Small Cape Style House: The Perfect Cozy Home for Any Family!

Cape Cod style homes are a classic American architectural design. These houses originated in the 1600s, in the eastern coast of the United States, particularly in Massachusetts. This style of home is characterized by its symmetrical design, steep roof with shingles, central chimneys, and dormer windows. Many people nowadays prefer a small cape cod style house because of its cozy and compact design.

Design Features of a Small Cape Style House

A small cape style house has a compact and practical design. The interior floor plan typically includes a living room, a kitchen, a dining area, and two or three bedrooms. The house has a steep gabled roof, which provides extra storage space in the attic. Most small cape style houses have dormer windows, which can increase natural light and give the room more space. The exterior design often has a Cape Cod style homes exterior, which can have accents like white columns or black shutters.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Cape Style House

There are both advantages and disadvantages of a small cape style house. Some people find a cape style house to be quite cozy with its compact floor plan. It is also a classic design that has remained popular for centuries. However, one disadvantage is that the steep roof can sometimes make the ceiling height lower in some areas, such as the upstairs bedrooms. Additionally, the living room may be smaller than what some people desire, depending on the size of the house.

How to Decorate a Small Cape Style House

When decorating a small cape style house, you want to keep the design comfortable and cozy. One way to achieve this is to keep the color palette muted and natural. Neutral colors like beige, white, and gray can provide a calming and cozy atmosphere. To add textures and depth to the design, consider adding wooden accents or natural fibers like wool or knit. Furthermore, using rugs in high traffic areas can make the rooms feel bigger.

Maintaining a Small Cape Style House

Like any home, a small cape style house requires maintenance to keep it in good shape. To prevent damages to the roof, it is necessary to remove snow, ice, or other debris that may cause damage. Also, by trimming trees overhanging the roof, you can prevent falling branches from damaging the house. Moreover, in areas with severe weather, it is recommended to install a surge protector to prevent electrical damages.

Cost Considerations for Building or Buying a Small Cape Style House

The cost of building or buying a small cape style house depends mainly on the location, size, and quality of materials used. In general, Cape Cod style homes interior design ideas are more expensive than modern homes with similar floor plans. The cost to build a small cape style house ranges from $200,000 to $500,000. However, you can still get the Cape Cod style feeling by purchasing a ranch style house and remodeling it to resemble the design. For example, adding dormer windows or replacing the roof with shingles can give the house a Cape Cod feel.

FAQs

Q. Are all cape cod houses the same?

A. No, although Cape Cod houses share common design features, there are different styles of Cape Cod homes, including half cape, three-quarter cape, and drive-by cape.

Q. How do I renovate a cape cod style house?

A. Renovations depend on what you want to update. For instance, adding dormer windows, a skylight, or improving the color palette can enhance the house’s appearance.

Q. What is a ranch style house?

A. Ranch style houses have a one-story floor plan that is more open and modern than small cape style houses. Ranch style houses are known for their flat roofs and open floor plans.

In summary, a small cape style house has a cozy and practical design that has remained popular for centuries. This house style is characterized by its steep gabled roof, dormer windows, and symmetrical design. It provides a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, although the living room may be smaller than expected. People can maintain it by building with quality materials and keeping up with maintenance. If you are looking to build or buy a house, a small cape style house might be worth considering.