What Are the Typical Sizes of Spanish-Style Homes?
The fascination with Spanish-style homes people have is totally justified by the enchanting design elements of Spanish architecture. The architecture has been around for ages, and its elegance is still unchanged.
The design elements do not just make the home visually appealing, but the utilitarian elements are designed and incorporated to keep the temperature lower in hot weather.
With the right color palette and perfect design elements, you can create a home that has warm and inviting aesthetics. With this, let us explore more about Spanish-style homes in this blog!
Spanish Architecture
The intricate details, admiring structures, and unique designs of Spanish-style homes have a great influence on the recognition of Spanish architecture globally. The homes are distinctive from other home designs because of their minimal embellishments, stucco, stone exteriors, and structural uniformity. Let us begin by understanding the history of Spanish-style homes!
Typical Sizes of Spanish-Style Homes
Spanish-style homes have a great variation when it comes to their general size. From small cottages to large estates, the size can range from anywhere in between. If you are seeking elaborate features, large estates with space will allow you to integrate a lot more details from Spanish architecture.
Elaborate courtyards, a grand living space, or multiple bedrooms, you can do everything with Spanish style integrating luxury. Medium-sized houses and small cottages can also include details and features of Spanish-style architectural details.
Key Design Elements of Spanish Style Homes
- The exterior of the walls is mostly painted in white shades. This not only keeps the architecture attractive but also reduces the price significantly. The credit for the dropped prices is well-deserved by stucco.
- Another characteristic feature of Spanish-style homes is flat roofs with iconic red tiles made of clay. The clay tiles in earlier times were hand-made, where the curvature was built using drying them over cylindrical objects like barrels.
- Central courtyards are a typical architectural detail added in Spanish-style homes. Additionally, the windows are designed carefully to help the residents manage the extremely hot summers. The windows are small and placed in a way that less light can enter the home. For the same reason, windows are inbuilt with wooden shutters.
- Spanish-style homes have simple embellishments, using limited ornaments. The simple embellishments are characteristic of Spanish-style homes, giving them a subtle unique appeal. With the least ornaments, the homes are designed in a way that features curves and arches. When ornamentation is used, it is mostly in the close proximity of these curves and the small windows.
- If you are planning to decorate your house extensively in Spanish style, add a few more features that are common with the designs. Exterior decor for stairs, railings, and window coverings can be done with ironwork, which is pretty much common in Spanish-designed homes. Add hints of Monterey style with a second story used as a functional outdoor space. Inbuilt courtyards are another way to mimic Spanish architecture, but it is sometimes a bit costly.
How to Achieve Spanish Design in Your Home
Spanish homes nowadays use multiple styles, not just depending on the defined elements. If you want to integrate the elements from Spanish-style homes, the first decision you will have to make is how many features you want in your home.
You can either choose the whole Spanish architecture theme for your home or just stick with a few elements. Here are some of the ways to incorporate Spanish architectural elements.
1. Roof with Tiles
The tiled roofs are one of the most defining features of Spanish architecture. Clay-made tiles are so popular because the materials are made locally available from the deserts.
2. The Smooth Stucco Walls
The stucco walls on both the interior and exterior of the homes are the easiest way to incorporate the characteristics of Spanish home design. The warm tone finish of the stucco-painted white walls is ideal for homes in hot places. The functional aspect of using stucco is that it reflects the sunlight instead of retaining its warmth.
3. Include Wrought Iron for Railings & Stairs
If you have wooden banisters, replace them with iron railings. It marks a dominant presence in most of the Spanish-style homes. From your exterior spaces like courtyard, gate, & stairs to interiors including windows, install patterns with wrought iron.
4. Focus on Ceilings
When building the ceiling, standard height or high ceilings are both suitable for the design. Don’t overdo embellishments on the ceilings, as the Spanish-style homes feature ceilings with simplicity. Try to include wooden exposed beams for a rustic appearance. To complement the wooden beams, ceiling, and stucco walls, add minimal details with wooden furniture.
These are some of the defining features of Spanish homes. But there is so much you can do by picking the specific elements from the Spanish-style homes.
Tips to Help You Derive Details from Spanish Architecture
- Choose an earthy color palette that adds a welcoming charm to the home. The color palette should reminisce about the natural elements. Red-orange hues, yellow-golden shades, and off-whites make a great choice.
- Choose curtains that are heavy and in dark colors. The role of heavy and dark-colored curtains is to block both heat in summer and cold winds during the winter. Not only are the curtains functional, but they also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home.
- Courtyard and patio arrangements are crucial if you are planning for a Spanish-themed home. Courtyards and patios have been traditionally incorporated into Spanish architecture to elevate the efficient use of space.
Conclusion
Defining a style for your home is always exciting. If your pick for your home is Spanish home design, we know you have found the perfect balance between elegance and sophistication.
If you seek architecture in a Spanish design, ensure you include the main features of Spanish-style homes. Start by building one or two stories and integrating arches and curves in the architecture.
Let us know in the comment which architectural element from Spanish-style homes you will integrate to enhance the elegance of your home!
