My first encounter with different types of houses came through playing the The Game of Life. During the board game, when it was time to buy a home, I always hoped to choose the charming purple Victorian over the shabby split-level. Reflecting now, I wish I had hoped for house prices to match real-life real estate—$200,000 for a house with a library, parlor, marble fireplaces, and a wraparound porch? Sign me up for a down payment!
But life isn’t a board game, and there are far more than nine different styles of houses to explore. There are myriad styles of houses across the U.S. For instance, the Ranch style is prevalent in the Midwest, Colonial Revival styles of houses are common on the East Coast, and Spanish Colonial styles thrive in California. The popularity of these types can vary by region, making it challenging to differentiate between styles.
By examining architectural elements like trim, rooflines, the number of floors, and building materials, you can determine which types of houses you prefer and which ones don’t appeal to you, once you’re acquainted with all the styles available. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the most common types of houses, highlighting their defining features. Read on for our guide on types of houses from A to Z—or V, so to speak.
Additional copy from Caroline Picard and Hadley Keller.
1
Townhouse
When you picture a townhouse, you likely think of a brownstone in Brooklyn or the Painted Ladies of San Francisco. These types of homes are typically multistory, single-family homes that share at least one wall with neighboring townhouses. The style has European roots, specifically English and French, and it’s often found in urban areas.
2
Split-Level
A split-level is a multilevel, single-family home that’s separated by half-flights of stairs. They’re typically split into three or four levels meant to increase privacy within the home and make it feel more spacious. Garages are usually attached, the living rooms are quite large, and they feature low-pitched roofs. These types of homes were popular in the 1950s throughout the 1970s in the United States, but have fallen out of style in recent years.
3
Saltbox
Defined by the sharply slanted roof, saltbox houses are usually gable-roofed homes that have two stories in the front and only one in the back (due to the roof’s steep angle). These types of homes are often found along the New England coastline.
