Located on Eastern Long Island, the Hamptons are a popular summer vacation destination and an idyllic place to live. These communities are characterized by their long beaches and picturesque interior farmland, but they are also known for their iconic neighborhoods filled with gorgeous luxury homes built in unique architectural styles.
The Hamptons boast extravagant homes nestled in the peaceful countryside or along a never-ending beachfront. Like many other Hamptons communities, Bridgehampton single-family homes are highly sought-after for the area's rural atmosphere and above-average schools.
There are several prominent architectural styles that make Hamptons real estate stand out. If you hope to find your forever home in The Hamptons, here are the most popular home styles you can expect to see.
Colonial revival
Because Colonial Revival is the most popular architectural style in the country, it’s no surprise that this design is a favorite in the Hamptons. The name Colonial Revival refers to the late 19th century when Americans longed to recreate the homes built by the country’s original settlers. This style peaked in the 1950s and features design elements like front facade symmetry, multi-paned windows, and brick or shingle siding. Because this style isn't rigid, there is room for change if homeowners want to remodel their homes.
You may recognize this classic style immediately for its detailed and symmetrical front entrances with decorative doors. Like Neoclassical Revival architecture, another style on this list, Colonial Revival will sometimes feature Romanesque columns along with covered porches.
Shingle style
Photo courtesy of Homes of the Rich
One design that defines the Hamptons is the unique Shingle architecture style. In the late 1800s, builders began shifting away from ornate Victorian homes. The result was a combination of design elements from several different architectural styles. Along with extensive groupings of windows, Shingle-style homes include expansive porches, steep roofs, asymmetrical facades, and a shingled exterior. These components made Shingle-style homes expensive to build, which meant they signaled wealth and exclusivity in several Eastern coastal towns.
You will find Shingle-style homes throughout East Hampton. Although builders constructed this type of home for upper-class families on the east coast, Shingle-style homes have a sense of informality, making them perfectly suited to cozy escapes for those looking to find a piece of Bridgehampton real estate.
Modern and contemporary
If you walk along one of The Hamptons' many beaches, you will likely see some modern and contemporary homes. Contemporary architecture refers to designs that are currently being built and don't adhere to a specific style. While The Hamptons may be known for the more classic styles on this list, there are plenty of residential architects in the Hamptons ready to help anyone complete their own builds in a contemporary style.
Because modern architecture focuses on breaking away from more classic designs, these houses use more contemporary materials like concrete and steel and create a new spin on traditional materials. Unlike Colonial Revival homes, modern architecture is typically asymmetrical, with sharp angles and lines that make a more geometric aesthetic. One of the benefits of a modern design is the generous amount of natural light that fills the homes through expansive windows.
Farmhouse
Modern Farmhouse has become a prominent architectural and interior style choice in recent years. The idea of taking someone classic and giving it new life is common in The Hamptons. Farmhouse-style homes are generally repurposed barns or new homes meant to resemble barns. You can identify Farmhouse-style homes by their long, rectangular bases, stone foundations, and high-pitched roofs. Farmhouse homes achieve a rustic aesthetic but with a fashionable spin. Builders often construct these structures with natural materials, like wooden beams, and feature elements like fireplaces, large kitchens, and expansive front rooms for entertaining.
While looking for a home in the Hamptons, like Bridgehampton single-family homes for sale, Farmhouse is an ideal style for those who value function above all else. Because parts of The Hamptons are known for farmland and for being a great place to raise children, Hampton families will feel right at home in Farmhouse style architecture houses.
Neoclassical Revival
Neoclassical Revival houses, like Colonial revival, are also known for their symmetry. These homes have porches held up by classic columns that reach the top of the building, giving them an opulent look and feel. Neoclassical Revival refers to a period when Greek and classical Roman architecture made a comeback. This style started in the 1750s and continued to thrive in Europe and the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a prominent architectural style around the American Revolution, which explains why many well-known and vital government buildings, like The White House, were built in this style.
This architecture style tends to have a more lavish aesthetic and strays from the cozier feel of other types of homes in the Hamptons. While Neoclassical Revival is not the most common type of architecture for single-family homes, residents of The Hamptons can admire this style in some of its public buildings and museums.
Looking for Bridgehampton or Sag Harbor houses for sale?
Whether you are interested in classic architecture styles or are ready to find something more contemporary, you can find your dream home in The Hamptons. If you are ready to start looking for your perfect home in the Hamptons, contact Crosby Renwick to begin your search today!