If you’re cruising through those charming New England coastal towns, you’ll spot all kinds of houses—big ones, tiny ones, you name it. But one style that really stands out is the Cape Cod. It’s basically a cozy, no-frills home that nails the whole simplicity and balance thing. Picture this: a front door smack in the middle, a steeply pitched roof that lets snow slide right off, a chimney running up the center, and living space spread out on one floor (though sometimes there’s a staircase tucked in that leads up to an attic or bedroom). Cape Cod homes popped up way back in the 1700s. Then in the 1920s, something cool happened—this straightforward style made a comeback when it started showing up in home builder catalogs and magazines. A big part of that was thanks to a Boston architect named Royal Barry Wills, who decided to give the original Cape style a modern twist. After World War II wrapped up, updated Cape Cods became the go-to affordable housing choice for vets coming home from the war and folks buying their first place. So what’s a Cape Cod Revival exactly? It takes the traditional Cape Cod blueprint and beefs it up. Instead of staying stuck as a single-story home, the revival version adds extra living space upstairs by throwing in dormers for more room. Bedrooms and bathrooms move upstairs, which frees up way more space downstairs. And instead of keeping that chimney front and center, the new design usually slides it over to the side, opening things up for a bigger living area on the first floor. You get the option for an open-concept setup where your living room, dining room, and kitchen all flow together.
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In The 1940s Cape Cod Revival Was All The Rage. Here’s What Happened
What else modern Cape Cod homes have to offer
Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock Today’s Cape Cod is way bigger than those early 1700s originals, and thanks to the revival movement, the inside feels like a totally different beast. These homes pack in so much more space and come loaded with all the modern conveniences that homebuyers are craving. In Cape Cod Revival homes, you’ll find bigger windows that flood the place with natural light, and they often come with a porch out front too. To squeeze in extra living and storage space, some homes have an attached addition or even a garage. The old originals were pretty stripped down—they’d slap some rough shingles on the sides and call it a day. Modern ones keep that simple vibe on the outside, but they often splash on more color. And you’ve got plenty of options to pick from that’ll look great.
Even with all these modern upgrades, Cape Cods stay pretty budget-friendly, making them super appealing to first-time homebuyers. But it’s not just newcomers to the housing market who dig these homes—they’re also fantastic for retirees looking to downsize and simplify. With its clean lines and timeless charm, the Cape Cod Revival keeps winning over buyers and renters year after year.
