Southern house styles: Key design elements

by Ann Hayward 02/05/2024

Rich with historical inspiration, Southern house styles are still popular in the world of modern architecture. What’s known as Southern architecture is largely inspired by a specific time period, and often refers to structures originally built before the American Civil War. However, you can still find the style’s influence in contemporary architecture across the country.

But what exactly defines a Southern house plan? Here are the key characteristics to know:

Symmetrical exterior design

Most Southern style house plans feature a square-shaped, symmetrical facade. The front door is always centered and often flanked by tall, narrow windows. French doors are another common exterior feature, always symmetrically oriented to allow access to outside living spaces.

Raised basements

In the American south, the frequency of heavy rain, flooding and hurricanes makes raised basements a necessity as well as a style choice for a Southern style house. Both in modern and traditional Southern house plans, raised basements protect the main living areas from water damage and also provide extra storage space.

Wrap-around porches

Enormous wrap-around porches are one of the most recognizable features of Southern architecture. These porches provide a plethora of comfortable places to sit while protected from the elements. Rain or shine, these porches are an essential element to Southern house plans.

Vaulted ceilings

Tall ceilings are another example of an architectural feature of Southern house plans that is both functional and stylish. Vaulted ceilings make a Southern home seem grand and palatial, but also help keep a comfortable temperature and humidity inside the home by allowing the warm air to rise above the main floor.

These are only a few recognizable features of Southern house plans. Other elements like decorative columns, exterior staircases and expansive gardens are also present in this architectural style. No matter where you are, you can find inspiration from Southern houses and their profound effect on contemporary architecture.

About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]