Home styles explained better than a pinterest board.
When it comes to designing a custom home in Atlanta, picking out the style of your home can take awhile. After all, this is the home that’s going to represent your hard work for decades to come, possibly the rest of your life. Getting this right can lead to your house being the best on the block, or sticking out like a sore thumb…
There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to your home’s exterior. The home’s style, siding material, exterior colors, and crafting that perfect driveway with landscaping. So today we’ll help you narrow down your choices with the most popular home styles in Atlanta. Use it as inspiration for your next custom home build – when you know what you want it makes the contracting process a lot easier for both you and your contractors!
Looking For Something In Particular?
- Still On The Fence About A Custom Home?
- Colonial Revival (and Neo-Colonial)
- Craftsman Bungalows
- Victorian (Queen Anne, Folk Victorian)
- Tudor Revival
- Ranch Style
- Mid-Century Modern
- Modern & Contemporary
- Modern Farmhouse
- Cape Cod
- Southern Vernacular
Still On The Fence About A Custom Home?
Building your custom home in Atlanta versus buying is a decision you certainly won’t regret if you build the home you’ve always wanted. More and more homeowners are choosing to build their homes in Atlanta too–here’s why:
You Get To Live In Exactly What You Want
When you get a custom home built, you get to design it exactly how you want it. From big decisions like the home’s style, living-room and kitchen floor plan, down to the subtler details like kitchen cabinets, floor finishes and interior paint colors. There’re no compromises on what you want, since you’re designing it from the ground up, unlike moving into a pre-existing home and having to invest just as much on remodels.
You’re Not Just The Owner, You’re Also The Founder.
There’s something deeply satisfying about living in a home that was built just for you. Every hallway you walk across, every cabinet opened, every room you enter is your vision, not someone else’s. Whether this is your forever home or decide to move out one day, this is literally a legacy investment. Every memory made within these walls will be special knowing it’s under the roof that protects your family’s legacy.
Today’s Homes Save You Lots Of Money In The Long Run
Building in 2025 means getting today’s latest innovations—energy-efficient HVAC systems, smart home tech, and durable low-maintenance materials. These upgrades save you money long-term and boost your home’s resale value. You’re building a house that’s future-ready, rather than patching up a house from the past.
Want a more in-depth look at why building your custom home is better than buying? Check out our full-length blog post, here
10 Popular Home Styles In Atlanta
These are the most popular styles we see across Metro Atlanta. Using any of these styles will cement your status as a true Atlantan and stand out from your neighbors if done right.
Colonial Revival (and Neo-Colonial)
This style represents a late 19th and early 20th-century architectural style that puts a different spin on early American colonial designs, blending historical elements with larger estates and more complex Victorian-era details.
Oversized yet not too flashy. These older-styled homes never go out of style and are known for their symmetry, brick façades, and decorative columns – offering a sense of dignity and tradition in neighborhoods across Atlanta.
Best for: Established families looking for long-term stability and a classic look. Ideal for those who prefer symmetry, tradition, and formal layouts. Popular in suburban areas of Atlanta where curb appeal and resale value are a big competition.
Craftsman Bungalows
A style popularized from 1900-1920’s, this house screams “cozy” without feeling like a cutesy home. Most commonly used with one to one and a half story homes, it’s one of Atlanta’s most beloved styles, especially in historic areas like Inman Park and Candler Park. Look for exposed wood, large tapered porch columns, and handcrafted charm.
Best for: Younger families or couples who want charm and character without too much upkeep. These homes are perfect for design lovers who value built-ins, cozy porches, and handcrafted details. You’ll often find them in historic, walkable neighborhoods like Candler Park or Inman Park.
Victorian (Queen Anne, Folk Victorian)
So what are Victorian homes anyway? Without turning this into a history lecture, Victorian homes are modeled after ones built in Great Britain during Queen Victoria’s reign in the 19th century.
These elegant homes prominently feature bay windows, wraparound porches, and decorative trim, which are particularly enchanting in Grant Park, West End, and Candler Park. If castles were turned into homes, Victorian homes would be the closest thing to it.
Best for: Creative professionals or families who want personality in every corner. These homes, with wraparound porches and ornate trim, suit homeowners who enjoy bold, vintage design. Found in historic districts like Grant Park and West End. Yes, you can be young and enjoy Victorian homes.
Tudor Revival
This medieval-inspired architectural style rose in popularity through the late 19th to early 20th century. The half-timbering features give it that “Game of Thrones” flair, while still keeping it grounded in reality through steep roofs and picturesque landscaping (that which barbarians never had). These old-world-styled homes feel right at home in neighborhoods like Druid Hills and Avondale Estates.
Best for: Families who want a “storybook” fantasy feel and aren’t afraid of unique, old-world design. Steep roofs and rich materials make these homes ideal for neighborhoods like Druid Hills or Avondale Estates.
Ranch Style
Now moving more towards American-style homes. Ranch style homes aren’t just popular in Atlanta, but across the entire south, and even the mid west. These long, ground-hugging homes are common in Decatur and Marietta—accessible and adaptable. Convenient for families who want to do more with less. Who needs a second story when you have this beaut?
Best for: Retirees, empty nesters, or busy families who want low-maintenance, single-level living. Known for their practicality and ease of use, ranch homes are common in suburban areas like Decatur and Marietta.
Mid-Century Modern
Think ranch style homes with a splash of modernity. Like ranch styles, mid-century modern homes are a minimalist one-floor home, decorated nicely with modern touches like clean lines, a low-sloped roof, and earthy materials like wood and stone that make up the exterior. This retro-modern style is a favorite as it’s the middle child of the early and late 20th century.
Best for: Design-forward homeowners, often professionals or small families. Perfect for those who love open layouts, natural light, and sleek, retro style. Found in neighborhoods like Northwoods or in pockets of Decatur.
Modern & Contemporary
If you’re a fan of big windows, balconies, minimalist color palettes, and blockier homes, chances are you love modern & contemporary homes. These homes use steel, glass, and flat roofs (a very prominent feature for this style)—perfect for Atlanta surroundings in Buckhead and Midtown. Pools are especially pretty with these types of homes and can make your home look like a 5-star hotel.
Best for: Professionals, executives, or small families who want today’s latest design with bold, sleek finishes. These homes shine in trendy, upscale neighborhoods like Buckhead and Midtown.
Modern Farmhouse
A Modern Farmhouse house is essentially the next generation of the farmhouse trend — blending classic Southern farmhouse elements with contemporary design touches for a look that’s both timeless and stylish. Merging rustic boards-and-batten with sharp, black-trim accents. It’s cozy, yet polished—popular in new subdivisions and exurbs.
Best for: Growing families who want comfort, functionality, and a touch of rustic charm. Great for those who like open kitchens, porches, and black-trim windows. Most common in new suburban developments north of Atlanta.
Cape Cod
A classic American home style, dating all the way back to the 17th century. These homes are one and a half stories, usually featuring a triple gable. Compact, charming, and easygoing. With steep roofs and dormer windows, these homes are a staple in suburban Atlanta settings like McDonough. If you like symmetry, this is a great option.
Best for: First-time homeowners or small families looking for something compact and cozy. Dormer windows and steep roofs give these homes a classic charm that works well in family-friendly suburbs like McDonough.
Southern Vernacular
These types of houses use sustainable elements and southern design principles, and aren’t inspired by any of the traditional architecture. Designed for the climate (especially the hot south)—high ceilings, wrap-around porches, and wide eaves define this practical and breezy style.
Best for: Families or individuals who love outdoor living. With wraparound porches and high ceilings, these homes suit Georgia’s climate and are common in areas with wide lots, from Athens to suburban Atlanta.
Your One Step Closer To Your Dream Custom Home
Now that we’ve broken down the most popular home styles across Atlanta, you should have a lot more inspiration when it comes to designing your dream home! If you aren’t a designer or don’t classify yourself as an artsy person, that’s okay too. You don’t need full-fledged sketches of your build since you can work that out with your contractor.
And if you need a contractor who can turn your ideas to life…
You’ve come to the right place. At Midtown Builders Group, we build custom homes all around the Metro Atlanta area, and have built beautiful forever homes for the last 25 years. Our saying around here: “If You Can Dream It, We Can Build It.” Whether you want a mid-century modern or want to shake things up with a Victorian, you can sleep well knowing your next home is in good hands.
When you’re ready to put your ideas on paper, get in touch with us.
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