Cities and suburbs across the United States are home to several different architectural house styles. Many old homes are still full of character, reflecting their original design. Not to be confused with the categories of homes—single-family, multi-family, condo, apartment, and co-op, etc. —we’re talking about a home’s architectural type based on its features like the trim, roofline, number of floors, building materials, and the windows’ and doors’ shape, size, and placement, as well as exterior features like porches.

Due to America’s worldly population,  it’s no wonder that our architecture varies so drastically depending on where you live. Ranch-style homes are popular in the midwest, while Colonial Revival styles of houses can be found along the East Coast, and Spanish Colonials reign in California. Because of the varying geographical influences on these design styles, it can be difficult to distinguish each type of home from the one next to it.

Regardless of where you live, it’s helpful to identify what style of home you love or hate since it can help you decide where to move and which homes to consider. To teach you how to spot your favorites, we’ve rounded up a list of 10 Architectural Home Styles To Know:

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There is nothing quite like the reward of Chicago in the summertime. After our brutal winter and wishy-washy spring, Chicagoans don’t take the summer warmth and sunshine for granted; naturally, we take advantage of every day it’s nice out. The best way to take advantage of “Summertime-Chi” is by spending the day on a patio, of course!

When the weather is pleasant, dining al-fresco is the way to go! Grab a seat on a sidewalk table that affords great people-watching, the sun on your back, and ice-cold drinks to beat the heat. While there are always new patio options popping up around the city, these 5 patios are some of our favorites and provide some of the best places to enjoy great food and drinks outside in the city!

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“Summertime-Chi” is popular for many reasons, but perhaps the most prominent being its sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. The 28-mile-long freshwater shoreline is east of the city and offers ample opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, hiking, and much more! There are even designated dog beaches if your furry friends want to have some fun in the sun! Long days in the sun also call for refreshing drinks and yummy food, and luckily you can stop at one of the many beachside bars and restaurants to refuel! 

Chicagoans only get four short sun-filled months a year to enjoy the city’s beaches thoroughly, so here are 10 Chicago Beaches Worth Checking Out This Summer:

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So far, in 2023, we have seen paint being used creatively throughout our living spaces to blend the beauty of nature with personal expression. The spring and summer months offer new bright, clean, and vibrant color palettes that can freshen up these spaces and make them more reflective of our environment outside, offering many biophilic benefits. Layering warm, soothing, and nourishing colors and textures around the home can help people feel calm, connected, and renewed within their space.

A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable and quickest ways to breathe this new life into your space instantly. It not only re-invigorates your senses and ensures your home feels up to date, but it covers up those inevitable blemishes and lends a crisp, refined finish. As you decide what color to dip that roller in for your home refresh, consider these 7 Emerging Home Color Trends:

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