Here's How Colonial-Revival Style Homes Shaped American Architecture (2024)

Colonial-Revival houses have shaped the history of American architecture. Originating as a spinoff of Colonial architecture, Colonial-Revival homes peaked in the 1940s, tapering off in popularity after World War II, leaving a mark as one of the most enduring examples of American architecture.

Origins of Colonial-Revival Style

Colonial Revival is a reinterpretation of earlier American Colonial homes that focused on simpler, symmetrical, practical designs.Major influences that led to the development of this style:

• European architecture: Colonial architecture in the U.S. was heavily influenced by British, Dutch, Spanish, and French designs, with more restraint and less luxury and opulence. Colonial-Revival merged simple, symmetrical American Colonial styles with ornate Victorian-era embellishments.
• American pride: Colonial Revival was spurred on by the 1876 Centennial Exposition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which increased interest in preserving buildings of architectural interest.
• New building techniques: Architects and builders were able to take more liberties when building newer Colonial-style homes thanks to technological advances and increased access to building materials.
  

Key Characteristics of Colonial-Revival Homes

Colonial-Revival style homes mix the simple symmetry and structure of the Colonial style with the fanciful details of Victorian-era architecture. Key Colonial features such as simple layouts, symmetrical window designs, and gabled roofs joined ornate Victorian features like intricate detailing, porticos, moldings, and large windows.

• Roof style: Front-gabled or side-gabled roofs, hip roofs, and gambrel roofs emphasize the diversity of inspiration from early English, French, Spanish, and Dutch Colonial design. The varying rooflines give this style a wide variety of expressions.
• Floors: While two-story Colonial-Revival homes are most common, a prevalent sub-type of this architectural style is the typically one-floor Cape Cod home.
• Windows: The windows are multi-paned and are often decorated with shutters or pediments, as are the doors. Unlike simple Colonial designs, these shutters and pediments are often fancifully decorated with cutout designs or carvings.
• Entrances: Small porticos and pillars at the entrances, and ornate moldings and detailed work dress up the simplicity of original Colonial-style homes.
• Interior layout: Interiors comprise distinctly divided rooms and often feature a central staircase similar to Colonial designs. The style lends itself to a traditional interior design.

American Colonial vs. Colonial-Revival

American Colonial and Colonial-Revival architecture share the same roots. Homes built in both styles tend to have a rectangular footprint and a traditional approach to design, whereas Colonial-Revival style introduces elements and features not seen in the plainer American Colonial style.

Colonial-Revival Homes Today

While the inspiration for Colonial-Revival homes was borrowed from British, French, Dutch, and Spanish architecture, the style has become uniquely American and has stood the test of time.

Though this style was most ubiquitous in the 1940s, private and public-sector buildings, including schools, libraries, and governmental buildings, make the most of this traditional design style.

Newer construction homes in suburban neighborhoods are often called "Neo-Colonial," a style that updates and simplifies Colonial-Revival features and can be seen in subdivisions across the country.

Example of a Colonial-Revival Style Home

New England Colonial Revival-Style Home Facade

Colonial-Revival houses like this New England home renovated by Crisp Architects are common in the Northeast region of the U.S..

Back Side of Colonial Revival-Style House Before Renovation

The architects sought to make the Colonial Revival home more comfortable for modern lifestyles while preserving its character, such as the semi-circular fanlight windows high up near the roofline in this before photo of the back porch and entrance.

Back of Colonial-Revival Home After Renovation

Crisp Architects preserved the "great bones" of the original while raising the second floor ceilings, expanding the footprint, and renovating the interior. The white exterior paint color gives it a timeless look, and the black shutters were removed from the back side of the home for a more streamlined feel that sets it apart from the facade.

Front Entrance of Colonial-Revival Home

The front entrance of the home features polished hardwood floors, an elegant staircase, and wall and doorway moldings for a timeless look.

Colonial-Revival Formal Dining Room

The formal dining room features characteristic elements like wainscoting and a fireplace.

Renovated Colonial-Revival Bedroom

An upstairs bedroom has white walls, classic windows, and is furnished with antiques that complement the traditional style of the home.