Nova Scotia has many diverse architectural styles, spanning the province's four centuries of built heritage. These styles include:

• French Colonial, 1604-1790
• Dutch or Georgian Colonial, 1700-1830
• Palladian Architecture in Canada, 1749-1830
• Picturesque, 1790-1840
• Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1820-1860 (includes Classical, Roman and Greek Revival)
• Scottish, English, German or Irish Vernacular, 1830-1880
• Gothic Revival, 1840-1890
• Italianate/Italian Villa style, 1840-1885
• Second Empire, 1860-1890
• Queen Anne Revival or High Victorian Eclectic, Shingle Style, 1880-1905
• The Four Square, 1895-1930
• Craftsman and Bungalow, 1910-1940
• Tudor Revival, 1915-1940

Most of the province's heritage structures, especially private residences, were not architecturally designed, but were instead built by knowledgeable carpenters. Consequently, while most have characteristics of a particular style they will not necessarily be 'pure' examples, due to many vernacular influences. Some may even be transitional buildings, with the characteristic style of the time predominating, but overlaid with first touches of the next architectural trend or with vestigial reminders of an earlier style.

Nearly fifty photographs are featured below, presenting typical examples for each of the predominant architectural styles found in Nova Scotia homes. The broad characteristics of each style are identified in the Note Area accompanying the image.