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Welcome to our Craftsman home decor style guide including our gallery featuring all Craftsman interior and exterior designs including kitchens, living rooms, exteriors, bathrooms and more.
Related: All interior design styles | All Residential Architectural Styles | Craftsman-Style Living Room Ideas | Craftsman Houses (Architecture) | Craftsman Floor Plans |
What Design Features Do Craftsman-Style Homes Have?
The American Craftsman style home, a.k.a. arts and crafts style is all about handcrafted arts and craft elements, yet historically, still, an inexpensive home to build.
The Craftsman style evolved in America in response to the stuffy ornate style of Victorian homes at the end of the 20th century. Its purpose was to provide a nice, handcrafted home with fine architectural details at low cost.
In a nutshell, the craftsman design can be identified by the following:
Exterior
- Large overhanging eaves
- Hipped/gabled roofs
- Tapered square columns supporting the roof: I think this is definitely one of the most distinguishing features which are trendy again with contemporary craftsman homes.
- Large, full-width porches: Another iconic feature of Craftsman homes.
- Exposed beams
- Stone covered foundation: This adds a nice decorative touch to the home instead of just exposed concrete.
- Use of stained glass in windows and exterior doors.
- Dormer windows.
Interior
- Open floor plan: This is definitely a much-desired design feature today and so it makes sense the Craftsman is a very popular design for contemporary homes.
- Plenty of built-in wood elements such as cabinetry, fireplace mantles, bookcases, etc.
- Plenty of handcrafted woodwork including exposed ceiling beams.
- Use of natural materials such as wood, stone, brick, glass, and tile.
- Plenty of windows.
- Color scheme: earth tones and plenty of wood.
American Craftsman style home offers a number of design features that distinguish the craftsman style from other styles including the fact that it has a separate entry space and a porch that operates as an extension of the living space itself. You’ll find a lot of direct and natural light in this style of home and you’re definitely going to notice that everything is made by hand.
You’ll be able to see the joints in the furniture and the frame of the house and you’ll also be able to recognize the differences in ceiling height, the millwork, and even the boxed beams that go along with this design style home. When it comes to decorative accents wainscoting and chair rail are definitely components of this beautiful design.
Craftsman-Style Homes (Exteriors)
Check out these spectacular homes showcasing the Craftsman style architecture.
1. Luxury Contemporary Craftsman Home with Amazing Landing, Kitchen, Living Room and Much More
This is a Craftsman-Style house that looks stunning against a sunset with its wilderness landscape that leads to a warm and welcoming entryway and white stone pillars surrounding the house. This is perfectly matched by high angled roofs and stonework chimneys.
See more here. Source: Architectural Designs
This spectacular house has high arches and gray roofs that match the surrounding mountains. It has a comfortable outdoor hearth that matches the stone chimneys and gray walls that contrast the charming landscape of rocky stream surrounded by grassy lawns.
2. Restored Historic Burlingame Mills Act Home
This three-story Craftsman-Style house is dominated by varying hues of redwood from its walls, arches, and windows. The surrounding wooden fence is also given this same hue which is contrasted by stone walkways and gray tiled roof.
See more here. Source: Redfin
There is a wide and spacious front lawn to this Craftsman-Style house with a huge tree that provides a nice foreground to the redwood hues of the house. The wooden trellis on the side of the house also has the same redwood finish contrasted with various plants.
3. Eco-friendly Custom House with Open Floor Plan
This charming house goes perfectly well with the surrounding greenery of its landscape. The two balconies have railings that are adorned with potted plants that provide a nice view of the glass doors of each level. The high roofs are fitted with solar panels giving this house a green personality.
See more here. Source: Redfin
The walls of this Craftsman-Style house with an open-gabled roof match the wooden floor of the platform at the back of the house. It forms a comfortable patio that gives an overlooking view of the surrounding landscape of colorful shrubs and trees.
4. Craftsman Home with Fabulous 2-Story Stone Fireplace
trees provide a nice foreground to this American Four Square house. It has a surrounding porch with roofs supported by several white pillars that have lovely stonework matching the chimneys.” width=”1056″ height=”682″ />
Wonderful rows of colorful shrubberies and tall colorful trees provide a nice foreground to this American Four Square house. It has a surrounding porch with roofs supported by several white pillars that have lovely stonework matching the chimneys.
See more here. Source: Redfin
This Craftsman-Style interior has a high ceiling complemented by tall windows that give it a spacious and bright demeanor. This is balanced by hardwood flooring paired with wooden structures built into the walls and a great stone fireplace.
5. Newly Built Luxury Home in La Jolla Village
This is a Craftsman-Style wooden house that has two dormer windows and a row of glass doors leading to a porch that looks over the front lawn. The light hues of the walls and windows are contrasted by a bright red wooden main door to give it a charismatic personality.
See more here. Source: Redfin
The back of the house forms an open-air section that has an outdoor modern hearth to provide warmth to those on the woven wicker sofas and lawn chairs on a stone flooring. The side of the house opens to this section through a row of glass doors that fold to the sides.
6. 2-Story Contemporary Craftsman Home Design & Floor Plan
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This Craftsman-Style contemporary house has three pairs of stone tapered posts that support the exposed beams of the windows and the main door entryway. The dark roofing is a nice complement to the wooden walls that are illuminated by warm yellow light from the wall-mounted lamps.
See more here. Source: LotPlans.com
This is an interior that has a spacious air to it due to the high cathedral ceiling that is given a wooden shiplap finish and studded with pin lights. The sliding glass doors also serve the same purpose, giving this interior an illusion of being bigger.
7. Spacious and Grand Contemporary Rustic Craftsman Home Design & Floorplan
This Craftsman-Style rustic house has a main central section with floor-to-ceiling windows that are provided with a lovely view of the outdoor hearth and landscape. There is a large dormer window at one side of this main section while the other side has a small balcony overlooking the jacuzzi.
See more here. Source: LotPlans.com
This is an elegant interior with a high cathedral ceiling and leather sofas facing a huge floor-to-ceiling stone structure that houses the fireplace and a pair of wooden shelves on both sides. The massive window on the side gives an ample supply of natural light to the dark wooden flooring.
8. Craftsman Shingle Beach House Design with Viewing Tower
The centerpiece of this Craftsman-Style beach house is its viewing tower that looks like a lighthouse. It towers over the rest of the house and its dark roofs that complement the gray walls. This aesthetic is capped off with a landscape of well-maintained shrubs and trees.
See more here. Source: architecturaldesigns.com
9. Custom Contemporary Craftsman Home in the Pacific Palisades
This contemporary Craftsman-Style house exudes a warm and welcoming vibe with its redwood railings, glass doors, and exposed beams of the open gable roof. A lovely second-floor balcony watches over the open spaces of the backyard that is designed for comfort.
See more here. Source: Redfin
A lovely row of windows lines the second floor of this contemporary house looking over the fairytale beauty of the landscape. Beautiful purple flowers top the redwood garage doors that match with the wooden fence and main door which is flanked by wall-mounted lamps.
10. Studio City’s 3931 Oeste
Stone tapered support posts hold up the second-floor balconies of this Craftsman-Style house that has wooden exposed beams that match the wooden railings. This has a high-ceiling entry hall with a hanging pendant lighting over the stone floor.
See more here. Source: Redfin
The exposed wooden beams of this house seem to mold with the wooden trellises over the stone outdoor hearth that matches the stone finish of the tapered support posts. There is a stone flooring that complements the wooden walls illuminated by hanging pendant lights.
Craftsman-Style Interior Examples (by Room)
The following are photo examples of Craftsman-Style interiors (room-by-room). Below each photo are links that take you to extensive Craftsman-Style photo galleries for each room.
The following examples are from this house (Source: Architectural Designs)
Living Rooms
See more Craftsman-Style living room designs here.
This living room has a high white ceiling adorned by a dark iron chandelier hanging over the sofas. These sofas are facing the fireplace that has a stone housing with a wall-mounted colorful painting that contrasts the black and white hues.
Kitchens
See more Craftsman-Style kitchen designs here.
This kitchen has black white tones that are balanced by the hardwood flooring and the metallic modern appliances. The countertop of the kitchen island matches the countertops of the L-shaped peninsula with built-in cabinets and drawers.
Dining Rooms
See more Craftsman-Style dining designs here.
The elegant white coffered ceiling supports the dark iron chandelier hanging over the wooden round dining table. The table is surrounded by white cushioned parsons chairs that contrast the hardwood flooring.
Bedrooms
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See more Craftsman-Style bedroom designs here.
A single exposed wooden beam traverses the white ceiling and supports a brilliant chandelier that illuminates the traditional bed with white light. The bed faces a fireplace that is built into a stone housing that also supports the wall-mounted painting.
Bathrooms
See more Craftsman-Style bathroom designs here.
This is a bright Craftsman-Style bathroom with a white high cathedral ceiling that supports a chandelier. There is a freestanding bathtub by the French window across from the huge wooden structure that has two vanity areas that have built-in cabinets and drawers.
Entry Halls
See more Craftsman-Style entry hall designs here.
An elegant dark iron pendant light hangs from the white cove ceiling of this Craftsman-Style foyer. The white wooden main door has matching side lighting and a transom window that follows the lay of the cove ceiling. This is complemented by a cushioned bench and a console table topped with a mirror across from it.
Furniture
With the craftsman furniture style, you’ll find upholstered pieces that combine the use of leather and oversize tacks to get a more rustic look. The furniture will often feature these accents and will also have more understated designs to it than you’ll find in other styles. It has very basic elements that have that same handcrafted style.
You will see some accents, however, in things like carving and especially in carved balustrades up to the staircase. This helps to add a little more décor to space. Even still, there is a more simplistic style to everything as it tends to be focused more on the overall elements of the room itself rather than a lot of pieces throughout it.
This is a very comfortable style, however, and the entire home will reflect the designs of craftsman furniture.
Craftsman-Style Landscaping
This is a wonderful feat of wilderness landscaping that has its own flowing stream bordered with varying sizes of rocks. This follows the lay of the walkway to the main door. This walkway is lined by rows of shrubbery that match with the huge pine tree.
Included Craftsman Styles
Subsumed under the “Craftsman” umbrella term are several well-known designs. They include:
1. Bungalow
The original craftsman style built extensively throughout America. Here’s an example (without all the text and arrows):
2. Prairie style
This is the style developed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Here’s an example:
3. American Four Square
We wrote extensively about the American Four Square here. See our American Four Square photo gallery here. Below is an example.
4. Contemporary Craftsman
Today’s craftsman style homes are usually in the bungalow style, but much, much bigger. Some are rather luxurious which in a way by the original bungalow. Nevertheless, the contemporary craftsman incorporates many design features of the original bungalow. Here’s an example:
Examples: Check out this contemporary craftsman as well as this one. The examples above are courtesy of Architectural Designs.
Materials
The most popular materials for this design style are definitely linen, burlap, and even grasscloth with hand-stitched accents or even printed accents to evoke a more old-fashioned style. When it comes to the wood you’ll find some very rich grained pieces that are generally going to be made with oak.
The oak, however, is then fumed or even stained to get a darker look rather than the natural lightness. Metal pieces are common though they’ll generally be a hammered style to give a more rough texture and appearance to the pieces throughout the room.
Colors of sage, deeper yellow, and terracotta, as well as other warm colors, are common along with wallpapers in nature-inspired tones and looks.
Décor Accessories
Decorative aspects of the craftsman style are very basic as well and tend to be a little bit old style including mantel clocks and even lanterns. These pieces are generally going to be a little bit basic and won’t have a lot of exterior styling either.
The main focus is on their usefulness and versatility. They will likely be handcrafted and styled to make sure that they have a more rustic appearance and a natural fit into this type of room. You’ll also generally find things like framed tiles that help to accent the space and provide a more artistic look.
Other decorative aspects may be the actual woodwork itself which will be highlighted throughout the space. Rather than spending a lot of time and effort on other decorative pieces, the wood will be highlighted as an accent of its own.
This is especially true in areas like support beams and millwork which will often be exposed and may be carved or otherwise detailed to help draw attention to it and make it look even more special and important overall. These aspects can definitely create a unique appearance for the home and showcase the skills of the designer as well as any accessories. c
Why it Looks Great
So, just why does this style look great? Well, there are a lot of reasons that it’s a beautiful style and the most popular one is that it showcases the handiwork of the person who built it and created it. This design style is all about the natural beauty of the woodwork and what the designer and the builder did to create it.
By showcasing these aspects the craftsman style is actually formed and the more natural elements there are to showcase the better the design for those who like this particular layout. It definitely does create one of a kind feel and an inspiration that can’t be found in any other style
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