Uncover 93+ Charming 1940 House Design Voted By The Construction Association

The Cape Cod-style house, a staple of American residential architecture, is an iconic design from 1940s America, characterized by its steep roof and symmetrical, box-shaped design. This versatile house design has a pitched roof and often comes with two-over-two windows, a centered front door surrounded by sidelight windows, and a single window dormer on either side. The exterior of the Cape Cod-style house is typically clad in wood shingles, leaving the dwelling with a rustic and inviting image.

Inside the Cape Cod-style house, the bungalow interior creates a cozy and comfortable environment. A single-level floor plan with minimal hallways and traditional doorways allows strategic and efficient use of space. The open-plan common rooms create the main focus of the dwelling with a fireplace being the center of activity. In more secluded areas, bedrooms can be used for privacy and study. The spare, yet practical, design of the Cape Cod-style house ensures that all needs are met while still maintaining a calming atmosphere.

The Colonial Revival house design was one of the most popular house styles in the 1940s, taking design cues from colonial homes from the 18th century. This house style offers a classic look that has remained popular over the decades with its stately façade and symmetrical proportions. The house design usually features two stories, with a box shape, a tall pitched roof, and an entry porch with tall columns.

Inside the Colonial Revival house design, the interior is typically divided into formal and informal living spaces. The formal areas, such as the living and dining rooms, are generally traditional in style and may feature detailed millwork, a fireplace, and other period-style appointments. The informal areas, such as the kitchen and family rooms, feature a more casual design, with furniture and accessories reflecting current trends. The Colonial Revival house design also often includes classical elements such as a grand staircase, paneled walls, wood floors, and doorways with intricate door frames.

The Dutch Colonial house style was also popular in the 1940s, particularly in the northeastern US. It’s characterized by its steeply pitched roof, gables at each end and on either side, and large overhanging eaves. Other design features of the Dutch Colonial house include twin front windows with shutters, two stories, a symmetrical façade, and a large porch or entryway. This house style usually employs wood siding with occasional brick or stone veneer.

The interior of the Dutch Colonial house is typically laid out into a center-hall plan, with a living room on one side and a dining room or study on the other. Other common features of the interior include tall ceilings, beamed wood floors, fireplaces, Dutch doors, and built-in cabinets and benches. The Dutch Colonial house emphasizes comfort and practical living, making it a perfect fit for the 1940s utilitarian spirit.

The large farmhouse house design was a classic of 1940s American architecture, characterized by its spacious and practical floorplan. A large farmhouse generally includes two stories and a wide front porch with a gabled roof. The exterior is usually clapboard siding, which delivers a classic countryside charm. The house typically also includes simple ornamentation such as a Palladian window, a door casing, and a cornice.

Inside the large farmhouse house, the interior usually consists of a large kitchen, a dining area, and a living room. There are often several bedrooms, with smaller rooms such as bathrooms, closets, and a mudroom completing the house's practical interior. This house style is often furnished with traditional-style furniture with a touch of rustic elements, with fabrics stamped in gingham, plaid, or floral patterns. Together, all of these design elements create a comfortable, homey, and inviting atmosphere.

The Ranch-style house of 1940s America features a low-slung, L-shaped floor plan clad in brick or stucco walls. This house style combines modern and traditional design, with an open-plan interior and sprawling exterior. The house typically features a long, low roof, symmetrical windows, and a large deck or patio on one side. The Ranch-style house is usually single-story, but may occasionally have a lower-level, basement apartment as well.

On the inside of the Ranch-style house, the decor was characterized by a mix of traditional furnishings and modern innovations. Furniture pieces were comfortable and utilitarian, with fireplaces, exposed beams, and wood paneling adding a touch of warmth and a nod to the house's traditional roots. The living room may also have large windows as a way to open up the interior to the outdoors and take in the views.

The Spanish Revival house style was introduced to American home design in the 1940s, offering a mix of traditional design elements wrapped up in an edgy Mediterranean aesthetic. These houses typically have a stucco, brick, or adobe exterior with a low-pitched, tiled roof and detailing found on traditional haciendas. Doorways often include archways with supporting columns, while terracotta pots add a Spanish-style touch to the front entrance.

The interior of the Spanish Revival house style is characterized by simple and efficient floor plans and rich, earthy textures. Many Spanish Revival homes feature large, open living areas and multiple bedrooms, and fireplaces are also common. Color plays a large role in the style, with bright pigmentations and bold contrast of textures creating the vibrant atmosphere characteristic of Spanish Revival homes.

The Tudor Revival house, a beloved house style of 1940s America, is based on the architecture of 16th century England and is characterized by its steeply gabled roof, multiple chimneys, half-timbered façades, and large, divided-light windows. Tudor Revival house often also feature tall windows with diamond-shaped leaded glass insets and window framing based on the decorative Tudor arch.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the iconic English cottage, inspired the Tudor Revival look. Although smaller than other houses of the era, the tight, efficient layout makes the most of the interior spaces. Inside the Tudor Revival house, traditional colors such as creamy whites, greys, and darker hues create a cozy, inviting environment while the leaded glass windows lend an air of sophistication.

The Neoclassical house design of 1940s America featured symmetrical and stately façade, brick walls, and large columns out front. This house style is inspired by the classic architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, with the columns giving the house an impressive look. Other common features of a Neoclassical house include pilasters, cornices, and pediments. The exterior is usually brick or stone with a traditional front door.

The interior of the Neoclassical house design combines classic and modern designs. The main floor is typically an open plan full of light and airy spaces. Many Neoclassical homes feature traditional furnishings including claw-foot tubs and large fireplaces.The tall windows and high ceilings bring in a sense of grandeur to the interior while a neutral color palette keeps the atmosphere calm and inviting.

The Craftsman Bungalow house style of 1940s America is characterized by its low pitch roof, front porch, and open floor plan. This type of house design often features one-and-a-half stories with an uncluttered façade and extensive use of wood and stone materials. Craftsman Bungalow houses typically include dormer windows, overhanging brackets, and gabled or sloped rooflines.

On the inside of the Craftsman Bungalow house, the interior is often open-plan, with the living room or great room located at the center. Other features to look for in a Craftsman Bungalow house include built-in cabinets, built-in bookcases, and hardwood floors. The interior can be dressed up with furniture of the same era to give the house an authentic Craftsman Bungalow vibe, or mixed and matched with modern and contemporary pieces to create a more eclectic look.

The International Style of 1940s American architecture is characterized by its simple, unadorned rectilinear forms, flat roofs, and glass walls. This house style is closely related to the Bauhaus movement and follows the "form follows function" design principle. The typical features of an International Style house include large, double-hung windows, a balanced and symmetrical façade, metal frames, and a solid entrance door.

Inside the International Style house, the interior is usually designed to be open-plan and features spacious, light-filled rooms, often with a floating staircase connecting the floors. There is a focus on multipurpose zones, with ample storage spaces and built-in fixtures. Due to the flat roofs, it is not unusual to find partially above-ground living areas, such as sunrooms or outdoor terraces, to take in the views as well.

The Mediterranean Revival house style of 1940s America is inspired by Spanish and Moorish architecture and characterized by its red tile roofs, clay tile floors, stucco walls, and arched windows and doorways. This house style is typically two stories with a centered entrance and a portico supported by a series of columns. Other features of the Mediterranean Revival house style include tall, arched windows, balconies, and an interior courtyard.

Inside the Mediterranean Revival house, the interior is commonly laid out with a central hall leading to different wings of the house. This style is full of beautiful details, from detailed ceilings, ornamental iron work, and decorative tiles to elaborate staircases. The use of color is also common, from bright hues mixing with golden ones to create a luxurious atmosphere.