10 Types of Houses (with Pictures)

There are over 30 types of houses in America. Lucky for you, you don’t have to use a matchmaking site that involves swiping left or right to find the one you love. Well, maybe it’s not too different from that, but the whole process can be time-consuming unless you know how to narrow down your search.

First, you need to know what you’re looking for, and understanding the different types of homes, what they look like, and their key features will be a huge help. Find out more about home insurance by contacting an insurance agent in your area.

Spoiler alert: We’re not going to go through the 30 types of homes available in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Instead, we’re going to explore the 10 most common types of homes you’re likely to find in your neck of the woods. 

So without further ado, let’s get to it.

1. Colonial Homes

Have you ever wanted to live like it’s 1599, but with modern conveniences? Rewind back to a more formal style with a Colonial. These homes can be broken down into several subcategories that will determine roof shapes and how boxy your home will be.

Subcategories types:

• Dutch
• Georgian
• Federal/Adam

Key features: 

• Shuttered windows
• Aristocratic columns
• Symmetrical designs and features

Good for:

• Reminiscing about the good ol’ days
• Combining modern and classic styles
• Hosting low-key political debates

2. Contemporary Homes

Contemporary doesn’t mean modern, per se. Contemporary means “now” and “cutting edge,” like the “interesting” fashion trends no one really gets. The look of modern and contemporary are similar, but trust us when we say they’re different.

Key features:

• Eco-friendly and energy-efficient
• Open living areas
• Geometrically shaped exterior

Good for:

• Those who love the letters “L” or “U”
• Lego-building enthusiasts
• Classy fundraising events

The quick 411 on contemporary vs. modern:

• Contemporary: No set time period, cutting-edge with some curves, and may feature an indoor-outdoor floor plan.
• Modern: Built between 1920 and 1950, straight lines, flat roofs, white interiors and large windows.

3. Modern Homes

Are modern homes contemporary? They might look it, but technically, they’re not. Modern homes, ironically, could have been built almost 100 years ago. For a quick refresher on the difference between modern and contemporary, see the 411 above.

Key features:

• Clean lines, angles and windows
• Low, flat, uniquely shaped roofs
• White interior

Good for:

• Cocktail parties with important people
•  Rooftop sunsets
• People who want to explain the difference between modern and contemporary 

4. Cottage Homes

Cottages are smaller homes with asymmetrical architecture and steeply pitched roofs. They come in an assortment of crayon-box colors and have major curb appeal. These charming gems are in high demand, so you should not hesitate to claim one if you’re into this style.

Key features:

• Cozy and quaint ambience
• Double-hung grid-style windows
• Adorable front porches

Good for:

• Pretending you’re a woodland elf
• Romantic-comedy movie marathons
• Having more to love and less to clean

5. Victorian Homes

Victorian homes (in their day) were beautiful structures with ornate features, unique shapes and imperial porches. However, if they’re not properly lit at night, they can look an awful lot like haunted houses. So installing some exterior LEDs before you move in is highly recommended.

Key features:

• Elegant and intricate designs
• Ornate finishes and moldings
• Historic beauty

Good for:

• Feeling fancy and accomplished
• Halloween get-togethers
• Tea parties and wine nights

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6. Craftsman Homes

Go “au naturel” with a Craftsman home. These are the homes of yesteryear and hail from the Arts and Crafts Movement. They’re constructed primarily of wood, stone and brick and are easily recognized by their wrapped porches.

Key features:

• Wide front porches
• Low-pitched roofs
• Built-in cabinets… everywhere

Good for:

• Sipping lemonade in a rocking chair
• Waving to your neighbors
• Having the perfect canvas for landscaping

7. Ranch Homes

These widespread, one-story modern ramblers rock an aesthetic that’s a throwback to the days of raising and rounding-up cattle. Saddle up for some stylistic simplicity and lasso yourself one of these classic American beauts.

Key features:

• Widespread “open-concept” floorplan  
• Sturdy-as-hell construction
• Simplistic, country-esque charm

Good for:

• People who have bad knees or hate stairs
• Wannabe cowboys
• Creating home-made stew recipes

8. Log Homes

Our good ol’ pal, “Honest Abe” Lincoln, was a huge fan of log homes. These days, log homes are primarily luxurious getaways… or off-the-grid eyesores. Fun fact: Not all log homes are built of the same types of logs. Depending on where you live, the logs will differ.

Key features:

• Good acoustics inside
• Nostalgic fresh scent
• Genuine wood and other natural materials

Good for:

• Reading leather-bound books
• Becoming one with nature
• Relaxing with fleece blankets

9. Mediterranean Homes

Mediterranean homes are popular in warmer climates because of how stupid they’d look if covered with snow. Plus, if you’re awful at matching patterns and colors, Mediterranean-style homes give you a great excuse to go crazy and blame it on the type of home you bought.

Key features:

• Tiled roofs and stucco exteriors
• Often include several balconies
• Easter-egg color explosion throughout

Good for:

• Power-washing enthusiasts
• Livin’ la vida loca
• Re-enacting Romeo and Juliet from 10 balconies

10. Tiny Homes

Even though these homes are miniscule in size, the tiny house movement is huge and has built a fairly large following. There’s even a show about them on HGTV, so you know it’s legit. Tiny homes pack the bare minimum into a small space for people who like to live freely. 

Key features:

• Between 100 and 400 square feet
• Commonly built with wheels for easy transport
• Creative multipurpose layout and functionality

Good for:

• Free-spirited travel
• People who don’t own a lot of stuff
• People who are genuinely trying to save the world

Ready to Home Shop Till You Drop?

Congrats! You can now sort out cottages from Craftsmans, and moderns from contemporaries. And testing your knowledge is as easy as a drive down the street. 

When you’re all studied up and have the different styles down, you can hit the real estate sites and filter out the “uggos” to make finding your dream home much easier. You can even show off your newfound knowledge on tours, ‘cause why not? Find out more about home insurance by contacting an insurance agent in your area.

Good luck, and we believe in you.