Most Popular Architectural Styles in Palm Desert

Most Popular Architectural Styles in Palm Desert

  • Terri Munselle
  • 04/3/23

What kind of homes will you find in Palm Desert — and in the cities that surround the area? If you’re like most people, you have an idea of how many bedrooms you want your home to have and what amenities are the most important to you. To take it a step further, have you thought about what sort of style your home will feature? There are several common architectural styles that you’ll find throughout Palm Desert. Here are a few of the most popular trends and patterns that you’ll see.

Country club

Country club living is a popular choice in Palm Desert. There are a number of excellent clubs in the area that offer residents the finest amenities along with the opportunity to participate in the local community. Country club homes usually feature a traditional or classical look with influences reflected from styles such as Georgian, Colonial, and Mediterranean. These homes often blend in well with the surrounding landscape.

If you’re interested in living inside a country club in Palm Desert, here are a few of the top options for you to consider.

Palm Desert Country Club


The golf club at Palm Desert Country Club features wide fairways and breathtaking mountain views. Coachella Valley Weekly recently nominated the course as one of the best public options in the entire valley. The modern restaurant serves delicious pub-style food and beverages. You’ll want to come by sometime on a Saturday night when they have live music playing.

Indian Ridge Country Club


Many of the homes inside Indian Ridge Country Club feature Mediterranean or Spanish-style architecture, which you’ll learn more about below. Living in Indian Ridge affords you the opportunity to regularly play both of their championship-style golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Tom Weiskopf. You can also enjoy their fitness center, tennis courts, and swimming pool when you aren’t connecting with fellow club members or dining at the clubhouse restaurant.

Palm Valley Country Club


At Palm Valley Country Club, you’ll find 36 holes of championship golf on two courses designed by Ted Robinson Jr. The private club seeks to offer its members the best amenities and service that they will find from any club in the Valley.

Mid-century modern

Most mid-century modern homes were built between 1930 and 1960. The style took off in popularity after the end of World War II, once designers and architects were able to capitalize on technological advances from early in the century. They hoped to build mid-century modern homes that would meet the needs of growing families.

Mid-century modern homes value functionality and simplicity in their design. They normally have flat and low roofs, and they typically use natural elements such as wood and stone in their construction. Neutral colors help these homes better blend in with the surrounding environment. Inside you’ll find open-concept living areas along with built-in cabinets and shelves. Mid-century modern homes use large windows to bring in more natural light and boost the home’s energy-efficiency.

Mediterranean cottages

Mediterranean homes were popular builds in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. They are modeled after hacienda homes, and their main purpose is to capture warmth and wealth. They commonly have arches and red tile roofs. In some areas, you’ll still notice homes being built in this style. Newer Mediterranean homes maintain many of the original points of emphasis, such as heavy wooden doors and tiles of multiple colors.

Spanish stucco

Spanish style homes feature a mix of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Moorish influences. They often feature red-tile roofs and Stucco walls. Stucco is a popular building material because it is easy to find and resistant to harsh weather. Walk inside and you’ll instantly notice the high ceilings, arched doorways, and tile floors. They are highly sought-after among people who enjoy outdoor living because of their designated courtyard and patio areas that bring together indoor and outdoor living. They often contain luxurious amenities like gourmet kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and other elegant furnishings. They do a good job of bringing together traditional styles and modern comforts.

Desert Modernism

Desert Modernism is similar to Modernism but with a slight twist that makes these homes more favorable for life in the Palm Springs area. They tend to fuse indoor and outdoor living so that residents can enjoy the pleasant year-round climate in Palm Springs. Many Palm Springs residents enjoy spending time outside, and Desert Modernist homes allow them to appreciate the weather more frequently.

Desert Modernism is known for minimalist lines that are clean and flat. Floor plans are typically open, and you’ll frequently see sliding glass doors and large windows that bring in more natural light. Many homes have carports rather than full garages. Notable architects who built Desert Modernist homes include Richard Neutra and John Lautner, who first trained under well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Ranch

Ranch homes are modeled after the rural homes that you would often find on Western ranches prior to 1930. This style is considered by many to be unique to American homes. These homes became more popular during the 1950s and 1960s as more families had cars for the first time. This made it more important for each person to have a garage where they could store their car. Ranch homes are another example of home construction that prioritizes function over form. These homes are somewhat like modern homes in that they have large open floor plans and they seek to integrate the outdoors.

Terri Munselle is an experienced Palm Desert real estate agent who has spent many years working in the industry. During that time, she has built a relationship with key area professionals such as fellow real estate agents as well as others involved in the home buying or selling process. Her area knowledge and market familiarity will be tremendous assets for you as you shop for homes for sale in Palm Desert.



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