Our team at Wausau Homes specializes in building all sorts of custom homes, from small starter homes to large luxury estates. No matter your budget or needs, we can help you design and build the perfect home for you and your family.
One of the first things you'll need to decide when planning your custom home is what style you're looking for. Do you prefer a more traditional home with classic features, or are you interested in something more modern? Maybe you have your heart set on a rustic cabin in the woods or a cozy cottage by the lake. Cape Cod, French Country Colonial, Tudor Craftsman Cottage, Mediterranean Ranch style, and Contemporary are all examples of popular American house styles. Does your architectural style lean toward a Gothic revival style or Greek revival style home, or are those terms completely new to you?
Don't worry if you're not sure what style you want just yet, or if you're looking for a blend of styles. Our experienced team can help guide you through the process and offer suggestions based on your specific needs and wants. While Wausau Homes spans nine states in the Midwest, we are proud to say that every home we build is distinctly different from the next. We've compiled some photos of popular house styles to give you a starting point in your search for the perfect home.
Which house style suits your family best?
Are you moving into your first home or starting a family? Maybe you are moving from your starter home and want that smarter home dialed in with all your tech needs. Perhaps you are an empty nester or looking for a retirement home, and you want all the features on your wish list without any hassle. No matter where you are in your life, we can find a floor plan and design customizations to suit your needs.
Whatever your style, we can help bring your vision to life. We've built everything from Victorian era mansions to ultra-modern homes and everything in between. Here are just a few of the different styles of homes we've built at Wausau Homes and what continue to come up as our favorite features.
Craftsman Style
The craftsman style home is one of the most popular styles we build at Wausau Homes. These homes are characterized by their simple yet elegant design. They often have low-pitched roofs, wide eaves, and large front porches.
One of the things our clients love most about craftsman style homes is the attention to detail. Everything from the handcrafted woodwork to the stained glass windows is designed to be beautiful and functional.
Another plus of craftsman style homes is that they're usually very energy-efficient. The thick walls and well-insulated attics help keep the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer. This can save you money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable to live in.
If you're looking for a home that's both beautiful and functional, a craftsman style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Ranch Style Houses
Of the many new and cutting-edge house styles, the ranch style house is a timeless classic that has withstood the test of time. Ranch style houses are usually one story, making them easy to maintain and energy-efficient.
One of the things our clients love most about the ranch style home design is the open floor plan. These homes are designed for easy living, with large rooms that flow together seamlessly. This can be great for entertaining or simply spending time with family.
What some are often surprised by when building ranch house styles is that, in many cases, it is cheaper to build a two-story home as opposed to a large one-story home. If you are building a large one-story home, you can be sure the footprint of the home will be larger, requiring more land, which can add to the cost.
But what many people love as a great feature of ranch style homes is that they can easily be adapted to any stage of life. If you're looking for a home that will work for you now and in the future, a ranch style house may be a perfect choice.
French Country Style
While we don't see many requests for British Colonial style or even Mediterranean style houses, we often hear from clients interested in building a French Country style home.
French Country style homes are inspired by the rustic country homes of France. They usually have a stone or stucco exterior with metal roofs. These homes often have Juliet balconies, arched windows, and detailed masonry.
One of the things our clients love most about French Country style homes is the feeling of being in the countryside while still being close to the city. These homes offer the best of both worlds – a peaceful and quiet setting with all the conveniences of modern living.
If you're looking for a home that feels like a vacation, a French Country style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Cape Cod Style
This house style is characterized by its steep roofs, large chimneys, and covered porches. Cape cod style homes usually have two stories, with the second story being much smaller than the first.
You'll find the cape cod house style more prominent in areas like New England, where the winters are colder and the snowfall is heavier. This is due to the fact that the cape cod style home was designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the Northeast.
One of the things people love most about cape cod style homes is their cozy feel. These homes are designed for comfort and relaxation, with plenty of space to enjoy time with family and friends.
If you're looking for a home that will make you feel right at home, this house style may be the perfect choice for you.
Prairie Style
We long for the days of wide open spaces and fresh air, and what better way to enjoy that than in a Prairie style home? The Prairie style movement of design started and was popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright after he published construction plans called "A House in a Prairie Town." This style of architecture, which is inspired by the Arts & Crafts era, employs modern common features such as wide overhangs, low or flat cantilevered roofs, large use of windows, and incorporated handmade craftsmanship.
The homes in the Midwest were designed to fit the long, low landscape. They were thought of as “married to the ground” because they looked like they belonged there. These homes are designed to take advantage of the natural landscape, with wide porches and balconies that offer stunning views.
What homeowners love most in Prairie style homes and the sense of connection to the outdoors. These homes are designed to bring the beauty of nature inside, with large windows that let in lots of light and provide stunning views. Some will even incorporate sliding glass doors that open up to the outdoors, making it easy to enjoy the fresh air.
If you're looking for a home that will make you feel closer to nature, a Prairie style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Modern House Styles
From the days of old to the modern day, there is a house style for everyone. Modern style homes exhibit many of the same characteristics as contemporary homes but with a more updated feel.
Modern style homes are characterized by their clean lines and simple, uncluttered layouts. These homes are designed for functionality and ease of living, with minimal decoration and a focus on form over function.
What our clients love most about modern style homes is the sense of simplicity and tranquility they offer. These homes are designed to be a haven from the chaotic world, with a clean, uncluttered, relaxing, and inviting look.
If you're looking for a stylish and functional home, a modern style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Chalet Style
If you couldn't get out of the country during the pandemic, you may have found yourself longing for a chalet style home.
Chalet style homes are inspired by the traditional Alpine houses of Switzerland. The architectural style of these homes is characterized by their steeply pitched roofs, large windows, and exposed beams.
What our clients love most about chalet style homes is the feeling of being in a cozy mountain cabin. These homes offer all the warmth and comfort of a traditional home, with the added bonus of stunning views.
If you're looking for a home that will make you feel like you're on vacation all year round, a chalet style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Rustic Cedar Style
If you have had enough of the city, you may be looking for a house style that invites you into the wilderness. Rustic cedar style homes are just the thing.
Rustic cedar style homes are characterized by their use of natural materials, like stone and wood. These homes often have a rough and unfinished look, with exposed beams and large windows that let in lots of light. Depending on your needs, this home style can range from a small footprint to a massive lodge.
A cabin is a getaway representing time spent with family or friends in the great outdoors. You may be inspired by the arts and crafts movement and just need a place to escape the hustle and bustle. A cedar cabin is perfect for either scenario.
Wasting time outside never felt so good.
What our clients love most about rustic cedar style homes is the feeling of being away from it all. These homes offer a sense of peace and tranquility that is hard to find in the city. If you're looking for a home that will help you relax and recharge, a rustic cedar style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Tudor Style Homes
The history of the Tudor style home is somewhat of a mystery. The first homes built in this style appeared in England during the 14th century, but it is unclear where the name comes from.
We know that Tudor style homes are characterized by their steeply pitched roofs, large windows, and exposed beams. Other key features include decorative half-timbering, tall chimneys, and leaded glass windows.
These homes often have a rough and unfinished look, with exposed beams and large windows that let in lots of light. Today you can find these homes all over the world.
What our clients love most about Tudor style houses is their sense of history and tradition. These homes offer a sense of warmth and comfort that is hard to find in more modern styles. If you're looking for a home with character and charm, a Tudor style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Colonial Style Homes
You may think that the words colonial style would never come up in a modern day conversation regarding architectural styles. When were colonial style houses built? This was a style that spanned several decades, starting during the 1600s and lasting until well into the 19th century. But, truth be told, many homes are being built today with definite colonial style influences.
The key features of these houses are their symmetrical shape, central front door, and multi-paned windows. Other features include a simple roofline and exterior details like shutters and columns. From the curb, you'll notice that these homes are well-proportioned and stately.
Colonial style houses were some of the first homes built in America, and today they are some of the most popular.
What homebuyers love most about these house styles is their sense of history and tradition. These homes offer a sense of warmth and comfort that is hard to find in more modern styles. If you're looking for a home with character and charm, a colonial style home may be the perfect choice for you.
Which house styles are your favorite?
What house style do you like best? Do you prefer rustic cedar, Tudor, or colonial styles? Each style has its unique charm and character that is hard to find in other types of homes. If you're looking for a home with history and tradition, one of these styles may be perfect for you.
Custom homes are a great way to get the perfect house for your needs. If you're looking for a specific style of home, working with a builder who can take you from idea conception to construction and all the way through completion is the best way to achieve your goals.
At Wausau Homes, we specialize in building custom homes that are designed to fit your unique needs and style preferences. Contact us today to learn more about our process and how we can help you build the perfect style home to ensure your dream becomes a reality.