The 19 most popular types of homes and house styles

Key takeaways

• Homes are broadly categorized by structure and architectural style, both of which influence cost, maintenance and livability. 
• Multifamily, attached and detached homes offer different levels of privacy, ownership responsibility and shared space. 
• Architectural styles often reflect regional history, climate and building trends. Understanding these distinctions can help buyers narrow their search and choose a home that fits their lifestyle, budget and long‑term plans. 

Narrowing what you want in a home is one of the first — and most important — steps in the homebuying process.

With so many types of homes on the market, finding one that aligns with your taste, lifestyle and long-term needs can feel overwhelming. While factors like location and budget will naturally influence your options, you still have plenty of room to prioritize the look, layout and overall feel you want in a home.

This guide breaks down the key considerations to help you decide, including common home structures, defining design features and popular floor plans. Understanding these options can make it easier to identify which type of home is the right fit for you.

Homes are typically categorized in two main ways: by structural type and by architectural style.

• Design structure relates to the building type. For example, a single-family home versus a multifamily property or a modular home.
• Architectural style describes the exterior look of a home and its interior floor plan.

The architectural house style is often influenced by when the home was built. For example, Colonial homes are popular in historic areas along the East Coast. The style dates to British rule and the earliest English settlers in what is now the United States. It’s rare to find a Colonial home in Arizona or New Mexico, where adobe-style homes are far more common.

Before you choose your ideal design, consider the most common home styles in your immediate area. Understanding what styles dominate nearby can help narrow your options, rule out impractical choices and streamline your home search. Also, keep in mind that new-construction homes can be built to mimic many architectural styles using a wide range of materials.

Multifamily homes are residential buildings with five or more units under one roof. They are typically represented by apartment buildings, where residents rent, or condominiums, where residents purchase individual units. Many homebuyers do not purchase multifamily properties and instead rent apartments until they are ready to buy a single-family home.

An apartment building is one type of multifamily housing with multiple units under one roof. Residents may have access to shared amenities, such as a pool, common areas, laundry facilities or on-site services.

There is no single architectural style that defines an apartment building or complex. A development could include a single high-rise building with hundreds of units or multiple low-rise, garden-style buildings with only a few floors.

A condominium is a residential building with multiple housing units under one roof. Each unit is individually owned, and all owners share ownership of the property’s common areas. Condos are typically managed by a homeowners association, which collects dues to maintain shared spaces such as hallways, roofs and exterior grounds. Individual owners are usually responsible for maintaining their own units.

Condominiums are especially popular in coastal cities and urban areas. They appeal to buyers seeking reduced maintenance responsibilities and often cost less than single-family homes.

Single-family homes are the most common housing structures in the United States.

By definition, a single-family home is a residential property in which the owner controls both the interior and exterior of the home, as well as the land it sits on. Most single-family homes do not share walls or common spaces with other dwellings, though exceptions exist, including some townhouses, rowhouses and duplexes.

A townhouse is a type of single-family home that often shares at least one wall with a neighboring unit. Owners usually have their own entrance and may have a yard or garage, but they often share certain elements, including walls, walkways or roofing.

Because of these shared features, most townhouse communities are governed by a homeowners association and require monthly or quarterly fees to maintain common areas.

Rowhouses are similar to townhouses. They are single-family units with individual entrances and yards, but they are attached to neighboring homes on one or both sides. Rowhouses are typically uniform in design and often feature flat roofs. In cities such as Washington, D.C., rowhouses can extend for entire city blocks. Homeowners associations are uncommon for rowhouses.

A duplex is a single-family structure divided into two separate housing units under one roof. It is commonly used for “house hacking,” a strategy in which the owner lives in one unit and rents out the other to offset mortgage costs. Duplexes may share spaces such as parking areas or backyards, or they may be separated entirely except for a shared wall or roof.

A triplex is a residential building with three separate units under one roof. Each unit has its own entrance and interior living space, though some layouts include shared entrances or hallways. Triplexes are often found in large Victorian homes that have been converted into separate living units.

“Single-family detached homes are not attached to any other dwellings; they stand alone on their own lots,” says Michael Howell, federal political coordinator for the National Association of Realtors.

They typically offer more outdoor space than other property types and may include a carport or an attached or detached garage. Within this category, there are many well-known architectural styles.

Colonial homes are common in historic areas across the North and Southeast, particularly within the original 13 colonies. They are typically constructed of brick, stone or wood framing and feature gable roofs. The style originated with early European Colonists.

“They are typically much older houses,” says Harrison Langley, founder and CEO of MDLR Brands, a modular home builder in Naples, Florida. “There are modern interpretations, but traditional Colonials are often more than 200 years old.”

Colonial homes are known for their symmetry, with evenly spaced windows on both sides of the front door. Many feature front porches and decorative columns.

“Colonials usually have more compartmentalized floor plans, multiple fireplaces and smaller, purpose-specific rooms such as dining rooms and formal living rooms,” Langley says.

While some exceed 2,000 square feet, many traditional Colonials range from about 600- to 1,500 square feet.

Victorian homes rose in popularity in the late 19th- and early 20th centuries. Built during the reign of Queen Anne, these decorative homes are typically large, wood-frame structures ranging from 2,000- to 4,000 square feet. “They often have steep gable roofs and large wraparound porches, which were practical before air conditioning,” Langley says.

Their interiors often include detailed woodwork, ornate moldings, stained glass and large gathering spaces. Single-story Victorian homes are rare; most are two or three stories tall. Because of their size, many have been converted into multifamily properties. Victorian homes can be found across the Northeast, Midwest, South and parts of the West.

Tudor homes are most common in the North and Northeast. These storybook-style houses were originally built for wealthy homeowners in the early 20th century.

“Tudor homes often feature stone or brick exteriors accented with decorative timbering,” Langley says. “They have steeply pitched roofs and strong European influences, particularly from England and Germany.”

Homes that resemble fairytale cottages are often Tudor-style properties.

Cape Cod-style homes are most common along the Northeast coast. These modest houses typically range from 650- to 2,000 square feet and share the symmetrical layout of Colonial homes. They are best known for their weathered cedar shingle siding.

“They often have steep roofs, which can create sloped ceilings on the upper level,” Howell says.

Ranch homes are among the most common home styles in the United States, gaining popularity during the post-World War II housing boom. Typically, single-story, ranch homes feature long, low profiles, shallow roof pitches and partially open floor plans, with living areas separated from bedrooms by a central hallway.

Variations include storybook ranches and split-level designs.

“In a split-level, the entry brings you to a landing with stairs leading both up and down to different living areas,” Howell says.

Traditional single-story ranch homes remain more popular today.

Craftsman bungalow homes are charming, historically inspired houses commonly found in neighborhoods built between the early 1900s and the 1950s. Usually under 2,000 square feet, these homes feature handcrafted details. Front porches are a defining element and often include brick or wood columns and tapered supports.

Modern home styles began appearing across the United States in the mid-20th century. These homes are usually one or two stories and differ significantly from traditional designs. Modern houses often feature large windows, clean lines and industrial-inspired materials such as concrete, wood and stucco.

Midcentury modern refers to a design movement that emerged in the early 20th century and peaked in the 1950s and 1960s.

These homes emphasize natural materials like wood and stone, open floor plans and expansive windows. Many feature low-sloped or angled roofs, minimalist facades and multi-level interiors separated by short staircases rather than full floors.

Contemporary homes represent the most current architectural trends. They differ from historical styles by prioritizing simplicity and innovation. Like midcentury modern homes, they frequently feature large windows and open layouts. Common elements include exposed beams, mixed materials and a focus on straight lines and minimal ornamentation.

Industrial and brutalist designs are experiencing renewed interest. These styles originated in the mid-20th century and fall between modern and contemporary architecture. They often rely on concrete, steel and stucco, with interiors that highlight raw finishes, exposed ductwork and structural elements.

A modular home is constructed off-site in sections and then transported and assembled on a permanent foundation. These homes can replicate nearly any architectural style and are often faster to build, more cost-efficient and energy-efficient than traditional site-built homes.

Beyond modern and traditional classifications, several other home styles are common in specific regions, such as rural areas, wooded locations or parts of Florida and Southern California.

Farmhouse-style homes are common in rural areas and throughout the Southeast. They can be bungalows or larger ranch-style homes and typically feature open interiors, exposed beams and prominent wood accents. Signature elements include large front or wraparound porches and steeply pitched roofs, often made of metal such as tin. Although extremely popular in the early 2000s, the style has declined in recent years.

Mediterranean homes are common in parts of the Southeast, Texas and Southern California. Typically constructed with stucco or stone, these one- or two-story homes draw inspiration from European villas in countries such as Italy and Spain. Characteristics include tile roofs, arched doorways, rounded windows and decorative tile flooring.

Log cabins and A-frame homes are popular in mountainous and wooded areas. Built with exposed wood beams or log construction, these homes emphasize simplicity and warmth. A-frames are especially easy to recognize due to their steeply pitched roofs that form a distinctive “A” shape.