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By Lauren Busser, The House Designers’ Contributing Writer
Summer is coming and the weather is heating up. In many homes that means it’s time to forget the oven and fire up the grill. As the weather gets nicer you’ll want to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather with poolside parties and cookouts. If you can't wait for summer and grilling up a feast for your family and friends is something you enjoy, it just may be that a Spanish style home would be a good fit. These types of homes are tailor-made for entertaining, particularly during the sunny seasons.
Spanish house plans are derived from the Spanish revival style of homes. These designs began appearing in the United States around 1915, and the style is based on the Spanish architecture found in the early Spanish colonization of North and South America. The first homes appeared in California and Florida where the climate was ideal for Mediterranean-inspired homes and it remains popular in those areas, but has also spread thoughout the continent in some communities. Since its inception, the style has evolved and modernized while gaining distinct details.
When you picture a Spanish style house, you probably think of white stucco and terracotta tile roofs. These are classic features of a Spanish or Mediterranean style home. These house plans also tend to have open floor plans and high ceilings, which are all attractive, but the real draw are the outdoor living spaces used to entertain.
Taking a closer look at a Spanish or Mediterranean style home reveals many fine details about the home’s exterior. You might see ornamental wrought iron on the windows, or perhaps some painted tiles incorporated into the stairs. Real crowd pleasers, these homes are just gorgeous, with a real flair for stylish artistic touches.
A home like the Buena Vista house plan authentically embodys the style of Spanish revival. Elements such as the pool, covered porch and outdoor bar make it a great place to have a cookout. You could even take your outdoor space a step further and design an outdoor kitchen for an efficient, fun place to have a party.
Outdoor living spaces and outdoor kitchens in particular, are gaining in popularity. You could add an outdoor kitchen to any home, but since these homes are especially well suited to warm climates adding an outdoor kitchen would be a great investment. These outdoor kitchens are a huge time saver for people who like to entertain because you can keep all your utensils, plates, glasses and flatware in your outdoor storage areas instead of running in and out of the house for needed items.
Aside from ample space for the neighborhood block party, the outdoor living spaces in these types of homes typically include an area for a pool, and the covered sections of the porch make for a great place to relax by an outdoor fireplace while ensconced in comfortable furniture.
In addition to having a wonderful character all its own, the beautiful outdoor spaces of a Spanish style house plan will make you want to spend more time outdoors. Imagine reading on your porch or veranda by a crackling fire or waterfall. With the romantic façade of turrets, balconies and arches, a Spanish style home makes for a romantic abode as well as a festive place for a party.
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