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Most Cape Cod-style homes have a plain front entry with little to no trim or details. Later versions became more decorative, sometimes featuring a small portico. Some also have painted pilasters or, in the case of very elaborate setups, porch columns.
Cape Cod Home Windows
Most of the inhabitants were sailors, lobstermen, or fishermen, and their houses were designed to withstand the harsh temperament of the region. “The houses reflected that; it’s a very efficient type of house,” Wright adds. Despite the common characteristic of a central door with two parallel aligned windows, these Cape Cod style homes vary in designs and features that mix-match and complement each other. Regarding scale and proportion, these homes range from plain square or rectangular structures to massive abodes.
Cape Cod house style – the ultimate guide to what it is and how to get the look
Simple and functional, Saltbox homes are primarily found in the Northeast, where their distinctive rooflines help melt snow to fall off of roofs during cold winters. This style has been updated for more contemporary-looking homes found in beach towns, where simple designs allow the environment to take center stage. Although the style faded a bit in popularity, it found a resurgence in the early to mid-1900s when it was called Cape Cod Revival.
Cape Cod House Siding
The history of Cape Cod architecture continued as the original wave of houses in this style was built from 1690 to 1850. The second wave, Cape Cod Revival, was built from the 1920s to the 1950s and helped popularize the style, spreading across the United States. Other room decor choices include early American handmade furniture like Windsor chairs, ladder back chairs, and wicker furniture. Ocean-inspired colors like sage green, aquamarine, and buttery beige tones give these homes a beachy, comfy vibe.
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A typical home has two to three bedrooms and a big central fireplace to gather around with family, friends, and guests. The upper half-story can be used as bonus space, storage space, or an extra bedroom. The Cape Cod-style home is architecturally iconic and one of the most popular house styles in the U.S., along with the colonial-style, Tudor-style, and the row house. Learn more about the long history of this quaint architectural style, the defining characteristics that set it apart, and the different types of Cape Cod-style homes. According to Home Edit, many Capes feature wood trim, but in more modern takes, it's bright white to contrast any other timeless pieces in the home. The outlet also notes that natural materials are the best to decorate with in Cape Cod homes, since it highlights those wood elements and brings the build back to its early roots.
More Classic American House Styles
The Samuel Landon house shown here was built in 1750 in Southold, New York on Long Island, a boat-ride from Cape Cod. Small, economical, and practical, the Cape Cod style house was built all across America during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. But Cape Cod architecture began centuries before in colonial New England. This photo gallery shows a variety of Cape Cod houses, from simple colonial Cape Cods to modern-day versions.
Cape Cod House Floor Plan
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Many Cape Cod–style homes include decks or porches to make outdoor living more accessible. A fresh coat of paint has the power to make or break a space, but don’t worry; when it comes to Cape Cod houses, it’s perfectly fine to keep your color palette simple. Don’t be discouraged if the basement could not be your party place for this house as the other beautiful features of this style will definitely leave you feeling charmed. “There can be a very thick layer of aesthetics laid over the function,” Seifter says. “Each generation tried to be true to the original form, but these were more modern houses and they had to accommodate functions that were not in the original versions.
Additionally, Cape Cod house style is notoriously free of any superfluous ornamentation, making them versatile enough for a variety of homeowners. Similar to the exterior geometry, the interior layout is planned symmetrically with the front door opening into the majestic central hall. Most of the houses are comparatively smaller, ranging from 1000 to 2000 square feet in size. The half-Cape has a single, off-center door with two windows to one side. The layout usually centers around a large central fireplace and the common room or kitchen, with the bedrooms, pantries, parlor, and rear entry branched off the central kitchen.
The smaller size can be a positive attribute for Cape Cod homes, making them affordable, practical, and efficient – yet cozy and charming. There’s less space to clean, heat, maintain, or furnish, and many rooms are multi-functional, with built-in shelving and storage features. The exterior commonly features a smaller yard, which means less mowing and shoveling. The steep roofs also prevent heavy snow from accumulating over the winter. Overall, the Cape Cod-style house is an excellent choice for homebuyers searching for a modestly sized home, whether as a starter home or when it’s time to downsize. Cape Cod architecture was named for the Massachusetts coastal region where Puritan carpenters settled at Cape Cod Bay in the 1700s.
Still, these homes are most often found throughout the New England coast including areas like Cape Cod; Martha’s Vineyard; Nantucket; Watch Hill, Rhode Island; or even the Hamptons in New York. White paint and black shutters was a popular pairing during the Cape Cod revival. However, you can always reinvigorate your façade with a different combination.
They were popular in the Midwest and West, merging with the Bungalow style in California to create a uniquely West Coast look. Shingle shakes and wood clapboards are additional distinguishing features of Cape Cod-style homes. Wood was a plentiful local material for those just settling on the East Coast. Before pre-milled lumber, cedar shakes were hand-split from blocks of wood using a mallet.
The traditional decor and construction materials give tribute to durability and function. If you’re looking to update your home or give it a complete facelift, here are a few fresh design ideas that can breathe new life into a Cape Cod house. Shiplap is a typical exterior siding style that got its name for looking like the wood planking of a ship's siding. Since Cape Cod homes are heavily nautically influenced, try shiplap or beadboard horizontal or vertical panels for interior rooms.
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