These Are 10 Classic Features of a Craftsman-Style Interior (2024)

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Characteristics and Styles That Make Craftsman Homes Stand Out

• 01 of 10

  Natural Wood Materials

  

  When you think craftsman, you probably think handmade or artisan. And there's a reason for that—arts-and-crafts homes focused on natural materials, so you will often see hardwood flooring throughout these homes, even today. You may also find beautiful wooden details, like these columns from 1920craftsman, and natural materials on the home's exterior.

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• 02 of 10

  A Living Room Off the Porch

  

  Rarely will you find a craftsman home without a wide-open porch (one reason for their immense curb appeal). Once inside, you typically step directly into a small foyer or immediately into the living room. Often, there is a visual and a physical connection between the living room and the porch, as seen in this space from Black Lacquer Design. Here, a set of wooden double doors leads to the porch and allows for indoor-outdoor living.

• 03 of 10

  A Fireplace

  

  When it comes to key features of a craftsman home, a fireplace is one of the essentials. Few bungalows go without a built-in hearth to center the space and create a clear focal point for the living room. In this room from blooming_acre, a stone fireplace is flanked by two bench seats to create the ultimate centerpiece for the rest of the living area.

• 04 of 10

  Built-In Bookcases

  

  In traditional craftsman homes, the living room was a haven for entertaining, reading, and relaxation, and almost always had built-in bookcases—usually next to the fireplace like these from curihome. Today, they may be filled with media equipment or pieces of art instead, but built-ins are still among the signature features of a craftsman interior. You will also find them throughout the home, in bedrooms and dens.

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• 05 of 10

  A Dedicated Dining Room

  

  While you may come across a renovated craftsman home with an open floor plan, the traditional style typically had a dining room set between the kitchen and the living room. Like this example from champagneandsawdust, a craftsman dining room usually has wainscoting or beadboard detailing, windows, and sometimes built-ins for seating or linens.

• 06 of 10

  Exposed Ceiling Beams

  

  Another feature of the focus on handcrafted woodwork is the exposed beams in many craftsman homes. As in this space from Michelle Lisac Interior Design, exposed wooden beams help to give the craftsman home that warm feeling and help to center the rest of the furniture and elements in the room.

• 07 of 10

  Dens and Reading Nooks

  

  Craftsman homes are full of endless detail and character, so you will often find fun features in the vein of this reading nook designed by Alana Homesley Interior Design. When space allows, a tiny den is usually dedicated to reading or other solitary activity, typically placed off the living room or dining room.

• 08 of 10

  Eat-In Kitchens

  

  A craftsman home is designed with family in mind, so many spaces you will find cater to social activity. When the kitchen is large enough, you will sometimes find a breakfast nook, like this one from champagneandsawdust. Because craftsman homes always have a dedicated dining space, this nook is small and only serves as a place for a quick bite, not a larger meal.

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• 09 of 10

  Earthy or Neutral Color Palette

  

  While it's not a hard-and-fast rule, many craftsman homes adhere to a simple color palette consisting of grays, whites, or earthy tones such as greens and beiges. As in this living space from curihome, these softer colors work better with the various natural elements and exposed wood you find in a craftsman home.

• 10 of 10

  Focus on Natural Light

  

  Small bungalows and cottages often rely on natural light to help open up the space and add a connection between the outside and inside. Most rooms in a craftsman, like this dining room from tanialacaria, rely on at least two light sources or one oversized window to keep the room light and airy. Since these homes usually have high ceilings, they often feature rows of identical windows to introduce a strong horizontal element into a room along with the warmth of natural light.