House Architecture Styles for Small Houses

Cape Cod

• The Cape Cod style of architecture is considered to be an American style, but it has roots deep in England. These homes feature large central chimneys to provide heat to the surrounding rooms, though modern versions may not have a chimney (or a fireplace) at all. When studying the exterior of the Cape Cod, note other specific features including the windows, which flank the centrally located door and the steep roof, which aids in quickly shedding snow or rain. Famous Cape Cod homes include the Dugan home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the Levittown company model, of which more than 17,000 were mass-produced.

Ranch

• Today there are multiple versions of ranch style homes, such as the split level and the raised ranch. Though ranches can be sprawling, large homes, they can also be small and cozy. Ranch houses are single-story homes that are often shaped like an L or a U. Traditionally, these houses had sliding glass doors leading to a patio or backyard. Many ranches also came complete with a one- or two-car attached garage. Famous examples of modernist ranch style homes include those built in California by Joseph Eichler.

Prefab Houses

• There are potentially dozens of types of prefabricated or "prefab" homes available -- from mobile homes and trailers to modern prefabs. Prefabricated homes do not have to be rectangular or single-story. Prefab simply means the house was built elsewhere, such as in a factory, then delivered or assembled on site. A famous example of a prefab home is the House of Steel in Connecticut, built in 1933.

Cottage

• Cottage-style homes are not actually a specific type of architecture but rather a type of houses often used as a temporary dwelling such as for a vacation. Nearly any style of architecture can be used as a cottage home, though smaller types are more common including the Cape Cod, A-frame, bungalow or chalet home. A well-known example of a cottage would be the Katrina cottages, which were used as temporary housing solutions for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Tree Houses

• Tree houses are not likely a popular or common choice for many homeowners, but these tiny (though occasionally quite large) houses do exist. Tree houses can vary greatly in shape with some being shaped like a globe while others are more traditionally square. They can also vary greatly in style from modern to rustic. One famous treehouse is known as the sphere house, which is suspended from a tree and accessible by stairs.

Skinny or Narrow Houses

• These houses are designed to fit into extremely narrow or skinny spaces, such as between two existing buildings in a city. Some of these houses can be as narrow as 3 feet wide, but are often extremely long and capable of housing multiple bedrooms, a dining room, living room and a kitchen. In some countries, such as the Netherlands, these homes are common due to historical issues. In Amsterdam, builders were charged based on the front width of the house, so building narrow homes was more cost-effective at the time.

Bungalows

• Bungalows are another style of architecture commonly used for small homes. Materials used could vary from wooden shingles to brick or stone. These houses feature low-pitched roofs with wide overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. Bungalows often feature a porch, which may or may not be enclosed. One famous example of the bungalow style is the Gamble House of 1908, which was a prototype for Craftsman-style homes in the United States and was one of the company's "Ultimate Bungalows."