Though Colonial styling originated in Europe in the 1600s, it sprang to life in the 1700s when colonists began settling the land that is now America’s Eastern Seaboard. Colonial houses started as two-story homes with one room on each floor. Today’s designs are far from the originals, but they still showcase some features that were prevalent when colonists first settled the New World. Today’s Colonial home plans are known for the following:

• Distinct rectangular or square shape
• Typically designed at two-story homes
• Featured a strong use of symmetry
• Front door is centrally located and flanked with windows on either side
• Doors are accented with flattened columns on each side
• Stairway is located directly behind the entry/front door
• Incorporate heavy wooded or wood-paneled doors
• Offer a pair of chimneys (one on either side/end of the home) or one chimney on one end of the home
• A hallway/foyer bisects each floor into left and right sides
• Pitched roofs have a minimal overhang
• Exterior is finished with clapboard siding (or siding that looks like clapboard)
• Dormer windows are sometimes included in the second floor
• Some or all rooms showcase hardwood floors
• Exterior decoration is kept to a minimum

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Tags: Colonial home, Colonial House Plans

How cute is that?  This house plan, with its Cape Cod style, looks remarkably like a lighthouse. It’s just begging for a lot on the seashore. Two bedrooms and a full bath are snugly tucked away on the lower walk-in level. Just up the stairs locates the busy part of the home, which includes the kitchen, laundry facilities, and dining area plus a half bath. Going up one more level you’ll find a nice open room with access to a balcony that wraps completely around the house. To most, it’s called a living room but with an awesome 360 degree view, maybe it should be called a dream room. With its accompanying full bathroom, a person could spend the entire day up here. What a cozy nest for newlyweds. Or better yet, share it with the family as your very own vacation getaway. Whether it’s located on the beach, lakeside or in the middle of an enchanted forest, this unique home plan with a view can only bring a smile to your face. Oh yes, leaving the lights on is optional.

If you’d like to view more unique house plans like this one or others with similar Cape Cod charm you’ll find plenty to browse in our designated home plan collections.

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Tags: Cape Cod home plans, Cape Cod House Plans, unique home plans, Unique House Plans