Much of colonial culture was a balance between traditions from home and adaptations in a new land. This extends to architecture as well. When looking at colonial architectural styles, it's probably easiest to start with the British. So, what did British colonial architecture look like? The British brought with them a taste for Classically-inspired designs.

 They were interested in the formal, rational, and serious qualities of Classical architecture. As a result, British colonial buildings are tending to be defined by a high devotion to symmetry, especially in the facade. This symmetry was generally achieved through the placement of doors and windows in the two stories of well-to-do houses. 

Besides that, the British often placed pilasters or columns around the door, and had a particular taste for shutters around the windows. Wood and brick were the most common building materials, largely due to the availability of these materials more than anything else.

It is always important to remember in colonial architecture that this is just a general trend. Colonial styles varied widely based on the wealth of the family and availability of materials. Not everyone could afford a two-story house or separate rooms, but these were the general expectations.