The History of the Colonial House: Exploring the Original American Home

America has just crossed a monumental milestone, celebrating its 250th birthday. And, as the fireworks fade, there’s no better way to carry on the celebrations than by taking a stroll down memory lane to where it all began—and, more specifically, where those who founded our nation were living when they did so.

To truly understand how America became the nation it is today, it is important to first grasp the foundations that were laid more than a century before the Declaration of Independence was first signed.

The very first homes that were built in the country were done so by those who first traveled to the U.S. from Europe in the 1600s and 1700s, settling down while the country was under British rule.

These settlers brought with them architectural styles from England and across Europe, and began to build dwellings that were influenced by these trends—structures that would later become known as the classic Colonial homes that remain one of the country’s most popular property styles to this day.

​However, in the centuries since then, Colonial-style architecture has evolved into a massive umbrella of designs, influenced by the many cultures that traveled to the Americas in search of a new life.​

This melting pot of nationalities created a diverse set of homes all built from a similar foundation. Over the centuries, this gave rise to the British Colonial, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Southern Colonial, Colonial Revival, Saltbox, Cape Cod, and others.

​Here, Realtor.com® offers a brief look into the enthralling history of the American home that started it all.

What are the most distinctive elements of a Colonial home?

Because there are so many different styles of Colonial homes, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes a home “Colonial,” as each unique design takes its own spin on the Colonial silhouette.  

​However, some common characteristics that can be found in all Colonial-style homes include: a symmetrical, rectangular construction; two stories; and a wood, stone, or brick facade with a central door.

Other common elements include porches, columns, steeply pitched gable roofs to shed snow, chimneys, shutters, and dormer or multipaned sash windows.

​Inside, Colonial homes typically have a formal entryway with a big central staircase, long hallways, a closed-off floor plan, and painted muted or neutral colors. Bedrooms are frequently dedicated to the second level, while the living room and kitchen sit on the main floor.

​Here is a quick look at what makes some of the most popular Colonial homes one of a kind:

• ​Saltbox: One of the oldest types of Colonial homes, saltboxes feature a steeply pitched, asymmetrical roof and a clapboard siding, all built around a central chimney.

• ​Cape Cod: Originating on the Massachusetts seaside peninsula, Cape Cods are one- to 1.5-story coastal cottage homes that are typically much boxier than other Colonial houses.

• ​British Colonial: Equipped with higher ceilings, larger windows, an expansive veranda, and a raised foundation, British Colonial houses are luxurious and high-class.

• ​Dutch Colonial: Dutch Colonials can be spotted by their gambrel “Dutch roof” that slopes and has long eaves, making the home look barnlike in addition to its double chimneys.

• ​French Colonial: With wraparound porches on both levels, high ceilings, tall and skinny windows,  French-style doors, and square and symmetrical construction with hipped roofs, the French Colonial is the emblem of elegance.

• ​Spanish Colonial: The Spanish Colonial has a much more rustic appearance compared to its contemporaries. This style features white stucco walls, wooden beams, and red clay roof tiles.

• ​German Colonial: Built with heavy stone or timber for thick walls, steeply pitched roofs, small windows, and a central chimney, German Colonials were built for endurance and warmth.

• ​Georgian Colonial: Known for its perfect symmetry, the Georgian Colonial includes two chimneys on both sides of the roof and a front door decorated with pilasters.

• ​Southern Colonial: Also called “Greek Revival,” Southern Colonials are located on the back of a long driveway with colonnades set in front of a porch welcoming guests into the house.

• ​Colonial Revival: Evolving from the first Colonial homes, this style has a larger layout and windows, decorated with Victorian-era moldings and porticos.

When was the first Colonial home designed?

Colonial homes were first designed by European settlers arriving in the Americas in the early 1600s. The earliest documented example of a Colonial-style home, and America’s oldest home, is the Fairbanks House, located at 511 East Street in Dedham, MA.

​Constructed circa 1637 by Puritan settler Jonathan Fairbanks for his family, the Fairbanks House is the oldest surviving timber-frame home in North America. Before becoming a National Historic Landmark and museum, the home was occupied by eight generations, or 269 years, of the Fairbanks family before being sold to the family’s association in 1904.

​Traditional Colonial homes stopped being built around the time of the American Revolution (1763-1783) as British architecture was replaced with more modern, uniquely American designs. 

However, around 1880, the Colonial Revival emerged to celebrate the country’s centennial. This sparked a construction boom of colonial homes across the U.S.

Where are the best places to find colonial homes?

​Because the style originally evolved alongside the early settlements of the 13 colonies, the oldest authentic colonial homes are concentrated heavily in the Northeastern U.S., in states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

​However, when the Colonial Revival hit in the late 1800s, the style spread nationwide. Today, Colonial homes can be found in almost every state, and it remains an especially popular style in Southern states like Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia.

How have colonial homes changed over the years?

​One of the most obvious changes to Colonial homes over the years is their switch from being built with timber, clay, and other readily available materials at the time to sturdier materials like stone and brick.  

​Another significant evolution is the style advancing from closed-off, strict room division to a more open-concept layout that can blend rooms together, especially the kitchen and dining room.

​In a traditional Colonial home, kitchens were small, unattractive, and placed far away from other rooms to avoid heat and odor from finding their way into the rest of the house. However, larger, more modern kitchens are increasingly popular.

​Window sizes have also increased to include more natural lighting, and the addition of garages to the symmetrical build has become more common.

Why do people buy Colonial homes?

A Colonial-style home is a riveting acquisition for buyers looking for timeless elegance and historic roots. From its gorgeous pillars and symmetrical beauty, these homes don’t sit on the market for long.

​The simple, classic, and spacious rooms make decorating easy and entertaining a guarantee. The closed-off rooms offer a sense of privacy that can’t be replicated with an open-concept layout, and the ability to easily expand for larger families makes this design a must-have.

​However, Colonial homes do come with their faults. The upkeep and preservation materials for a true, historic Colonial home can be incredibly costly.

​Additionally, boxy rooms, small kitchens, and low ceilings can make the house feel cramped and most Colonial homes have quite a few stairs, which can cause mobility issues. Older Colonial homes often suffer from temperature imbalances due to the lack of insulation and aged foundation.

Ultimately, whether historic or newly built, the Colonial home remains an iconic piece of Americana—offering an everlasting elegance perfect for the right buyer.