The American Craftsman Style homes were designed during the Arts and crafts era that begin in the late 19th century and ended around 1930. An architectural firm named Greene and Greene based out of Southern California was very influential on the different Craftsman style home designs that we see today. Craftsman style homes were created in contrast to Victorian style homes and it has been stated that Victorian style homes were too showy and decorated. The Craftsman Style Home was less decorated and more traditional. Even today Craftsman Style homes are very popular throughout the state of California and other regions of the west coast.
In our modern times many people have slightly altered these homes with Craftsman Home Plans adding slight differences to set their homes apart from others in the area but keeping the original style and charm. These Craftsman Home Plans also maintain original materials used to really keep the true uniqueness of this era. Some Craftsman Home Plans have an addition with a dormered second story while others keep the original shape but include an attached 2 car garage. Others Craftsman Home Plans have full additions that may include a large great room or an expanded kitchen.
Some of the original features that you will notice and that will help your recognize a craftsman style home are; Craftsman Style homes are designed with low pitched roof lines and usually don’t have full second story additions. These homes also have very deep overhanging eaves which have exposed rafters and decorative brackets. Many of these homes also feature hand crafted stone and wood work and an overall mix of materials in the design plan.
When your choosing a place to build your home make sure that you’re in a neighborhood that your happy with an have a good lot that can accommodate the build. It’s not preferred to be on a busy road or within view of other externalities that would bring down your property value. The preferred spot to build a new home is within a residential neighborhood mid-block or in a culdesac. Finding vacant land is hard in many areas and you may need to reconstruct your Craftsman from the foundation of an older structure or completely demo a pre-existing home.
Craftsman Home Plans don’t have to be your traditional bungalow style because many of the Craftsman Home Plans have been expanded into very large houses. Extras on a Craftsman Home Plans would include driveways, walkways, and patios or even in ground swimming pools. Don’t forget when your planning your build that importance of the landscaping and how the home will be placed on the lot. When you build your own home from plans you have to realize ho important your curb appeal will be and don’t just focus on the inside of the home.
A Craftsman Style house is a great choice when you’re looking for Craftsman Home Plans to build that dream home for yourself and your family. These houses are known for being architecturally sound with a flowing functional floor plan. These types of homes are usually the ones you envision when you’re starting out and you get that relaxing feeling of sitting on your porch swing drinking lemonade while watching your children play in the yard.

