Settling in Florida, California, and the American Southwest, settlers in the Spanish territories of North America built simple, low homes made using rocks, adobe brick, coquina, or stucco with many of these features:
 
Located in the American South, Southwest, and California
One story
Flat roof, or roof with a low pitch
Earth, thatch, or clay tile roof covering
Thick walls made with rocks, coquina, or adobe brick coated with stucco
Several exterior doors
Small windows, originally without glass
Wooden or wrought iron bars across the windows
Interior shutters
Later Spanish Colonial homes had more elaborate features, such as:
Second story with recessed porches and balconies
Interior courtyards
Carved wooden brackets and balustrudes
Double hung sashed windows
Dentil moldings and other Greek Revival details