The term ‘colonial homes’ describes a number of well-known architectural styles. Begun in the colonies and later adapted and combined with popular European trends, both the Colonial and Colonial Revival homes are a uniquely American architectural experience that are at once stately and modest.

Life in the colonies was based on necessity and so it naturally follows that colonial architecture provides a minimalist shelter to its occupants both solid and steadfast in style. Low on decoration and trim, the rectangular Colonial style is often found in the northeastern United States. Big on symmetry, a defining characteristic is the windows which are most often double hung with a number of small square panes. Another is the set of stately columns that do double duty providing structural supports and an air of stately grace.

Some popular colonial home styles include:

• Cape Cod Colonial
• Garrison Colonial
• New England
• Southern Colonial
• Saltbox Colonial
• Georgian Colonial
• French Colonial
• Spanish Colonial
• Dutch Colonial
• Federal

Characteristics of Colonial Revival Homes
After its inception, colonial homes gave way to Colonial Revival homes in a resurgence in popularity where symmetry and minimalism were appreciated. Popular across the Midwestern United States, Colonial Revival homes enjoy the same boxy style and stately columns but enjoy a dash of color in the shutters and a few more decorative details:

• Central hallways
• White clapboard siding
• Black or green shutters
• Detailed cornices

Colonial Columns
One thing that all versions of the original Colonial style and the newer Colonial Revival or Neo-Colonial homes have in common are their stately columns. Providing both structural support and a modest grandeur to the home, columns also allow homeowners to express their personality and the personality of the landscape and the estate. Details such as shape of the column and the choice of column base or bottom and column capital or top all provide outlets for creativity and style.

Colonial Column Styles
Like colonial life, colonial architecture was simple and efficient. Time and materials were never wasted on luxury but space was a commodity to be had in plenty. Therefore it is not uncommon to see large front porches and wraparound porches with a number of columns on colonial homes. Simple round columns with square bases and matching capitals are the common among colonials with the occasional scroll or leaf and acanthus decoration on the Neo-Colonial Revival homes.

Colonial Column Materials
Originally, colonists made use of natural, local materials for their homes and created columns out of wood, stone or marble. Today, colonial style home owners can have the look and feel of wood without the maintenance through materials like fiberglass, vinyl and composite materials. These materials allow for the same feel of the more expensive natural choices without concern for damage due to weather, insects and other hazards of time and the outdoors.

Colonial Column Colors
As noted earlier, the original colonists spared no time or effort on garish colors but as our country has grown so too has its interest in color and sparkle. Today, even on homes that mimic the early colonials, bright shutters or clapboard siding can be seen on a number of houses. Some even choose to paint their columns in eye-catching contrast to the rest of the house or to match the shutters or fence posts. But of course, simple beiges and off-whites can serve to balance out the gracious symmetry of a colonial home and add to the estate-like feel of the architectural design as a whole.