By definition the Colonial Revival period was one of reuse of Colonial design in the US toward the end of the 19th and into the early 20th century, typically in bank buildings, churches and suburban homes.

This architectural style is considered a Victorian era style because, like the British Victorians, reaction to the Industrial Revolution led to reexamination of the pre-Industrial Revolution past. A revival of Gothic style architecture was the first manifestation of this romantic portrayal of the past. In the early 20th century, the two dominant styles being built in suburbs were Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival.

Following on the heels of America's Centennial celebrations, the Colonial Revival emerged in the early 1880s. The style, which borrowed heavily from early American architecture - particularly Georgian style buildings - was largely an outgrowth of a new pride in America's past and a rapidly growing Interest in historic preservation. Among the leaders of the movement were the partners at McKim, Mead and White, who had made a tour of New England's historic towns in 1878.

In the early phase, the Colonial Revival style remained the exclusive domain of fashionable architectural firms and was favored for the large residences of wealthy clients.

The Colonial Revival building is often a combination of various Colonial styles and contemporary elements. Generally the Revival house is larger than its Colonial counterpart and some of the individual elements are exaggerated or out of proportion with other parts of the house. Some Revival houses, however, are executed with such historical accuracy that they are difficult to distinguish from original houses.

A subgenre of Colonial Revival is Georgian Revival which looks to the architecture in the New England Colonies from 1600-1700.

"Colonial" style in furniture includes all the styles which existed during the Colonial period of American history. The Colonial period ended once the Colonies declared independence from England.