Sunday, April 28, 2024

What Is A Cape Cod Style House? Cape Cod Architectural Style

house cape cod style

Originally, Cape Cod homes were often built to maximize available sunlight, with the largest and tallest windows facing south. This positioning helped minimize heating costs while taking advantage of natural light. You’ll typically see double-hung windows with shutters on the main floor, and dormers on the second to increase light and air circulation. Modern Cape Cod homes also feature beadboard or board-and-batten elements, along with functional built-ins to add storage. Because many Cape Cods are only 1,200-1,800 square feet, it’s essential to make good use of every square inch. These homes often include built-in bookshelves, china cabinets, beds, reading nooks, and decorative shelves, with beadboard paneling commonly found on kitchen cabinets and ceilings.

house cape cod style

Double-hung windows

They quickly became a staple starter home for middle class couples and families looking to get their foot in the real estate market door, thanks to their simple style (which translated directly into a cheaper cost). Nowadays, newer, bigger builds of this timeless, budget-friendly option are still popping up along the shores and in the suburbs, it's safe to say this style isn't going anywhere. If you're in the market for a Cape Cod home, a full Cape is the largest (and most functional) variation to serve as a family home. Remember, the goal is to create a space that evokes a sense of tranquility, where you and your guests can escape and enjoy the timeless beauty of the Cape Cod house style. The Cape Cod house style has a rich history that dates back to the early colonial era in America.

house cape cod style

What does a Cape Cod house look like?

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The Cape’s steeply pitched, side-gabled roof was designed to shed ice and snow. In the 19th century, dormer windows appeared on the second floor to add light and space. Historical Capes were clad in long-lasting cedar shingles, sometimes with clapboards on the facade. The rectangular interior could be divided or not, with a large central chimney linked to a fireplace in each room.

Cons of Cape Cod-style architecture

Remember, the essence of the Cape Cod house style is about embracing classic design, paying attention to detail, and fostering a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Remember that the landscaping should reflect your personal taste and style, while also considering the climate and geographical characteristics of your area. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a beautiful landscape that enhances the curb appeal of your Cape Cod house and showcases its timeless charm.

Landscaping and Curb Appeal for Cape Cod Houses

Though this historic style originated as far back as the late 17th century, it has experienced resurgences in popularity many times since then. While Cape Cods first started sprouting up in Massachusetts, they were common in most of New England by 1740. By the 1830s, they had spread from southern New York to the upper portion of the state, where their popularity continued west into Ohio and Michigan. Today, Cape Cods can be found in most of the continental U.S., as the modern full Cape style had a resurgence during the 20th century. “There can be a very thick layer of aesthetics laid over the function,” Seifter says.

These modest and practical homes have been around for more than 3 centuries without having lost their appeal. Share your thoughts about how you’ve overcome the drawbacks in the comments box below. Nowadays, original Capes like those have sometimes been added onto so often that they have a kind of “Russian doll” look, Seifter says. But these houses built by the early American settlers were not named after their locale, at least not initially. Early iterations were often just one- or two-room cottages with a fireplace in the middle—the room with the fireplace always doubled as the bedroom—but the style has continued to evolve in accordance with the times.

Decor and Furnishings in Cape Cod Houses

The earliest Cape Cod-style houses were built by Puritans in New England; the snug, one-story homes were designed to withstand the harsh environment. The half-cape style homes feature a corner front door with two multi-paned windows on the other side. The half-cape began as a starter home and over time, the settlers kept adding more rooms to it to accommodate their growing families.

Using natural wood roof shingles and siding on the facade can enhance the look while catching the eye. Also, using a lighter-hued covering can make it look more bigger and brighter. Here you’ll learn all about this style home, its defining characteristics, advantages and drawbacks as well as the most common types of Cape Cod style Houses. The names we attach to our residential architecture is telling of the times.

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Colonial Revival Cape Cod houses became especially popular during the 1930s and later. For a Cape Cod style home, feeling cozy is key — and when it comes to feeling comfortable in a home, one of the best places to start is the lighting. A Cape house may start to feel closed off with harsh lights or grandiose fixtures because of its smaller, boxed rooms and low ceilings, so lighting is key to complimenting the space. Given the fact that they're called Cape Cods, it's no secret that these homes have a breezy, beachy feel through and through.

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.

In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the history, characteristics, exterior and interior features, color schemes, and landscaping aspects of Cape Cod houses. We have discussed how to renovate and remodel these homes while preserving their unique charm. Additionally, we have provided tips on how to incorporate the Cape Cod house look into any home. The interior features of a Cape Cod house reflect a timeless and inviting aesthetic.

The interior of traditional Cape Cod houses are constructed from durable materials like cedar, oak, and pine. Original Cape Cod homes also had hardwood floors, which remain popular today. The style fell out of popularity temporarily but had a resurgence post World War ll, known as the Cape Cod Revival. These homes were built to help house families and veterans returning from war. A modestly scaled interior meant that original Cape Cod homeowners had to maximize whatever details they included in their homes.

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