Popular Home Styles in Canada

Canada's long winters demand well-equipped home construction to handle ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. The climate, history, and landscape of Canada have shaped architectural styles and homes commonly seen here. A variety of options may make choosing a home style daunting, but Lesmee Studio helps you navigate the search to find a suitable fit for you. Below are some popular home styles in Canada and how to find the right one for you.

1. Choosing a Home Style

When exploring architectural styles and designs, it's important to personalize your search. Here are some important considerations when searching for popular home styles in Canada:

Space: Does an open space suit your lifestyle? Can you comfortably live in a smaller space and save money for rooms you may never use?

Durability: How does your home withstand elements? Is it built, insulated, and maintained well to cope with harsh winters? If it's an older home, has it been updated?

Family Size: How large is your family, which rooms do you spend most of your time in, and how much space might you need in the future?

Appeal: Which home style appeals to all who will live there?

Lifestyle: How does the home style or type of property align with the lifestyle you want? For example, are multiple levels convenient for you? If you have pets, does the condo bylaws allow them? If you're opting for a farmhouse-style home with large windows, does it provide the privacy you need?

2. Popular Architectural Styles in Canada

2.1 Gothic Style

Gothic homes are closely tied to Canada's colonial history. English settlers brought their architectural style to Canada, introducing homes with Gothic or Tudor details like pointed arch windows, scalloped trim, or elaborately decorated large windows. From the 19th to the 20th century, English architectural styles found their place in Canada and still manifest prominently in the aesthetics of many traditional Canadian homes. The Parliament Hill building in Ottawa is an excellent example of this architectural style. These homes are most commonly found in Toronto and small towns in Ontario like Dundas, Ontario.

2.2 Colonial Style

Colonial homes share some characteristics with Gothic homes. Colonial constructions in Canada often have steeply pitched roofs, large chimneys, and smaller windows. Colonial homes can be Georgian-style, featuring white painted brick, or French or German Colonial with wooden siding, timber framing, or exterior staircases.

2.3 Farmhouse Style

A farmhouse-style home is typically a one-story home, often with an open interior, large windows, and outdoor space. This style was originally built to allow the interior of the home to have immediate access to rural landscapes. These homes are common in rural areas of Canada. Today, farmhouse-style homes are popular for their spacious interiors and open layout concepts. One-story homes allow busy families to monitor children as they multitask. They are also great for those with limited mobility or who prefer to avoid stairs.

2.4 Craftsman Style

Craftsman homes are typically built with horizontal lines and natural materials to create a warm, rustic appearance. Exposed beams and wooden posts and a front porch with a gable roof are common features of this type of home. Craftsman-style homes around Canada's Great Lakes, such as in the Muskoka and Algonquin regions, often incorporate craftsmanship aesthetics to blend with the natural environment. Craftsman homes may include an additional floor or attic.

2.5 Modern Style

Modern architecture is increasingly popular in Canada's urban centers. Canadians have gradually invested in modern architecture over the past decade, with modernist construction popping up in city centers as well as rural spaces. Modern-style homes typically feature flat roofs, multiple layers, and boxy, industrial, square shapes. Modernist constructions are often well-built and require excellent craftsmanship, with open floor plans and no crown molding or ornate decorations like those of a Gothic home to conceal imperfections in construction.

Let Lesmee Studio help you choose the right home style for your needs. Confidently navigate countless options with a search experience based on the features and details that matter most to you. Our comprehensive search experience allows you to find a home that fits your vision. We also break down search results into understandable and helpful ways to guide you in the right direction.