Do you still stop and think of that enchanting French country home and that lovely villa in Tuscany you saw on vacation? Now that you are ready for a new home, how about a European-style house plan that captures all the eclectic charm of European architecture that has always fascinated you?

The courtyard style is alive and well in the 21st century. Going back as early as 2000 BC, the courtyard design seamlessly fused the outdoor space with the indoors to allow abundant light and air, while also providing a comfortable and secure home.

If you’re looking for a home plan that makes great use of big spaces and encourages a relaxed vibe for entertaining and family functions – all on a single level but with the appearance of a rural estate or Farmhouse – a Country style Ranch home could be right for you.

An elegant and endearing part of the American architectural landscape, the Country house style – with its fluid and beautifully simple outlines – has fascinated and attracted generations since it first appeared in the Southern states during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Once the rage in the United States, concrete block / ICF home plans are back in today’s architectural landscape. Along with being energy-efficient, durable, and storm-resistant, concrete block house plans are comfortable and quiet – and they come in classic styles that appeal to today’s home seekers’ aesthetic.

What’s so fascinating about a colonial style house? With its roots in the 1700s, the “Colonial” exudes the warmth, charm and tradition of early American life. Perhaps the most popular and timeless architectural style in the country, the “Colonial” is the result of the imagination and culture of various European settlers. So, symbolically, it is a depiction of the once-and-future-diversity of America.

Today’s Cape Cod house plans are often much more than first meets the eye. Sure, the house designs are steeped in tradition and practicality – that’s what made them so popular for generations. But today’s Cape Cod home plans offer a certain elegance and even modernity in their floor plans design that has homeowners more excited than they have been in decades.

From the Arts and Crafts bungalows of the 1900s, to beachfront properties, classic ranch homes, Mediterranean and Spanish Mission designs, the row houses in San Francisco, and modern contemporary plans, California house styles are distinctly casual, comfortable and made for relaxed living.

Houses are getting larger, and homes north of 3000 square feet are not unusual. But they’re not the poorly designed McMansions of the past. Detailed trimwork, expansive kitchens, grand staircases, multiple suites, and 3- or 4-car garages are only some of the features you’ll find in 4000 to 4500 square foot houses.

So why a one-and-a-half story house? Well, in addition to being visually appealing, the 1 1/2 story house plan allows for a great deal of flexibility at a relatively lower cost if you want to expand your home in the future.