What comes to mind when you read suburban houses?

A single-family home situated alone on a hectare of land with farm and garden areas? That’s somehow true, but not entirely! Suburban houses are more than you can think of!

If you’re planning to build your new home project using suburban house design, I have great ideas for you. And we’re not talking about the Minecraft suburban house, but the real ones. No matter whether you want to build a residence on the city’s outskirts or even in a rural area, these suburb house designs will help you find true inspiration. In this guide, I’m going to explain everything about a suburban house, from its actual definition and characteristics to its different types and styles. 

So, let’s dive in. 

What Is a Suburban House?

Suburban living refers to houses situated on the outskirts of urban areas. The suburban residential dwelling features spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods, and easy access to urban amenities. This single-family home community has a focus on creating a balance between city housing and green spaces. This is why suburban houses are becoming popular among families seeking housing options that offer peaceful yet convenient lifestyles.

Key Characteristics of Suburban House Design

Suburban House Characteristics

What does a suburban house look like? 

Just like every architectural style, suburban homes also have some common key elements that make them unique. 

Here are the primary characteristics of suburban houses:

  • Spacious Layouts

A suburb house typically features open and spacious floor plans. It also has ample living space both inside and outside. These homes also have multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and dedicated living areas to accommodate growing families. 

  • Attached Garages

Cars are king in suburbia, with garages providing shelter for vehicles and additional storage space.

  • Backyard Swimming Pool

Every family can’t build a swimming pool while living in a city, but suburban living gives you an excellent opportunity to fulfill your dream. These residential properties have backyard pools so that residents can enjoy a relaxing time with their family and friends. 

  • Indoor Garden

To create a connection between indoors and outdoors, indoor gardens are built. These beautiful interior gardens are filled with exotic plants and trees to give you a tropical paradise inside your house.

  • Private Yard

Suburban homes always have private yards, perfect for people who love gardening and outdoor activities.

  • Privacy 

Suburban houses are also known for their privacy, and that’s why they have covered fences and gates to offer a sense of seclusion from the hustle and bustle of city life.

  • Curb Appeal

Just like any other architectural style, the suburban house exterior plays an important role. The suburban homes feature landscaping and architectural details that offer a welcoming impression and an attractive overall appearance. 

  • Community Amenities

There are community parks, gyms, and common spaces to create connections among all the residents living in the suburban community. 

Types of Suburban Houses

After reading here, you now know what suburban living is, its characteristics, and its benefits. So, it’s time to move forward to the types of houses you can build in this architectural style. From modern suburban homes to traditional suburban designs, there are numerous unique house designs and ideas to choose from. 

Below is a list of 21 spectacular suburban house ideas:

1. Traditional Suburban House Styles

Traditional Suburban House Styles
  • Let’s start with the traditional colonial style because it has a timeless look that never goes out of style. 
  • This type of home features large rooms with traditional details, stone bricks, a simple color scheme, and windows in different sizes. 
  • They also have a single roof and shutters and do not have a built-in front porch. The overall vibe is functional, simple, and inviting. 

2. Modern Suburban House Ideas

Modern Suburban House Ideas
  • Modern suburban houses feature minimalist designs with sharp, defined lines, large glass windows, and neutral color themes. 
  • Industrial and sustainable materials are used to build these square and rectangular-shaped dwellings. 
  • For example, the above modern home has a gorgeous white theme with pops of gray or black used both inside and outside. 

3. Modern Farmhouse Suburban Houses

Modern Farmhouse Suburban Houses
  • Farmhouse doesn’t mean it has to be related to an agricultural lifestyle; it is an aesthetic. 
  • Modern farmhouse suburban style means it is a combination of contemporary, modern design with farmhouse elements.
  • The house exteriors are made of brick or wood and are usually painted bright white. 
  • Other details of this house are galvanized steel material, tobacco baskets, uniform windows, and milk pails. 

4. Cottage Suburban Homes

Cottage Suburban Homes
  • The cottage fairy lifestyle is one of the most viral housing trends right now. 
  • The suburban cottage home can be considered both a permanent residential house and a vacation home.
  • These houses are primarily found in the countryside, but today, cottage construction can also be seen in urban areas.
  • This dreamy house may look like a small suburban house but is quite spacious. It features small porches, bay windows, stucco walls, and small balconies.

5. Split Level Suburban Homes

Split Level Suburban Homes
  • As its name suggests, suburban houses are divided into two parts: the first one is single, and the other half is split into two parts (vertically). 
  • The top part is usually constructed to be used as a bedroom, and the lower part is used for a garage or basement. However, if you want, you can turn it into a second living area or additional bedrooms for your growing family.
  • These types of properties are considered expensive and have a good resale value in the real estate market. 

6. French Country Suburb House Styles

French Country Suburb House Style
  • French country-suburban houses are highly inspired by French architecture.
  • These houses feature stone or stucco exteriors, exposed wooden beams, dormer windows, and a touch of rustic elegance.
  • Grand stone fireplaces are also included to keep the place warm and cozy. 
  • When it comes to color schemes and patterns, the French suburban homes have warm color tones, toile patterns, and floral motifs. 

7. Spanish Suburban House Style

Spanish Suburban House Style
  • Spanish architecture is something that everyone admires. The reason behind this is its unique designs, distinct characteristics, and intricate details, which make it stand out from the other architectural styles. 
  • This suburban house has massive windows to get plenty of natural light and air, creating a flowy ambiance. 
  • It also has a large entrance and outdoor seating area to spend quality time with loved ones. 

8. Craftsman Suburban Houses

Craftsman Suburban Houses
  • Craftsman-style homes have made a huge comeback with modern elements, and now they’re known as the modern craftsman suburban house style. 
  • Initially built for convenience and ease of construction, these homes today feature a comfy lifestyle with modern amenities. 
  • They’re well known for details like exposed beams, natural materials, brightly painted front doors, large peaked roofs, and bungalow-style designs.
  • Craftsman suburban houses are a timeless choice for suburban living.

9. Tudor Suburban House Ideas

Tudor Suburban House Ideas
  • Identifying a Tudor suburban house is relatively easy, as it has characteristics like steeply pitched roofs, decorative half-timbering, and brick or stucco exteriors.
  • Overall, the Tudor suburban houses exude old-world charm.
  • Windows usually have small panes or wood accents along with red brick exteriors. 

10. Mediterranean Suburban House Ideas

Mediterranean Suburban House Ideas
  • Mediterranean homes are considered to be luxurious architectural styles. 
  • These dwellings feature unique stucco exteriors painted in white or neutral tones. 
  • Roofs are covered with red clay or copper tiles, rounded dormers, and archways. 
  • Another widely used material for this suburban house style is wrought iron, which is heavily used for balconies, window grilles, patios, and handrails.

11. Cape Cod Suburban House Ideas

Cape Cod Suburban House Ideas
  • The East Coast of the United States inspires Cape Cod’s architectural style. 
  • This style has single-story buildings featuring simple, symmetrical overall design, cedar shingle siding, and steeply pitched gable shingle roofs.
  • Other noticeable things about this American suburban house are brick chimneys, decorative window shutters, and front patios or porches.

12. Federal Suburban Home 

Federal Suburban Home
  • Federal architecture, or Federal style, is an American architectural style that gained immense popularity from the late 18th to the early 19th century. 
  • This suburban house layout has a symmetrical facade and rectangular shape, with lots of windows in even numbers. 
  • These suburban house plans often have brick or wood exteriors, with front door details like decorative moldings and sidelights.

13. Colonial Suburban House Style

Colonial Suburban House Style
  • Large rooms, rectangular house shapes, brick or wood construction – these three are the key characteristics of the colonial suburb house.
  • These grand and stylish buildings are typically two or three stories commonly found in the eastern region of the United States. 
  • This American suburban house promotes spacious living while creating a friendly environment in the neighborhood. 

14. Georgian Suburban House

Georgian Suburban House
  • You can instantly recognize a Georgian suburban house by looking at its symmetry and proportion. 
  • The main door is always placed at the center, with two windows on each side. 
  • Georgian houses in suburban settings may have an elaborate floor plan with multiple stories and a grand appearance.
  • There are other decorative elements like columns, pediments, and crown molding.

15. Victorian Suburban Houses

Victorian Suburban Houses
  • Victorian houses are one of the most iconic and rare architectural styles in history. 
  • Victorian homes are commonly two to three, or sometimes four, stories tall.
  • These homes are filled with interesting and decorative elements such as high ceilings, intricate molding, and massive chandeliers.
  • There are also painted wooden beams and a balcony over the front porch, along with quirky woodwork.

16. Mid Century Modern Suburban Houses

Mid Century Modern Suburban Houses
  • Mid-century modern homes originated in the 1930s and remain a popular housing style among people around the globe.
  • These houses feature a simple, straightforward design with clean lines, functional wooden pieces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • You can also notice plenty of sleek, curved designs all over the place. 
  • The vibe is modern and minimalist, which looks aesthetic and functional at the same time. 
  • Mid-century modern suburban houses are perfect for people looking for stylish and timeless options.

17. Shingle Style Suburban House

Shingle-Style Suburban House
  • These types of suburban homes are characterized by the placement of cedar shingles on the exterior walls to achieve a rustic appearance. 
  • Unlike modern houses, these are irregular shapes and sizes. 
  • They also have asymmetrical facades, irregular rooflines with intersecting gables, and large porches or verandas. 

18. Ranch Suburban Houses

Ranch Suburban Houses
  • The next suburban home on the list is the Ranch style, which has gained popularity as the suburban region grows.
  • This house has a simple rectangular, U, or L shape with red brick and beige stone material construction.
  • It also has small, simple windows, white pillars on the front porch, chimneys, and a colorful red door with stained-glass accents. 

19. Contemporary Suburban House Ideas

Contemporary Suburban House Ideas
  • Contemporary style is actually a combination of modern farmhouse, mid-century modern, or modern boho.
  • If you’re planning to build your house in the contemporary suburban style, consider including elements from all three styles mentioned above. 
  • Look at the above picture, where you can notice the large white pillars, white walls, black shutters, and dormers.
  • These things create an inviting and stylish curb appeal. 

20. Art Deco Suburban House

Art Deco Suburban House
  • Art Deco isn’t just architecture; it’s a visual art that is characterized by bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and lavish ornamentation.
  • Art Deco houses are known for their sleek, modern look and luxurious feel.
  • When it comes to the Art Deco suburban house style, the flat roofs, smooth stucco walls, and geometric patterns are the most recognizable elements.

21. Prairie Style Suburb House

Prairie Style Suburb House
  • The Prairie Style is an architectural style that American architect Frank Lloyd Wright developed in the early 20th century.
  • This suburban house design includes a central chimney, spacious open floor plans, and long, band-like rows of windows.
  • Wood and stone are the most commonly used materials to construct these suburban homes.

Build a Suburban Residence!

So, this is all about the suburban houses. This architectural style consists of many other house designs, including sleek modern suburban residences, traditional farmhouse suburbs, and classic Victorian styles. The best thing is that you don’t have to follow a set guideline. You can include or add things you like in your suburban house design for your comfort and convenience.

FAQs

Are suburban houses expensive?

The cost of a suburban house can vary depending on factors like location, size, and features. On average, suburban houses are more affordable than luxury homes in urban areas, but they can still be expensive compared to rural properties.

What factors should I consider when choosing a suburban house?

When selecting a suburban house design, it’s vital to consider factors such as location, size, layout, amenities, proximity to schools and shopping centers, and the overall condition of the property. It’s also important to consider your budget and long-term housing needs.

How much does a suburban house cost? 

The cost of a suburban house varies greatly depending on location, size, and features. In general, they tend to be more affordable than luxury homes in urban areas, but can still be expensive compared to rural properties. The median sales price of existing single-family homes in the United States is around $388,800 (as of April 2023).

What interior design trends are popular for suburban homes?

Some popular trends include the use of neutral color palettes, incorporating open shelving, utilizing natural materials like wood and stone, integrating smart home technology, and creating home offices or flexible spaces.

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