Buying a home, and having the freedom and resources to design it could be one of the biggest opportunities of one’s life. It is essential to build a home design that suits one’s personal style and personality best, but is also practical for daily life. Afterall, a home is supposed to be a safe space; the epitome of one’s personal comfort and peace. There are a wide variety of houses found in India, with its vast range of climate and terrain. Homes are built based on a person’s occupation, family structure, financial status, culture and evolving trends. Owing to this, here are the common types of house found around India to help you with designing your dream home.
Contemporary
Contemporary style homes are generally houses built to suit the trends of the present day and age. These homes are modern 20th century homes with an emphasis on sustainability. Contemporary home designs give importance to entertaining, and therefore almost always have an outdoor space, with a smooth flow design from indoors to outdoors. This home design focuses on the idea of minimalism, with neutral coloured muted interiors, with a few pops of colour here and there. The key features and advantages of contemporary homes would include open floor plans, natural, sustainable components, natural light and clean, minimal.
Goan-Indian Traditional Architecture
Traditional Goan Portuguese style homes are a sight for sore eyes. Dainty yet majestic, these homes are known for their bright colours that make them stand out from the rest of the homes. Ornamentation is of key importance to a Goan style home— stairs leading up to the front door for an extra dramatic effect, the sturdy roofs made with country style bricks. In terms of material, Goan houses are generally built with Laterite bricks and Mangalorian tiles. Often decorated with the most beautiful mosaic tiles, vintage lamps, porcelain artefacts, and antique furniture, it only gets better!
Colonial
Colonial style homes were introduced in the 1600s when Europeans settled in the East Coast. Their main feature that is consistent through all types of colonial homes is their rectangular structure. The exteriors are often symmetrical, with a central chimney found in the steep roof usually made of wood or bricks. There are usually two or more stories in these houses, with several rooms. Some characteristics of colonial homes are grand entrances, central stairways, basements and/or attics and sometimes even front porches.
Farmhouse
A common type of home among larger Indian joint families, farm houses are more like holiday homes. Usually set in the countryside or a rural area, these houses are characterised by higher ceilings, front porches, antique furniture and large chandeliers. Oftentimes, the home is connected to a farm, ranch, or pond – with the intention of animal rearing. Farmhouses are family homes for generations, and therefore are almost always rustic.
Mediterranean/Spanish
Mediterranean homes are the perfect blend of style mixed with centuries of history mixed with simple architectural home designs, all under one roof. Mediterranean homes usually take inspiration from the Italian Renaissance and the Spanish revival. With classic white exteriors, these homes usually are colourful on the inside, with painted walls and patterned tiles. A rectangular floor plan is often used because it is easily navigable and it flows easily through the house.
Cottage
The primary features of a cottage-style home include shingled, stucco walls, balconies, small porches, gable roofs, and bay windows. Generally, a cottage house is a one-story or 1 ½ story structure. Cottages are smaller homes, often more environment friendly, and practical. For people who want to live in homes that are cosy yet practical and elegant, cottages are ideal. These types of homes are also often seeked out in cities situated by the beach.
Minimalist
The statement ‘less is more’ is suited best in a minimalist type home. Minimalist architecture is about achieving better design through simplicity – a simplicity of form, space, materiality, detail, and colour. Minimalist design also shows restraint and a careful paring down and editing of spaces to get to a place of clarity. Minimalism likes to stick to the idea of rejecting any lavish and highly decorative pieces, and using only essential elements and simplicity of form.
Sustainable Homes
A sustainable eco-friendly house is a house which respects the environment, is made from non-toxic materials, and is energy-efficient both in its construction and use. An eco-friendly house solves the purpose of giving its occupants a practical home to live in, without depleting any resources for future generations. With organic gardens, sustainably sourced furniture, minimal kitchen waste, and solar panels – these are some of the key features of sustainable living.
Still looking for inspiration? Design your dream home with Tata Steel Aashiyana. Explore Tata Steel Aashiyana’s vast home design library with over 260 different designs. Their design library caters to people with any and every type of style. No matter what your taste is, you can customise your options by choosing through several different filters. Aashiyana by Tata Steel has a keen eye for detail and professionalism, and will definitely be of aid to you building the house of your dreams.
