Life and Style

Top Styles of New Build Homes

January 21, 2026

When you picture your dream home, what do you see? Is it a picture-perfect single-family home with a white picket fence and a charming front porch? Or maybe it’s a vibrant urban retreat just steps away from the best shopping, dining, and entertainment, and right in the heart of the city’s energy.

Exterior Allen at Easton Park in Austin TX

The style of a home can be just as important as the floor plan. Whether you’re dreaming of more space for your family or craving a low-maintenance home close to the action, there’s a new build style that fits the way you live.

From spacious single-family homes with private backyards to modern condos designed for convenience, today’s homes offer something for every lifestyle. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular styles of new build homes, and what buyers love about each one.

Contemporary Single-Family Homes: Modern Design, Everyday Function

Exterior Patina Residence 1 at Napa RiverSound in Napa CA

Residence 1 Floor Plan, Patina Neighborhood, RiverSound Community, Napa, California

Contemporary single-family homes combine sleek, modern design with the comfort and practicality needed for everyday living. They’re built to reflect how people want to live today: open, connected, and flexible. These homes prioritize clean architectural lines, an abundance of natural light, and an efficient use of space, resulting in rooms that are beautiful and functional.

Design Features

  • Open floor plans that encourage flow and connection between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces
  • Large windows and sliding doors that bring in plenty of natural light and create seamless indoor-outdoor connections
  • Sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, such as smart thermostats, tankless water heaters, and solar-ready roofs
  • Minimalist exteriors with modern finishes like stucco, metal, and natural wood
  • Multi-use spaces such as lofts, home offices, or guest suites that can adapt to a family’s changing needs

Lifestyle Fit

These homes are designed for anyone seeking a space that feels open, functional, and easy to maintain. They support the key features of today’s lifestyles, such as remote work, entertaining at home, and blending your indoor and outdoor living spaces, while still offering the privacy of a single-family home.

Why Buyers Love Them

Contemporary single-family homes strike that perfect balance between style and function. Homeowners enjoy forward-thinking design, sustainable features that lower utility costs, and a floor plan perfectly suited for daily life. These homes are stylish, comfortable, and future-focused, making them ideal for those who want a house that looks as good as it lives.

Urban Townhomes: Connected, Contemporary Living

Rooftop Patio Rouge Crown Park Calgary Alberta

Rouge with Rooftop Floor Plan, Townhomes Collection, Crown Park Community, Calgary, Alberta

Urban townhomes bring together modern design and the energy of city living. You’ll find these homes in vibrant neighborhoods close to restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. They offer the perfect mix of style, function, and convenience for those who love being close to it all. With their thoughtful layouts and sleek finishes, every square foot is designed to work harder—and look good doing it.

Design Features

  • Open-concept layouts that highlight and maximize the vertical space
  • Sleek, modern finishes and high-end kitchens ideal for entertaining
  • Private outdoor retreats, such as balconies, patios, or rooftop decks, for entertaining or unwinding after a busy day
  • Integrated garages that add convenience without compromising style
  • Flexible rooms like home offices, guest suites, or creative spaces

Lifestyle Fit

Designed for those who thrive on city energy and love being close to it all, urban townhomes blend contemporary design with low-maintenance living. They’re a great fit for professionals, young families, and anyone who thrives in a connected, walkable community.

Why Buyers Love Them

Urban townhomes give you city living without compromise. Sleek design, flexible layouts, and private outdoor spaces set in prime locations make for a stylish lifestyle in a home that’s easy to maintain.

Suburban Townhomes: Comfort Meets Community

Exterior of Bloom at Edenglen in Ontario CA

Bloom Collection, Edenglen Community, Ontario, California

Suburban townhomes blend the space and comfort of a single-family home with the ease of townhome living. Located in family-friendly neighborhoods, these homes offer more room to grow while fostering a strong sense of community.

Design Features

  • Open-concept main floors that make the most of every square foot
  • Modern kitchens with plenty of storage and room for gathering
  • Private outdoor areas, such as patios or balconies, for relaxing or entertaining
  • Shared green spaces, like parks or playgrounds, designed to bring neighbors together
  • Attached garages and smart home features that add convenience and security

Lifestyle Fit

Suburban townhomes are a popular choice for growing families, young professionals, or right-sizers who want more space without the upkeep of a large yard. These homes offer a comfortable balance between privacy and community, giving you plenty of room for personal space and opportunity for neighborhood connection.

Why Buyers Love Them

Buyers love suburban townhomes for the space and comfort of a single-family home with less upkeep. Open layouts, modern finishes, and private outdoor spaces give families room to grow, while shared green spaces and community-oriented neighborhoods foster connection and a sense of belonging.

Boutique Condos: Elevated, Effortless Living

Lobby Station No 3 in Whitby Ontario

Station No. 3 Community, Whitby, Ontario

Boutique condos offer a refined approach to homeownership: sophisticated, convenient, and just the right size. They’re intimate and exclusive, filled with thoughtful details and stylish finishes. It’s elegant but comfortable living designed for those who value quality and a more personalized atmosphere.

Design Features

  • Architecturally distinctive buildings with a modern, design-forward aesthetic
  • Smart, open-concept layouts that maximize natural light and space
  • Upscale amenities like rooftop lounges, fitness centers, libraries, or shared courtyards
  • High-end finishes that add polish and elevate daily life

Lifestyle Fit

Boutique condos are perfect for professionals, frequent travelers, or downsizers who want a low-maintenance lifestyle without sacrificing style or comfort. These homes offer simplicity and sophistication in smaller, more personal communities.

Why Buyers Love Them

Boutique condos give homeowners the best of it all: the independence of homeownership and the simplicity of modern condo living. Thoughtful design, low-maintenance convenience, and prime locations create a lifestyle that’s polished, practical, and perfectly sized.

Craftsman & Modern Farmhouse: Timeless Charm with a Modern Twist

Exterior Rutgers at Elyson in Katy TX

Rutgers Floor Plan, 40' Traditional Homes Collection, Elyson Community, Katy, Texas

Blending classic character with fresh, contemporary appeal, Craftsman and modern farmhouse homes bring warmth and personality to today’s neighborhoods. These styles celebrate craftsmanship, comfort, and connection by creating spaces that feel as inviting as they look.

Design Features

  • Distinctive rooflines and detailed trim that showcase character and highlight craftsmanship
  • Welcoming front porches that create instant curb appeal
  • Open, light-filled interiors that feel airy and inviting
  • Natural materials and textures that add warmth and depth
  • Statement lighting and modern finishes that bring a contemporary edge

Lifestyle Fit

These homes are suitable for families or anyone who values warmth and character in their home. Thoughtful layouts balance cozy gathering spaces with functional design, making them ideal for family dinners, weekend entertaining with friends, or quiet moments on the front porch.

Why Buyers Love Them

Craftsman and modern farmhouse homes have a warmth that never goes out of style. Timeless curb appeal, thoughtful details, and open, light-filled interiors create a home that feels grounded, comfortable, and full of personality. It’s the perfect balance between traditional charm and modern living.

Duplex Homes: Smart Design, Shared Comfort

Exterior of Duplex Collection at LIvingston in Calgary AB

Duplex Collection, Livingston Community, Calgary, Alberta

Duplex homes offer the best of both worlds: the privacy and comfort of a single-family home with a smaller footprint and efficient design. They’re ideal for buyers who want modern, functional living without the upkeep of a large lot.

Design Features

  • Efficient layouts that maximize space without compromising comfort
  • Open-concept living areas and modern kitchens
  • Private entrances and outdoor spaces for each unit
  • Thoughtful finishes and energy-efficient systems that reduce costs
  • Flexible rooms that adapt to your lifestyle needs

Lifestyle Fit

Duplex homes suit buyers who want smart, modern living in a compact, well-designed space. Each unit feels private and independent, offering all the comforts of a single-family home in a low-maintenance package.

Why Buyers Love Them

Buyers love duplex homes for their practical design and modern amenities. They combine privacy, flexibility, and efficiency—delivering a comfortable home that’s easy to maintain and designed for everyday life.

Exterior street scene at Union Park by Brookfield Residential in Austin TX

Urban Homes Collection, Easton Park Community, Austin, Texas

Find Your Home Style

At Brookfield Residential, we design homes and communities that reflect how people live, work, and connect today. Whether you’re drawn to an urban retreat, a suburban sanctuary, or something in between, you’ll find innovative design, timeless style, and lasting quality in every detail.

Explore our communities to find the home—and style—that feels like you.

Ready to take the next step in your home buying journey?

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