Southern House Style Guides- What You Need To Know & Why?

There are many different types of house styles found in the Southern house style guides in the United States. In order to find the right one for your home, it is important to understand the different features that define each style. This guide will help you identify the most popular southern house styles and give you an overview of what you can expect.

The first step in choosing a southern house style is to decide what region you would like your home to be located in. The most popular southern house style guides regions are the Mississippi Delta, the Gulf Coast, and the Florida Keys. Each region has its own unique styles, so it is important to choose one that you feel best suits your needs.

History of the Southern Style House

The Southern style house guides is a classic American home style that has its roots in the colonial era. Southern style homes are typically made of wood and have a traditional, symmetrical design. They often have a porch with columns, and the home's interior is usually quite formal.

The Southern style house became popular in the American South during the 18th and 19th centuries when many families from the Northeastern United States migrated to the region. The style of the house was well-suited to the hot, humid climate of the South, and its simple design made it easy to construct. Today, Southern style homes are found all over the United States, and they remain a popular choice for those looking for a classic American home.

Before the start of the civil war in 1861, a neoclassical architectural style like the Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italian, and other Mediterranean style was the go-to house style among homeowners in the Southern region. While European architectural designs were gaining traction in the US, plantation and farm owners in the southern region preferred the southern style for its functionality and practicality.

The large, wrap-around porches provided shelter from the hot southern sun, and the large windows allowed ventilation to pass through the home during the cold winter. Other features like the exterior staircases, hallways, and high ceilings allowed heat to rise within the home, keeping the living areas cooler.

Furthermore, around 1830 to 1860, there was a sudden change in the southern architectural style used on plantations and farms. Over the years, southern architecture blended several European styles with characteristics best suited for the hot southern climate. That is why it is common to find southern houses with raised basements, large wrap-around porches, vaulted ceilings, and multiple large windows.

Types of Southern Style Houses

Variations of Southern floor plans include:

• Federal house plans
• Georgian home plans
• Plantation house plans
• Southern colonial-style house plans
• Country home plans

Characteristics of the Southern Style House

This style became popular in the 1700s and was common among plantation owners. Many southern homes are preserved throughout the South, usually built on large pieces of land. If you want that historic, Southern living look, you can get it by building one of the plans from our collection. Here are some common features you’ll find in these houses:

Exterior Details

Not all Southern home plans are the same due to the number of available styles. Some home exteriors may have wraparound porches, whereas others have small entryways with two columns. One plan may have two stories with eaves at several levels, but the other may have an asymmetrical design with a hip roof. Other interesting exterior features may include:

• Screened porches
• Pier foundations in coastal design s
• Grecian-style columns in Georgian plans
• Center triangular gables
• Various dormer types
• Frequently two stories, with a side-gabled roof
• Typically have brick or wood on the exterior

Interior Details

Southern floor plans come in various types, from farmhouses to rustic cabins. Therefore, the interiors will vary depending on whether you pick one plan over the other. Some may have formal living and dining spaces, whereas others will have no formal areas. Certain house plans have hearth rooms, great rooms, or both. Other interior features may include:

• Dual staircases
• Grand entryways
• Split bedrooms
• Sunrooms
• Elegant foyers

Main Materials of the Southern House Style

Southern houses are typically made from natural materials. It is common to find materials like:

• Stucco
• Brick
• Wood
• Concrete

Why We Love the Southern House Plan

Whatever the type, characteristics, or design, below are some reasons why millions of Europeans and Americans love the Southern House plan and style.

Lots of Space

There is no lack of space with a southern style house. Since they typically feature two or even three stories, there is ample of space to spare. Some southern houses are large enough to accommodate house staff and areas for socialization. So, if you are looking for a house plan that is large enough to accommodate your large family, then the southern style house is your best choice.

Functional Architecture

Southern house style houses have a thing in common— attractive and functional architecture. Southern houses boast superb exterior and interior architecture filled with natural elements like cedar wood, making them unique and aesthetically attractive. It is common to find southern houses with tall white columns, large decorated windows, wide front porches, and well-designed entryways.

How Much Does Southern House Style Cost?

On average a Southern house plan can cost around $1000 to $2,500. However, custom plans and blueprints may cost around 5-10 percent of the total home building cost. The average cost to build a southern house style in the US is around $300,000, depending on your home location, customizations, and square footage.

One thing you should know before building one is that a Southern home requires more time and is more expensive. Check out some of our southern floor plans and designs to build a southern home.

Constructing a Southern Home Style

Constructing a Southern home requires the input of a professional architect and builder. When looking to build a Southern home, you may decide to opt for a ready-made floor plan or a fully custom-designed blueprint for your potential home.

The first step to constructing a custom Southern home is to get a comprehensive architectural drawing set. This gives you more insight into the type of materials to be used, accurate dimensions of the floor plans, location of the elements, sections, and other construction-related information.

If you are looking for a comprehensive yet affordable Southern house blueprint or a customizable floor plan, then we at Archimple are here to serve you. We have several Southern house design collections and floor plans. You can check out our Southern home design collection to find out how we can help you achieve your dream home.

You can click the following links to learn more about what consists of our typical plan set and how we work or can be of help to you and your Southern home-building project. Remember that your home is not just an investment for the future but a reflection of your personality. So, it is important that you employ the best architectural help to make your dream home a reality.

Final Thought

The Southern house style is a unique and interesting way to design a home. It is a blend of traditional and contemporary elements that can create a beautiful and inviting space. If you are considering designing or building a home in the South, consider the Southern house style.

Frequently Asked Question

What is the Southern House Style?
The Southern House Style is a type of home typically found in the southern United States. These homes are known for their large porches, high ceilings, and open floor plans. 

How did the Southern House Style come about?
The Southern House Style originated in the colonial era when homes were built with wide porches to protect against the heat of the day. The style then evolved to include high ceilings and open floor plans. 

What are some common features of the Southern House Style?
Some common features of the Southern House Style include large porches, high ceilings, and open floor plans. These homes are often built with brick or wood siding and have shingle roofs.

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