.
• Houses at Highland Park’s Livingston Manor.
• Artisanal Farms, Parpisippany-Troy Hills.

This became the dominant style in local American construction between 1700 and 1776. Georgian architecture grew out of Italian Renaissance ideas popularized in England by the architect Sir Christopher Wren.

This architecture gets its name from the succession of English kings named George beginning in 1715. In the US, this style included several variations on an English theme, being a symmetrical two-story house with a front entrance facade. 

Today, many of the Georgian houses are associated with prominent citizens, indicating that the upper class in New Jersey could build these types of houses.

Contemporary houses are homes that do not go out of style, they always keep their style, function and adapt very well to the passage of time. They often have two floors that make good use of space, providing adequate comfort.

Also known as “Townhouses”, these are houses that are built directly next to each other. These houses became popular due to the high rate of immigration to the US in the early 19th century.

These townhouses generally have 3 or 4 levels and are usually around 20 feet wide. Currently they are still relevant in the Garden State and can be seen around the Passaic, Hudson and Delaware rivers.

Inspired by Mediterranean homes, this style became popular and spread in the United States from southern California between 1920 and 1930.

The Mediterranean style should not be confused with the Greek Revival, although they do resemble each other.

This pejorative term is a slang that comes from recent years to denote houses with a combination of classic styles developed in the US. They are usually new houses built larger than the previous ones to accommodate a modern family.

The kitchen of these homes is spacious and with amenities, the floor plan is usually open and with fewer walls. The bedrooms are large and the master bedroom is designed as a suite with spacious bathrooms and walk-in closets. 

The McMansions style is widespread throughout Northern New Jersey.

Without an officially defined name, these types of houses in New Jersey are notable for their cube shape with squares on the walls and originate between 1890 and 1930. 

It was a predilect style of the US middle class as it was cheaper to build than its Victorian predecessor.

Named after the Massachusetts coast, this style nods to English settlers who first built small-size, clapboard-walled homes in the area. Its popularity grew in the 1950s, where owners added a full floor and additional trim.

It is a two level house and is designed to have the main living area of ​​the home on the upper level, the family room on the ground floor next to the garage, and sometimes a basement. This style of architecture can be found throughout northern New Jersey.

This is one of the most popular styles throughout the US. Deriving from British architecture, it typically features 2 or 3 stories, fireplaces, dormers, brick or wood facades, and a center door. 

The colonial style has several subsets influenced by settlers from other countries, such as the Dutch, French, Spanish, Renaissance or Neoclassical colonial style.

This type of house originated during the Tudor dynasty. It is known as “American Tudor” or “Tudor Revival” and can be found in northern New Jersey.

The Tudor style can range from small cottages in Bloomfield, to grand mansions in Montclair, Essex Fells, and South Orange.