Builder Survey Reveals Top Architectural Styles
The 2025 Annual Builder Practices Survey (ABPS) from Home Innovation Research Labs revealed an accelerated turn toward architectural modernization in certain markets, though styles remain far from uniform nationwide. Regional history, culture and neighborhood context continue to shape exterior design decisions, even as national rankings signal change.
According to ABPS from Home Innovation Research Labs, published on Feb. 23, 2026, more than 1,200 U.S. builders reported detailed data on homes built in the past year, selecting from 19 architectural categories grouped into nine classifications for analysis.
Contemporary surpassed Farmhouse as the most popular new-home style nationwide, marking one of the most notable shifts in recent builder-reported architectural trends. While Contemporary and Modern homes are gaining momentum nationally, local history, climate and cultural heritage play a significant role in determining which new home styles by region remain dominant. These regional architectural trends influence not only home aesthetics but also material selection, façade treatments, roof profiles and exterior detailing across Southern, Western and Southwestern housing markets.
