Southwest Inspiration: Pueblo-Style Homes

When you think of houses in the Southwest, you probably envision beautiful pueblo-style homes – stucco walls, terra cotta shingles and wood beams. But what is a pueblo-style home? They’re certainly different from houses on the East Coast. How did this architecture become popular in the Southwest?

Let’s dig in and find out.

What Are Pueblo-Style Homes?

Pueblo-style homes are typically single-family houses made of traditional materials like adobe, but can also be built out of concrete or stucco. They incorporate smooth rounded walls and wood-oriented features like heavy doors, wood beams and awnings.

Today’s pueblo homes are inspired by the original cliff dwellings of the Southwestern Native American tribes and influenced by Spanish architecture. These early houses had to withstand intense temperature fluctuations and were built with local materials, mostly a dried clay-mud mixture.

Traditional adobe homes had several distinct characteristics to retain and disperse heat. The most noticeable feature is thick walls, which were used to absorb heat during the day and release it throughout the night – keeping occupants relatively warm on cold nights. Small windows kept the inside cool by limiting the amount of sunlight that could get in.

Even the color of the clay was intentional. Light-colored clay prevents overheating, kind of like wearing a white shirt instead of a black one on a sunny day. Darker colors absorb light, whereas lighter colors reflect it, keeping the house cooler.

Pueblo Architecture And Design Features

Once Spanish settlers started moving into the Southwest, they added traditional Spanish architectural elements to these pueblo-style homes. Arches and columns, reminiscent of some European architecture, became a part of many adobe homes moving toward the mid-1800s.

Characteristics of pueblo homes today include:

• Earth-tone, stucco-covered exterior
• Natural materials
• Vigas, or wooden posts that support the roof and protrude from the walls
• Rounded corners and edges
• Wide, covered porches
• Small windows
• Brick or wood floors
• Corner fireplaces and hearths

Pueblo Revival Homes

Pueblo Revival style homes became popular around the 1920s and retained many of the qualities of their predecessors. The major difference is that these houses tend to be a little more ornate in design. Bright accent colors or vibrant tiles often surround doorways and windows.

Other pueblo revival characteristics include:

• Asymmetrical design
• Earth-tone stucco exterior
• Multiple stories
• Enclosed courtyards
• Rounded exteriors
• Square windows
• Arched entryways
• Low-pitched or flat roof
• Clay tile shingles

How To Craft A Pueblo-Style Home Interior

If you like the ease and style of pueblo-style homes but aren’t in the market to remodel or purchase a new home, there are some simple things you can do to pull the pueblo feel into the interior of your home.

Much like the home’s exterior, pueblo interior design incorporates earthy base colors, natural materials, exposed wood and bright accent colors. To create a similar vibe, consider filling your home with natural fiber rugs, earthenware pottery and wood sculptures. You can even bring in indoor plants with terracotta pots to add some greenery.

Don’t just limit your pueblo-inspired decor to the house – take it to the yard! Enclosed courtyards are popular with pueblo revival homes, but if that’s not realistic for your space, try jazzing up a patio and making it an intentional gathering place with a DIY fire pit.

FAQs About Pueblo Homes

When shopping for a home, buyers see many different types of houses, but none will make a statement quite like a pueblo home. However, prospective buyers typically have questions about this style of home. Below are answers to some of these common questions.

What are pueblos made of?

Pueblo homes are traditionally made from stone, adobe bricks and wooden beams, but newer homes might also be constructed of stucco, concrete or mortar. These materials are eco-friendly and usually don’t generate a large amount of waste. Homeowners can also enjoy having lower heating and cooling costs, compared to traditional homes.

Where can I find pueblo-inspired homes?

Most pueblo homes are in the Southwest region of the United States as this was where the original adobe houses were built. Places like Chaco Canyon National Historical Park or the historic district of Santa Fe, New Mexico, are full of traditional pueblo homes.

However, you can still find pueblo-style homes and their influence in other areas. For example, new construction homes in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Southern California may not technically be pueblo homes but pull in design elements like simple stucco exteriors, minimal decor and earth tones.

How much does an adobe house cost to build?

If you don’t live in an area that has pueblo-style homes, you may be able to build one yourself. This type of construction costs about $55 per square foot to build. This price may increase if you decide to go with high-end touches like stone countertops and hardwood floors. In that case, your cost may be closer to $85 per square foot.

The Bottom Line: Pueblo Homes Offer A Unique Style

If you love the idea of living in a desert-inspired home and the look of natural materials, an adobe-style home may be the perfect option for you. Even though pueblo homes are most often found in Southwestern states, you might be able to find one in your area.

Search your local real estate listings to find the pueblo-inspired house of your dreams.