Craftsman vs Farmhouse Plans: Key Differences

Picking a house plan style is one of the first big decisions you will make when planning a new build. Craftsman and farmhouse designs are two of the most popular choices in the country right now, and they are easy to confuse at first glance. Both feel warm and inviting. Both work well in neighborhoods and on rural lots. And both have devoted fans who would not trade their style for anything.

But they are not the same, and the differences matter when you are about to invest in a plan and break ground. This guide breaks down what actually sets craftsman plans apart from farmhouse plans so you can move forward with confidence.

Where Each Style Comes From

Understanding the roots of each style helps explain why they look and feel the way they do.

The craftsman style emerged from the Arts and Crafts movement in the early 1900s. It was a reaction against mass production, celebrating skilled handwork, natural materials, and honest construction details. Craftsman homes were designed to show off their structure rather than hide it. The result is a style that feels grounded, intentional, and detailed.

Farmhouse style has a different origin. It grew from working American farmhouses built for function first and aesthetics second. The modern farmhouse trend you see today blends those utilitarian roots with clean, contemporary touches. Think open interiors, simple lines, and a mix of rustic and refined finishes. It is practical and unpretentious, yet polished.

Exterior Appearance: What Sets Them Apart

The exterior is where craftsman and farmhouse plans differ most visibly.

Craftsman homes typically feature:

• A wide, covered front porch with tapered columns sitting on stone or brick piers

• Exposed rafter tails and decorative brackets under the eaves

• Low-pitched gabled rooflines

• Natural materials like wood shingles, river stone, or brick siding

• Earth tones and muted color palettes with contrasting trim

Farmhouse homes typically feature:

• Board-and-batten or lap siding, often in white or light neutral tones

• A metal roof or standing seam roof accent

• Black or dark-framed windows for contrast

• A simple, symmetrical facade without heavy ornamentation

• A wraparound or front porch that is clean and uncluttered

The craftsman look is richer in texture and detail. The farmhouse look is bolder in its contrast and simpler in its lines. Side by side, the craftsman reads as more traditional and layered, while the farmhouse reads as more modern and crisp.

Interior Layout and Flow

Both styles lend themselves to open, livable floor plans, but their interiors have distinct personalities.

Craftsman interiors lean into natural wood, built-in shelving, and defined spaces. You will often find a cozy fireplace with a wood mantle, wainscoting or picture rail molding, and crafted millwork on doors and windows. The spaces feel purposeful and detailed without being fussy. Many craftsman plans include a first-floor primary suite, a common choice for buyers who want main-level living.

Farmhouse interiors are known for open-concept kitchens with large islands, shiplap accent walls, and a mix of materials, including reclaimed wood and matte-metal fixtures. The emphasis is on gathering spaces that flow easily from kitchen to dining to living. Natural light is a priority, and windows tend to be larger and simpler in profile.

If you love built-ins and architectural detail in every corner, Craftsman plans will feel like home. If you love big open kitchens and rooms that breathe, farmhouse plans may be the better fit.

Which Style Fits Your Lot and Location?

Both styles are versatile, but certain settings bring out the best in each.

Craftsman homes tend to look at home in established neighborhoods, wooded lots, and traditional streetscapes. Their rich detailing and natural materials blend well with mature landscaping. If you are building in a neighborhood with a traditional character or a historic feel, a craftsman plan often fits right in.

Farmhouse homes work beautifully on rural acreage, open lots, and coastal settings. The clean white exterior and metal roof accents hold up visually against wide-open skies and natural scenery. They also translate well into modern coastal neighborhoods where the aesthetic leans fresh and light.

That said, both styles are common enough that they look appropriate in a wide range of settings. Your lot size, HOA guidelines, and personal taste will narrow the decision more than any hard rule.

Cost and Buildability Considerations

Neither style is automatically more expensive to build than the other. Costs depend more on square footage, materials, and your contractor's local market than on the style label.

That said, craftsman homes with heavy exterior detailing, exposed timberwork, and custom-built-ins can add to labor and material costs. Farmhouse builds with simpler siding profiles and fewer decorative elements can sometimes be more straightforward to frame and finish.

The best way to manage cost is to start with a well-drawn, code-compliant plan. A clear, complete, and approved plan for your region reduces surprises during permitting and construction. That is exactly why starting with professionally designed plans, rather than adapting a sketch or a rough concept, matters so much when you are working with a real contractor and a real budget.

You can browse craftsman home plans and farmhouse home plans side by side to compare layouts, square footage, and overall footprint before making a commitment.

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Vision

Here is a simple way to think about the decision:

• Choose craftsman if you love rich exterior detail, natural materials, defined interior spaces, and a home that feels rooted and handcrafted.

• Choose farmhouse if you love clean contrasts, open airy interiors, a relaxed modern vibe, and a style that feels at home in both rural and suburban settings.

• Consider your lot, your neighborhood, and how the exterior will look from the street before finalizing anything.

• Think about interior lifestyle. Are you a built-in-shelving-and-fireplace household or an open-kitchen-and-shiplap household? Let that guide you.

Neither choice is wrong. Both styles have produced millions of homes that families love. The goal is simply to find the plan that matches how you actually want to live.

Find Your Plan with RBA Home Plans

RBA Home Plans offers architect-designed house plans across both styles, created by an award-winning architect with decades of experience and thousands of successful builds nationwide. Every plan is built to combine aesthetics, functionality, and code compliance, and plans are approved for use in more than 30 states. Prices start at $1,395 per plan.

Whether you land on craftsman or farmhouse, the next step is browsing the catalog and finding a plan that fits your bedrooms, bathrooms, stories, and square footage. Take your time comparing designs, and when you find one that clicks, you will know.