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The Colonial house style consists of many styles built during the "Colonial" period (early 18th Century) in America's history when England, Spain, and France had colonies scattered across what is now the United States. English colonies closely mirrored housing fashions of England although they were 50 years behind. Early on (pre 1700) the First Period English style houses were based on the building practices of late medieval Britain. After 1700 the English colonies evolved their building style into the Georgian style. When the American Revolution arrived the architectural fashion evolved into the Federal style and persisted until around 1820. The next housing fashion to develop was based on the ancient Roman architecture that inspired the Renaissance and was labeled the Early Classical Revival Style. This style was popularized in the southern U.S. by popular southern architects such as Thomas Jefferson. Also, during this time the French colonies in Louisiana developed the French Colonial style and further west the Spanish Colonial style evolved. Both Spanish and French Colonial styles are very rare in today's popular Colonial styles.

The American Colonial styles including First Period English, Georgian, Federal, Early Classical Revival, French Colonial, and Spanish Colonial are familiar today thanks to the Colonial Revival and Spanish Eclectic styles which were popularized in the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition and continue to this day.

Types of Colonial Styles include: First Period English, French Colonial, Georgian Colonial, Federal, Early Classical Revival, Spanish Colonial, Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial, New England Colonial, and Spanish Eclectic