When it comes to property and homeownership, one of the advantages the Americas have had over Europe has always been space. Hundreds of years ago, as many European countries were beginning to deal with rising population and overcrowding of cities, America was still in the midst of its westward expansion. Governments were practically giving land away, and as a result American property and homes became associated with wide space, rural charm, and sometimes even sprawl.

This phenomenon still exists today. So why do so many American homes look oddly dissociated from the land on which they have been built?

For the most part, American homes don't take advantage of the vast amounts of space they have. It's not uncommon to see a newly constructed home on a large plot of land that looks like it would be more comfortable in the middle of a planned suburb. The best homes are ones that make the most of their geographic location and plot arrangements. And when it comes to making the most of a piece of property, no one does it better than the Europeans.

While Europe is certainly a more congested continent today than North America, European home plans are perhaps the best place for Americans to look for inspiration. The reason for this is that although land is at a premium in Europe today, this hasn't always been the case. European architects have had centuries upon centuries to perfect the art of European house plans, and their results are worth looking into.

European home plans come in many different varieties. They are usually one or two stories, although a home with more than two stories can certainly still be categorized as European. The most valuable characteristics to study are overall look, tone, and feel. European home plans are wonderful at capturing that Old World charm and enchantment. Many people will also remark that a European house plan will have a certain way of integrating with its landscape. It's true--many of these houses seem to simply rise up from out of the ground in a seamless and beautiful way.

Most of the time, these effects are achieved via building materials and design. A good European home's finish will often feature some combination of brick, stone or stucco. These earthy materials play a key role in making a home feel more integrated with open surroundings. When a home is seen in line with other homes, as is the case in many suburban developments, too much stone can be a problem, but on larger lots, a home's context is nature itself--trees, rocks, and the sky. This is where a stone and stucco finish (combined with some expert landscaping) can make for a breathtaking Old World look.

In addition to building materials, another important European element is varied rooflines. In many contemporary American homes, rooflines are a missed opportunity. The bold, vertical lines of today's typical American home are, like synthetic building materials, often suited for a more condensed spaces. But when it comes to a lot that features natural elements, Europeans again do it best. Varied rooflines lend a certain feel that is less in opposition to a rural setting. The easiest way to understand this is by thinking of castles and how well their rooflines are suited to vast tracts of land.

It's no secret that Europeans are well known for their castles, and while Americans don't tend to live in castles, it's been said by many that the American equivalent of a castle is a large-plot home. It's no surprise, then, that the "American castle" is becoming more European than ever before.