Here are the 10 most popular residential architectural styles beloved by the residents of California. I love this list because of how the styles vary radically across different parts of the state. Above all else, investing in popular architectural styles is a smart move given some of the returns on investment many California homeowners have enjoyed over recent years.
10. Spanish Colonial Revival
Common in Los Angeles (Hollywood Hills, Hancock Park), Santa Barbara, and San Diego’s Old Town, Spanish Colonial Revival homes are characterized by stucco exteriors, red-tile roofs, arched doorways, and courtyards. This style reflects California’s Spanish heritage and offers a historic, elegant feel with its warm, earthy tones and Mediterranean influence.
Main Level Floor Plan for Spanish Colonial Revival
This spacious layout features an open courtyard with a fountain at its center, surrounded by a terrace and main living areas. The design includes a large family room with an outdoor veranda and kitchen, leading to a three-car garage and master suite with a private terrace.
Upper Level Floor Plan
The upper floor is designed for privacy and entertainment, with two bedrooms, each having a walk-in closet, and a shared bathroom. A spacious game room with adjoining storage provides a separate recreational space, while the circular upper foyer adds elegance, offering a view to the floor below.
9. Craftsman Bungalow
Found throughout Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven, Berkeley, and Oakland’s Rockridge, Craftsman Bungalows feature low-pitched gable roofs, exposed rafters, built-in furniture, and thick porch columns. These homes emphasize simplicity, natural materials, and craftsmanship, creating a cozy and functional living space.
Main Level Floor Plan for Craftsman Bungalow
The open layout emphasizes a central dining space that connects seamlessly to a kitchen with a raised counter, leading into the family room. A screened porch at the back provides additional living space, while the front features a welcoming covered porch and a formal living room next to an office.
Upper Level Floor Plan
This floor plan features three bedrooms, including a spacious master suite with a dedicated closet labeled “Her’s.” The layout efficiently places a centrally located laundry room for easy access, along with a shared bathroom for bedrooms #2 and #3.
8. Mid-Century Modern
Prevalent in Palm Springs, Los Angeles (Silver Lake, Hollywood Hills), and the San Francisco Bay Area (Marin County), Mid-Century Modern homes are known for their clean lines, flat planes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and strong indoor-outdoor connections. They prioritize open, airy spaces and minimalist aesthetics, often using materials like glass, steel, and concrete.
Main Level Floor Plan for Mid-Century Modern
This single-story layout centers around a spacious courtyard, providing both outdoor relaxation and natural light to the interior spaces. The great room, kitchen, and dining areas flow seamlessly together for an open living experience, while the private master suite includes an office, large walk-in closet, and access to a sauna. Two additional bedrooms share a bath, and a combination of a garage and carport provides ample vehicle storage.
7. Ranch Style
Ranch homes are widespread in San Jose’s Willow Glen, Sacramento’s Arden-Arcade, and the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. These single-story homes have long, low profiles with open floor plans, easy access to outdoor spaces, and an emphasis on casual, laid-back living. Their design offers practicality and comfort for families.
Main Level Floor Plan for Rancher
This single-story ranch-style home offers a spacious great room with vaulted ceilings that opens onto multiple decks, creating indoor-outdoor living spaces. The layout includes a private master suite, a functional mudroom near the kitchen and laundry, and a large two-car garage providing ample storage and parking space.
6. Victorian (Queen Anne & Italianate)
Victorian homes, including Queen Anne and Italianate styles, are iconic in San Francisco (Alamo Square, Pacific Heights), Sacramento’s Midtown, and Los Angeles’s Angelino Heights. They boast decorative trims, steep roofs, bay windows, and ornate detailing, with some brightly painted facades known as “Painted Ladies,” offering a historic, elegant charm.
Main Level Floor Plan for Victorian Style Home
The main level showcases a spacious family room adjacent to a media center and a bright breakfast nook connected to a large kitchen with pantry storage. Formal living and dining rooms, along with a private study and a covered porch, enhance both function and style, while a two-car garage adds practicality.
Upper Level Floor Plan
Upstairs, the master bedroom boasts a vaulted ceiling and private bath, accompanied by an alcove space for added luxury. Three additional bedrooms, each with its own closet, share access to two bathrooms, ensuring comfort and privacy for all occupants.
5. Mediterranean Revival
Found in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and San Diego’s La Jolla, Mediterranean Revival homes are distinguished by stucco walls, low-pitched tile roofs, wrought iron detailing, and large arched windows and doors. Inspired by European coastal villas, they create an inviting, warm ambiance perfect for California’s climate.
Main Level Floor Plan for Mediterranean Revival Home
The main level features an expansive owner’s suite with a private sitting area and luxurious bath, complemented by a guest room and formal dining space. A central gathering area opens to a summer kitchen and courtyard, while a three-car garage, mudroom, and storeroom provide functional utility.
Upper Level Floor Plan
The upper level is designed for comfort and entertainment, offering four suite-style bedrooms with private baths and a covered balcony. A snack area and activity room add fun and relaxation options, creating a versatile space perfect for family and guests.
4. Contemporary Style
Contemporary homes are prominent in Los Angeles (Beverly Crest, Hollywood Hills), Silicon Valley’s Palo Alto, and San Francisco’s Noe Valley. These houses focus on modern design principles like open floor plans, expansive windows, and the use of sustainable materials, combining both functionality and style in their sleek, minimalist approach.
Main Level Floor Plan for Contemporary Style
The main level boasts an open-concept great room connected to the kitchen and nook, with a covered patio for outdoor living. A guest suite, den, and mudroom add versatility and convenience, while a two-car garage offers ample storage.
Upper Level Floor Plan
The upper level features a luxurious master suite with a walk-in closet and laundry access, plus three additional bedrooms, each with private storage. A spacious media room and open hallway provide a central gathering space for entertainment and relaxation.
3. Tudor Revival
Located in San Diego’s North Park, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco’s Sea Cliff, California Cottage or Tudor Revival homes are noted for steeply pitched gable roofs, half-timbering, stucco or brick exteriors, and arched doorways. They offer a quaint, storybook appearance with classic European influences and a cozy, charming atmosphere.
Main Level Floor Plan for Tudor Revival Home
This main level features an open floor plan with a spacious living room flowing into the kitchen and dining area, all centered around a large deck for outdoor entertaining. A three-stall garage offers ample parking, while the master suite boasts a private bath and closet, and two additional bedrooms share a hall bath.
Upper Level Floor Plan
The finished lower level is designed for entertainment, featuring a game room, family room, and access to a concrete patio. Two extra bedrooms with a shared bath and abundant storage space provide functionality and comfort, creating an ideal space for guests or extended family living.
2. Colonial Revival
Colonial Revival homes are seen in places like San Marino, Fresno’s Old Fig Garden, and San Francisco’s Pacific Heights. With symmetrical facades, gable roofs, classical detailing, and multi-pane windows, these houses reflect early American colonial architecture and provide a sense of order and tradition.
Main Level Floor Plan for Colonial Revival Home
Spacious great room opens to a large deck and covered patio, with a centrally located kitchen and pantry. Two offices, a formal dining room, and a mudroom connect to a three-car garage, providing functional and versatile spaces for work and relaxation.
Upper Level Floor Plan
Master suite features a private bath and deck access, accompanied by four additional bedrooms with separate baths for convenience. A bonus room, laundry area, and open hallway overlooking the foyer enhance the functionality and flow of the living space.
1. Modern Farmhouse
Modern Farmhouse styles are popular in Napa Valley, Orange County’s Irvine, and Los Angeles’s Studio City. They combine clean lines, metal roofs, and board-and-batten siding with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. The style focuses on comfort, spaciousness, and a warm, inviting atmosphere with a modern twist.
Main Level Floor Plan for Modern Farmhouse
Open-concept great room with cathedral ceilings connects to the dining area, kitchen, and covered patio for a seamless living experience. The main level includes a private master suite, two additional bedrooms, a sunroom, and access to a three-car garage through a mudroom.
Basement Floor Plan
Lower level features a spacious family room, wet bar, and a home theater for entertainment. A craft room, bedroom, and ample storage spaces enhance functionality, offering room for creativity and leisure.
Upper Level Floor Plan – Bonus Room
Bonus room (upstairs) offers flexible space with potential for a variety of uses, including an additional bedroom, office, or playroom. Equipped with a bathroom and closet, this level maximizes the home’s versatility.
