by Michael Buck
10/10/2018
Trends come and go, but some home styles are popular enough to last for decades, or even longer. Over the years, homeowners have leaned toward certain colors and tones for these classic designs. Here’s a look at six of America’s favorite home styles and three popular siding colors to match each one.
You can also visit the James Hardie design tips page for more inspiration and advice on your home’s exterior.
Popular Craftsman House Colors
The craftsman home style originated in the late 1800s, when the Industrial Revolution’s mass standardization made people crave handcrafted design and natural materials. In recent years, the craftsman style has had a major resurgence. In fact, a 2018 poll from Trulia ranked this home style as the most popular among Americans.
Popular craftsman house colors typically draw inspiration from nature. Among the most preferred siding colors are beiges, greens and browns. There is usually a strong contrasting trim color to highlight the style’s unique rooflines.
Explore other siding ideas for craftsman-style homes built with exterior solutions by James Hardie in our Photo Showcase.
Popular Farmhouse Exterior Colors
The farmhouse is a popular American style thanks in part to our country’s agricultural roots. It was originally designed by colonial families with functionality and durability in mind. The style has progressed over the years and has now taken on a flexible and comforting characteristic as well. Its clean lines and unadorned aesthetic makes it a favorite among homeowners who enjoy simple living.
Popular farmhouse exterior colors are reminiscent of the open prairie—cloud-like white, barn reds, and sky blues. These are go-to shades if you’re looking for farmhouse siding ideas.
Explore other siding ideas for farmhouse-style homes built with exterior solutions by James Hardie in our Photo Showcase.
Popular Colonial House Colors
When Europeans sailed to the American colonies in the 1700s they brought this boxy, symmetrical, and subtly formal home style with them. The popularity of colonial homes came roaring back in the 1970s when the country celebrated its bicentennial and Americans developed a taste for the home style of their founding fathers.
Owners of colonial and neo-colonial homes gravitate toward subtle, more traditional shades. Royal blues, parchment-colored beiges, and reds are popular colonial house colors.
Explore other siding ideas for colonial-style homes built with exterior solutions by James Hardie in our Photo Showcase.
Popular Cape Cod House Colors
The Cape Cod home style also has its roots in colonial America. This style was most prevalent in Massachusetts and other settlements in the Northeast. Since then it has grown in popularity and has spread to other areas of the country as well. The presence of shutters, shingles, and dormers (windows with their own pitched roofs) are typical characteristics that you’d find in a Cape Cod-style home.
Look to the sea if you need Cape Cod siding ideas. Whites, sandy beiges and ocean blues are some of the most popular Cape Cod house colors.
Explore other siding ideas for Cape Cod-style homes built with James Hardie products in our Photo Showcase.
Popular Victorian House Colors
The Victorian era stems from the reign of the English monarch Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. The period is characterized by opulence and excess, especially in design. Homes in the Victorian style are large and imposing (with two stories or more). They typically have towers, turrets, pointed roofs, and intricate wooden detailing called “gingerbreading.”
Today, there are two general trends when it comes to popular Victorian house colors. Some owners play down their home’s elaborate details by selecting tan, white, or other neutral siding hues. Others go the opposite direction with bold primary colors (like green) and equally bold accent colors.
Explore other siding ideas for Victorian-style homes built with James Hardie products in our Photo Showcase.
Popular Beach House Colors
Beach homes—particularly on the Southeast coast—are made for relaxing. It’s a residential style designed to be bright, airy, fun, and low maintenance.
It’s no surprise that beach house colors are much more adventurous and playful than inland home colors. Draw inspiration for beach house siding ideas from a rainbow of bright colors, especially greens, yellows and blues.
If you're thinking about replacing your siding, download our Inspiration Guide, which shows the stunning possibilities for your home.
Get the Inspiration Guide Here.
