The Cape Cod house plan has a long history, with roots in the cottages common to medieval England. The style evolved in the northern colonies of early America and reached its heyday during the Colonial Revival of the early 20th century. Its simple rectangular floor plan and straightforward roofline made it a popular choice during the post-war building booms, as it does today.

A Cape Cod home plan has the feel of a cozy cottage, with a floor plan designed to gather family and friends around a large central fireplace. The picturesque Cape house typically features a steep gable roof designed to shed snow and provide living space on the second floor. The upstairs bedrooms may be lit by dormer windows, a common feature on Cape Cod home designs.

Ideal as a starter home, empty nester cottage, or vacation retreat, the Cape Cod home plan's comfortable room proportions and traffic flow have been updated, reinvented, and expanded over the centuries to embrace the tastes of homeowners all over the country.