9 Most Popular Architectural Styles in Sonoma County

The name and styling of Queen Anne Revival homes are derived from an English architectural movement. In Sonoma County, the Americanized interpretation of this architectural style makes for a quirky, regional phenomenon.

Queen Anne Revival homes have a few defining characteristics, starting with complex rooflines that feature a fairly steep pitch. Additionally, homes in this style are highly decorative, using a variety of exterior cladding and ornate details. Homes are wood-framed and often painted with as many as five or six different colors to help accentuate the various textures and trimmings that define the style.

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5. American Colonial Revival 

The American Colonial Revival is one of the most widespread and well-known residential architectural trends in American history. The origins of this style can be traced back to 1876, with peak popularity taking place through the 1940s. Entire neighborhoods in Sonoma County contain homes that borrow from the styling and charm of the American Colonial Revival.

You can recognize American Colonial Revival homes by their symmetrical facade, rectangular shape, and medium-pitched, side-gabled roof with narrow eaves. Homes are typically one or two stories and sometimes feature side porches or sunrooms. American Colonial Revival architecture was popular for public buildings and applied common details from British and Dutch Colonial styles. You’ll find government offices, post offices, libraries, banks, schools, and churches in Sonoma County that all bear influences from the American Colonial Revival.

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6. Craftsman

If you’re looking for a simple home with character, then the expansive selection of Craftsman homes in Sonoma County will not disappoint. Craftsman homes can be traced back to the 1860s, but they did not gain popularity until the 1920s and 1930s. The style was developed in response to the extravagant Victorian homes that were popular in the mid-19th century. Instead of dramatic features and grandeur, Craftsman homes focused on simplicity and warmth. 

From the outside, Craftsman homes are defined by powerful angles, covered front porches,  tapered columns, and overhanging roof eaves. Inside, you’ll find exposed ceiling beams, chunky window trim, and wide paneled doors. These homes use natural materials, wide porches, and an inviting layout. When you see the years of upgrades, customization, and love that have been put into craftsman homes, it’s no wonder they continue to hold value. 

7. American Foursquare 

Much like the Craftsman, American Foursquare homes were designed in response to the frivolous aesthetics of the Queen Anne Revival. Seemingly overnight, American Foursquare architecture gained popularity and dominated American residential styling from 1898 to 1908. Within this short window of time, thousands of American Foursquare homes sprung up across the U.S., and a drive through Sonoma County echoes this popularity.

As the name implies, American Foursquare homes are recognizable by their shape, and the structure typically has two stories. Foursquare homes were built using every assortment of available materials, and both brick and wood frames are common. Other identifying features include a front porch with wide stairs, large windows, and a steep roof. The boxy shape allows for greater usable space inside, with the upstairs almost entirely dedicated to bedrooms.

8. Hispanic

Throughout California, Hispanic-inspired architecture was popular from 1915 through the 1930s, beginning with the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915. The style was built on the same nostalgia that later culminated in the Mission Revival and Spanish Eclectic styles. Homes are primarily built from brick and stucco with tile roofing and are easily recognizable by their use of colonnades, arches, pillars, decorative tile, flooring, and metalwork. Healdsburg is a great place to see these styles in action.

9. California Ranch