A Complete Guide To The Craftsman-Style House
UPDATED: Sep 12, 2024
Step inside the world of Craftsman-style houses, where every detail tells a story and every corner exudes classic charm. Craftsman-style houses are known for their timeless appeal and unique architectural features. From the distinctive gabled roofs to the handcrafted details, these homes exude a sense of warmth and character. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Craftsman-style houses, from their rich history to their enduring charm and how to incorporate their design elements into your home.
What Is A Craftsman House?
A Craftsman house is a type of architectural style that originated in the early 20th century. It's known for its simplicity, functionality and handcrafted details. Some of the most notable features of this type of home include low-pitched gabled roofs, overhanging eaves with exposed rafters and beams, a beautiful front porch and decorative beams under the gables. These houses typically have a sturdy, horizontal build with large, tapered columns that support the roof. The interior may feature unique elements such as built-in cabinets, window seats, natural materials like stone or brick and a grand fireplace. They're built with attention to artisanal craftsmanship and traditional spatial design.History Of The Craftsman-Style Home
The Craftsman house, also known as a bungalow, is a type of home that emerged due to the American Arts and Crafts Movement. This architectural style gained popularity in the early 20th century and is closely associated with the work of furniture maker Gustav Stickley. The Arts and Crafts Movement was a period in American history that emerged in response to industrialization in the late 19th century. It celebrated craftsmanship, simplicity and the use of natural materials. The movement embodied a shift toward handcrafted work and a rejection of mass-produced furniture that was prevalent during the Industrial Revolution. The Craftsman-style homes, with their emphasis on natural materials and artisanal craftsmanship, reflected the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement and remained a popular choice for construction into the 1920s. This architectural style has a rich history closely connected to the values of the Arts and Crafts Movement, making it a distinctive and significant part of American architectural history.
Craftsman houses were designed to highlight handiwork and a connection to nature and often featured open floor plans, exposed beams and built-in cabinetry. Over time, the traditional style of Craftsman homes has evolved to include modern amenities and design elements while retaining the original style's fundamental characteristics. New Craftsman homes today often incorporate modern updates such as larger kitchens, updated appliances and enhanced energy efficiency while maintaining the distinctive architectural elements that define Craftsman houses. This evolution shows a continued appreciation for the timeless charm and usefulness of Craftsman-style architecture.Interior And Exterior Architectural Features Of Craftsman-Style Homes
Now that we have gone over the background of a Craftsman-style home and its history, let's explore the distinct features of this architectural style that contribute to its uniqueness and historical significance.
| Interior Features | Exterior Features |
|---|---|
| Built-in cabinets and shelves | A covered or screened-in front porch |
| Hand-crafted stone and woodwork | A low-pitched gabled roof |
| Natural materials such as stone, wood and brick | Tapered columns that support the roof, typically sturdier at the bottom, becoming smaller at the top |
| Unique, custom-made features like window seats | Deep, overhanging roof eaves |
| Practical open floor plans with few hallways and small rooms that grant access from the kitchen to the rest of the home | Exposed rafter tails, also known as the beams sticking out of the house which can be seen under the eaves |
| A grand fireplace, often a highlight of the living room | Visible knee braces, the exposed triangle that supports a deep roof eave from underneath |
| A dedicated dining room, typically placed between the kitchen and the living room | Single dormers, centered and very large, often with multiple windows |
| Partially paned doors, typically the upper third of the door | |
| Washed-out earth tones, with a natural color palette of browns and greens |
Popular Types Of Craftsman Homes
There are four popular types of Craftsman houses, each with its own unique characteristics and charm that showcase distinct architectural differences. Let's take a look at each of these popular types of Craftsman homes.
Craftsman Bungalow
The Craftsman bungalow style is known for being affordable, ideal for small families, easy to maintain, sustainable and rich in historical and artistic elements. These characteristics make it an appealing choice for home buyers seeking a smaller yet attention-grabbing home. The bungalow is the most traditional type of Craftsman house. It’s easy construction and lower upkeep costs than larger homes contribute to its popularity. Bungalow Craftsman houses are typically single-story structures and gained popularity in Southern California in the early 1900s. The Craftsman bungalow style is notable for its gabled roofs, covered front porches, overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. These distinct architectural features add to the charm and appeal of this style of home.
Prairie-Style
The Prairie-style Craftsman home is known for its low-pitched roof with wide eaves, horizontal lines and an open floor plan. This style was developed in Chicago in the early 20th century by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The exterior typically incorporates natural materials such as stone, wood and stucco, with an emphasis on horizontal elements. The design often features a central chimney, large windows and integrated landscaping. Inside, you'll find built-in furniture and custom woodwork. This style focuses on simplicity, functionality and attention to detail while highlighting a strong connection to the surrounding environment and a sense of spaciousness.
Mission Revival
The Mission Revival Craftsman home is a beautiful and distinctive architectural style that has a rich history. It features a combination of Spanish Colonial and Mission architecture, characterized by its stucco walls, red tile roofs and arched doorways and windows. One of the unique features of a Mission Revival Craftsman home is the use of decorative details, such as colorful tiles and carved woodwork, which add to its distinctive charm. The interior typically includes exposed wood beams, built-in cabinetry and handmade tiles, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Four Square
The four-square Craftsman home got its name because it has four rooms, four rooms per floor. It’s known for its simple and practical design, with a square footprint, and its two-story layout, which began after World War I to meet the needs of growing families. This style of Craftsman home is found across the country and features many of the same traditional characteristics, though, including columns and low-incline roofs.
Pros And Cons Of Craftsman-Style Homes
When considering Craftsman-style homes, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages they offer.| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful and intricate woodwork: Handcrafted details and built-in furniture add to their unique charm and character | Difficulty finding original Craftsman-style homes: If you’re looking for a Craftsman style home that is a pure original, it will be more difficult depending on location, as many have been renovated or modified over the years |
| Open floor plans: Providing a spacious and inviting atmosphere for residents and guests | Maintenance may require extra effort: Maintain intricate woodwork and details of Craftsman-style home may require additional time and effort compared to more modern homes with simpler designs |
| Affordability: The cost is more affordable compared to other types of homes | Limited storage space: Because these types of homes are smaller than others, some Craftsman-style homes may have smaller closets and less storage space |
| Quality material and craftsmanship contributes to the durability and longevity of the home | Renovation and repair challenges: Because of the unique architectural style, finding artisans with the skills to renovate or repair these homes may be more difficult and potentially more expensive than more standard home designs |
| Historic elements: Pieces of history that connect to a home make the value of the home and artistry of the home more attractive to buyers | Potential lower energy efficiency and modern amenities: These homes may not always offer the same level of energy efficiency or modern amenities as newer homes which could result in higher utility costs and additional renovation expenses |
FAQs: Craftsman-Style Houses
Still need a little bit more information about Craftsman-style houses? Check out these frequently asked questions, which will give you valuable insights into this unique type of home.
How much do Craftsman houses typically cost?
Craftsman houses typically cost between $300,000 and $500,000, but the cost can vary greatly depending on the location. In some areas, especially in popular cities with high demand in the West and East coast, prices can exceed $1 million. On the other hand, in more affordable areas such as the Midwest or South, Craftsman houses can be found at the lower end of that price range or even below. The cost also depends on the house's size, condition and specific features.
Where can I find Craftsman houses for sale?
To find Craftsman houses for sale, you can start by searching online. You can also consider contacting local real estate agents who specialize in historic or vintage homes, as they may have listings or be able to help you in your search. Attending open houses where you want your next home to be located in addition to homes that are focused on historic properties could provide you some opportunities to view Craftsman homes for sale as well.
What’s the difference between a Craftsman house vs. a Craftsman bungalow?
The difference between a Craftsman house and a Craftsman bungalow is their size and layout. Craftsman houses are typically larger and may have two or more stories, while Craftsman bungalows are smaller, usually single-story homes. Craftsman houses also often feature more complex architectural details and may have a more formal layout, while Craftsman bungalows prioritize a cozy and open floor plan. Also, as stated above, Craftsman bungalows are usually affordable and ideal for small families, while Craftsman houses are a bit pricier for larger families.
What’s the difference between a Craftsman house vs. a cottage?
The main difference between a Craftsman house and a cottage is in their architectural style and design features. Craftsman houses are typically characterized by a low-pitched roof, exposed rafters and spacious porches, offering a sense of openness. On the other hand, cottage-style homes often feature a more compact size, asymmetrical layout and a cozy, rustic ambiance, which is more comforting. Additionally, Craftsman houses tend to showcase intricate woodwork and built-in furniture, whereas cottages often incorporate elements of a more relaxed feel.The Bottom Line
Craftsman-style homes are perfect for home buyers looking for a cozy, open-spaced home with natural beauty, history and artistry. If you’re ready to start searching for a Craftsman-style home you can work with an agent today using Rocket HomesSM.
Kara Porter
Kara Porter is a writing intern. She is a junior at Southern University and A&M College earning her B.A. in Mass Communications.
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