Spanish style homes are all at once elegant and comforting, rustic and refined. Find out why few design styles capture the warmth of a Spanish-inspired home.

The arched windows, tile roofs, and stucco walls we recognize today as Spanish style first developed in Spain during the 10th and 11th centuries. Referred to as “Romanesque” architecture, similar design elements began appearing in northern Italy during the same time frame. 

Spanish style homes first appeared in the United States in the regions settled by Spaniards. From the 1600s through the 1800s, Spanish architecture spread throughout the Southwest, California, and Florida. Browse this gallery of gorgeous Spanish exteriors and interiors and discover why Spanish style homes continue to enjoy widespread popularity.

1. Luxury Spanish-style House

Luxury Spanish style homes aren’t just huge haciendas on large plots of land. In fact, countless luxury home neighborhoods feature Spanish architecture. Narrow, two or three-story Spanish style homes loom above small lots in exclusive communities in Southern California, Texas, and Florida. A Spanish colonial luxury home usually includes a balance between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

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Pale exterior stucco walls on Spanish revival and Spanish colonial luxury homes highlight stunning landscaping. Palm trees, Spanish oaks, crepe myrtles, magnolias, and other flowering trees stand out against any solid white wall. In fact, the simplicity of Spanish home design makes it ideal for anyone showcasing a high-end garden.

Gorgeous landscaping greatly increases a home’s real estate value. Watch this video to see how a Spanish bungalow owner turned her home’s courtyard into a luxurious Spanish style garden: