Can you spot the differences between American and British homes? While residents on both sides of the Atlantic are undoubtedly house proud, the two countries have distinct approaches to designing and using their living spaces. Some differences are subtle yet notable, like light switches operating in opposite directions (yes, it’s true!), while others, such as layout and overall style, create more striking contrasts.

Click or scroll to explore the major differences between British and American homes – you might be surprised by what you discover!

The first big difference you’ll notice about American homes is their bold and varied exterior styles. Sprawling ranch-style homes, grand colonial designs, and Spanish hacienda-inspired architecture are all popular across the country, often reflecting the region's heritage or climate.

Many homes feature wide front porches, ideal for relaxing or entertaining, and large, often symmetrical windows to maximise natural light. Roofs tend to have shallow pitches, with durable shingles or tiles suited to the weather. 

UK homes, by comparison, are smaller and, particularly in cities, are often grouped closely together in semi-detached or terraced developments, reflecting the country's denser population and limited land availability.

The choice of exterior materials also highlights key differences between the two countries. In the US, homes are frequently built with timber framing and clad in wood, often in a clapboard or shingle style, chosen for its affordability and adaptability to various climates. In contrast, UK homes are predominantly constructed from brick, a material prized for its durability and thermal efficiency in cooler, wetter climates. Bricks are commonly left natural or painted to suit traditional architectural styles.

Americans are a nation of drivers: as of 2022, 94.5% of US residents over 16 years old drove at least occasionally, making car ownership an integral part of daily life. With many households owning two or more vehicles, garages are a practical necessity. Most single-family homes include attached garages, commonly designed to accommodate at least two cars and often providing additional storage space for tools, bicycles, or outdoor equipment.

In urban areas, rented apartment complexes cater to drivers by offering designated parking spaces, typically located at the back of the property or in dedicated parking lots, ensuring convenience for residents.

In the past, UK homes tended not to have attached garages incorporated into their build. Instead, most houses feature a mix of small driveways and street parking. Even larger, older properties are more likely to have a driveway than a garage, as it wasn’t typically considered an essential feature in the past.

However, this trend is changing. Newer homes, particularly those on the outskirts of cities, are increasingly being built with garages, catering to the growing demand for off-road parking. Today, there are around 11 million homes in the UK with a garage (a third of the estimated 23 million homes), offering more convenient storage and parking options for modern homeowners.

Double-hung windows are common in American homes, offering pleasing symmetry combined with the practical advantage of easy maintenance. Both halves of the window can slide up and down, allowing for convenient cleaning and ventilation. Often found in newer properties and frequently used in kitchens and bathrooms for their space-saving design, sliding windows that open to the side are also widely found in the US.

A distinctive characteristic of American windows is the near-ubiquity of screens. These are a staple in rural areas, designed to keep insects at bay during the summer months without restricting airflow.

UK windows come in a huge variety of styles, some of them highly decorative with multi-pane designs. Older window designs can even have mosaic or stained glass elements. This does make them more difficult to clean and replace, but the intricate design appeals to many homeowners.

Newer homes tend to have simpler sash designs or casement windows, often made with white PVC frames though black and more colourful materials are a growing trend. Screens are rare in the UK, as traditionally there isn’t so much of a problem with biting insects during the summer.

The porch is one of the most iconic features of an American home, often serving as an extension of the living space. Both front and back porches are incredibly popular, providing an outdoor area for grilling, dining, and lounging in the fresh air. In warmer climates, these spaces are often used year-round, becoming gathering spots for family and friends. Many homes even feature wraparound porches that extend around the entire house, offering sweeping views and additional outdoor living space.

Double doors are also common, especially in larger homes, giving the entrance an elegant and welcoming appearance. Storm doors, which provide an extra layer of protection against the elements, are particularly prevalent in colder regions, ensuring that homes remain insulated and secure during harsh winters.

UK homes typically don’t feature porches, but many homeowners put significant effort into maintaining and decorating their front doors, often painting them in bold, bright colours to make a welcoming statement. An integrated mail slot is a common feature, allowing letters to be delivered directly through the door.

In older homes, decorative door knockers are also a popular touch, adding character and charm. These knockers were traditionally used before the advent of electric doorbells, offering both a practical and ornamental role in British home design.

Did you know that American homes are the third largest in the world, with only Australia and New Zealand having larger average property sizes? The average US home spans 2,163 square feet, more than double the average size of just 818 square feet in the UK. The US has vast amounts of land, especially in suburban and rural areas, where property is often cheaper and more abundant allowing for larger homes to be built without the constraints faced in more densely populated countries.

With more interior space, American homes tend to have open-plan spaces with large living and dining areas. The extra room also makes it easier to accommodate modern amenities and create dedicated areas for different activities.

British homes, on the other hand, typically feature smaller, more compact layouts with distinct, separate rooms. Open-plan living and dining areas are less common in older properties, as traditional designs often prioritise clearly defined spaces.

Historically, UK homes have separate kitchens and dining rooms, reflecting a focus on functional, distinct areas for specific activities. In smaller properties, a dining room may be entirely absent, with meals often taken in the kitchen or living room instead. But things are changing with many homeowners knocking down walls to create single multi-purpose rooms with zoned areas for different activities.

There’s no denying that American kitchens are gorgeous with plenty of space for preparing food, cooking and entertaining. The kitchen island is the hallmark of the US kitchen and is often complete with bar chairs and a breakfast area.

Appliances tend to be big, with American fridges boasting double doors. Many US kitchens open onto larger dining areas or form a part of a larger living/dining/kitchen floor. Discreet kitchens with separate doors are less common. 

In the UK, kitchens are usually smaller and have a galley or L-shaped design, which typically doesn’t leave enough room for an island. Open-plan kitchen/dining layouts are more common in newer or renovated homes, while older homes will typically have a separate kitchen.

However, what they lack in size British kitchens tend to make up for in the quality of cabinets, which are often wooden and sometimes painted. In lots of houses its also where you will find the washing machine and dryer, due to the lack of a separate laundry room.

There's no denying it, US homes typically have more bathrooms than in the UK, with ensuites becoming a standard feature in many larger properties. While bathtubs are common in older properties, newer homes often favour large showers over tubs, especially in master bathrooms.

This shift is partly due to the ease of installing showers in modern designs but it also reflects changing preferences – many Americans now opt for showers over baths for convenience and speed. Showers, with their spacious, often luxurious designs, are seen as more practical, particularly for busy households or those looking to maximise bathroom functionality.

UK bathrooms are more likely to feature bathtubs, particularly in older houses which often have a small 'loo' on the ground floor and very rarely have private ensuites attached to bedrooms. This design harks back to the prevalence of outdoor plumbing where freezing toilets were built in garden outhouses before moving indoors in the 20th century.

In newer homes, however, it’s becoming more common to have both a toilet and bathtub in the same room. When it comes to bathing versus showering, the preference varies, but many UK residents highly prize bathtubs, especially large, freestanding soaking tubs, which offer a luxurious, relaxing experience. 

Air conditioning units are standard in most US homes, a practical necessity given the extremely high summer temperatures in many regions. To combat both heat and cold, many residential properties feature a central HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, which provides year-round climate control.

In the summer, the system cools the air, while in winter, it heats the home, offering an efficient solution for fluctuating temperatures. The conditioned air is distributed through ducts and vents, with each room having a vent that can be opened or closed to control airflow, allowing homeowners to easily regulate temperatures in different areas of the house.

As anyone who has ever spent a hot, sweaty midsummer in the UK will know, air conditioning is a rarity in British homes. Instead, when the heat strikes, the common remedy is to crack a window open and hope for a breeze! British homes are traditionally designed to keep warmth in, rather than out, which is why cooling systems are often unnecessary.

For heating, the system is typically delivered via water-filled radiators, which are powered by a central heating system. This system is often fueled by a combination boiler or an older water heater, providing consistent warmth during the colder months, though it doesn't offer a cooling solution for summer heat.

What makes a bedroom a bedroom? Most Americans believe that it’s a built-in closet. And although bedroom closets are not a legal requirement, they are culturally expected by most Americans. Newer homes in the US are built with bedroom closets included by default but most people still need some bedroom furniture for smaller items like socks and underwear, though. 

Average bed sizes in the US tend to be larger than in the UK. A queen-size bed, which is the most common in US bedrooms, is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long, while the UK’s standard double bed is slightly smaller at 54 inches wide by 75 inches long.

By contrast, UK bedrooms rarely come with built-in storage as standard, with most people relying on freestanding wardrobes, chests of drawers, and other storage furniture to house their clothes.

Homeowners with the budget often have custom-built bedroom storage or even walk-in closets built into alcoves and either side of the chimney breast in older homes, and some Victorian-style houses will have the original fireplaces still in situ.

There are some striking differences between how US and UK homes look and are used. In the US, a ‘garden’ strictly means a vegetable garden (think raised beds and pumpkin patches).

American outdoor spaces are referred to as ‘backyards’ and very often include a back porch or deck with a grill (BBQ), a lawn and a swimming pool. Swimming pools, interestingly, are not only reserved for wealthy homeowners.

British gardens are usually green spaces at the front or the back of the house filled with shrubs and flowers, with a smaller outdoor patio or deck. They are famous the world over for their intricate planting schemes, which some American homeowners like reproducing particularly the classic 'English cottage' style.

While pools are a rarity in UK gardens due to space constraints and unreliable summer weather, there is a growing trend towards creating multi-use areas for hot tubs, plunge pools and outdoor lounging. Since the the lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, 'garden rooms' with large comfortable sofas, stylish lighting and firepits have been highly sought after.

US home styles are incredibly varied. A single suburban street presents a fascinating array of historical influences, from colonial with its characteristic columns to the cosy Craftsman-style homes that have low-pitched, gabled roofs with overhang and stone detailing.

Log cabin-style homes are popular in the Midwest. The West and Southwest of the country are heavily influenced by Hispanic building styles, notably the Hacienda, which has a distinctive stucco finish and a clay-tiled roof.

UK homes showcase incredible architectural diversity, with distinctive styles that reflect the country’s rich history. Some of the oldest homes still inhabited in the UK date back to the medieval period, like Saltford Manor in Somerset, built around 1148 but most historic homes fall into three categories: Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian.

Georgian homes (1714–1837) are celebrated for their symmetry and often featuring sash windows, decorative cornices and brick facades, typical of homes found in Bath and Edinburgh. Victorian houses (1837–1901) bring in Gothic and Tudor influences with bay windows, stained glass and ornate ironwork found in former industrial cities like Manchester and Liverpool. Edwardian homes (1901–1910) reflect a return to simplicity, often built with red brick with windows for natural light. Living in such historic homes comes with charm but also challenges – drafty rooms, uneven floors and strict conservation laws make renovations tricky.

If you talk to a person from the US about ‘composting’, they will assume you're a keen gardener. Most American homes have garbage disposals, which are connected to the kitchen sink.

That’s where all vegetable peels and leftover foods go. Garbage disposals don’t eliminate all kinds of food waste, though: they cannot grind up bones or hard shells, for example.

In the UK, garbage disposals are rare, and households typically manage food waste in one of two ways: mixing it with general non-recyclable waste or using dedicated food waste caddies. These small, ventilated bins are often provided by local councils and are collected separately as part of municipal waste services.

While many councils encourage food waste recycling to reduce landfill, participation is optional and households must actively register for the service. The system varies by region, with some councils offering composting initiatives or energy recovery programs, which are even more sustainable.

Most US homes are equipped with a washer and dryer combo, often located in spacious laundry rooms that double as functional workspaces. These rooms typically include counters for sorting and folding clothes, storage cabinets for detergents, and even utility sinks for handwashing delicate items.

In multi-storey homes, laundry chutes are a common convenience. These vertical shafts, often built into walls, allow residents to drop laundry directly from the upper floors into a basket or bin in the laundry room, saving time and effort. 

Laundry rooms are still something of a rarity in UK homes, largely due to limited space in most properties. Instead, washing machines are commonly integrated into kitchens, bathrooms or even tucked into hallways, making the most of available square footage.

Standalone dryers are less prevalent, as many households rely on drying racks, radiators, or outdoor lines. However, in newer or recently renovated homes, washer/dryer combos are becoming more popular, often stacked vertically in compact utility spaces to save room. 

The classic round doorknob is a defining feature of American homes, commonly found on both interior and exterior doors. These knobs often include a built-in latch lock, operated by a push-button or turn mechanism for added convenience and privacy.

While polished chrome is a popular finish, brushed nickel and brass are also widely used to match different interior styles. Many exterior doorknobs are paired with deadbolt locks for enhanced security.

In the UK you are as likely to see lever-style handles as traditional round doorknobs usually finished in brass or matte silver tones. Unlike many American doors, most interior doors in the UK do not have built-in locks. For those that do, locking mechanisms often require traditional keys or bolts rather than push-button or turn locks.

Of course, with so many older houses door handles might be original to the period of the building such as cast iron latches or made from Bakelite, an early type of plastic.

Did you know that light switches always go up for 'on' in the US? Most North Americans will tell you that pushing a light switch up for ‘on’ just makes sense logically because it’s more effort to push something up to turn it on. But that’s about all we have: anecdotal evidence.

US power sockets are very specific, too, fitting small, two-pronged plugs. These sockets operate on 120 volts, a lower voltage than in many countries, which influences the types of plugs and appliances used. Additionally, socket designs include polarisation, ensuring plugs are inserted correctly for safety.

Every UK traveller who has visited the States has been confused by the fact that the ‘on’ light switch position is suddenly up and not down like back home. And vice versa. As for the why, the short answer is we don’t know.

Like Brits and Americans driving on opposite sides of the roads, it’s one of those conventions that doesn’t have an easily traceable historical explanation.

Everyone loves a fireplace! Fireplaces are common in both the States and the UK, although American homes are more likely to have gas or electric fireplaces rather than traditional, wood-burning fireplaces.

Just 1.9% of US homes are heated by wood, and the majority of them are in Western and Southwestern areas like California, Arizona and Washington. In most other areas, you’re more likely to see a gas or electric-powered fireplace insert that creates the impression of real log burning.

In the UK, 7.5% of households use wood at least part-time for heating, while 2.3% rely on it exclusively. Open fireplaces remain in use in older homes, but many homeowners opt for wood-burning stoves, which are safer, more efficient and align with traditional home aesthetics.

Despite their charm, wood burners and coal fires are being phased out due to growing concerns about air pollution and their environmental impact. The UK government has introduced stricter regulations on wood and coal burning, including restrictions on the sale of wet wood and traditional house coal, as part of its clean air strategy to reduce harmful emissions.

US homeowners are experts at maximising every inch of available space, and basements are no exception. Fully finished basements are common, offering versatile living areas that can serve as extra bedrooms, home offices, laundry rooms, or game rooms. Many basements also include dedicated storage space or home gyms, reflecting the desire to make the most of the home's square footage.

In addition to these functions, basements play a crucial role in certain parts of America as shelters from extreme weather conditions, such as tornadoes and severe storms. These underground spaces provide safety, offering protection from high winds and flying debris during emergencies.

Basements are uncommon in the UK, primarily due to the way they are typically built. British homes tend to have concrete foundations which aren't as deep as their American counterparts because there is less risk from severe frost.

Many UK homes are also at risk from flooding, which makes basements impractical. Finished basements do exist in Victorian and Edwardian homes in bigger cities like London and Edinburgh, and the trend for mega basements are on the rise amongst the super-rich. 

If you’ve ever run out of hot water while taking an extra-long shower, that would’ve been because your home’s water tank ran out of hot water!

Hot water storage tanks are still by far the most popular water heating system in the US, present in virtually every home, with over 50% of homes using gas to power their water tanks. Tankless water heaters that heat hot water on demand do exist but are still uncommon. The most common place for the water tank in a U.S. home is in the basement.

In the UK, hot water tanks were once a standard feature, typically found in airing cupboards, where they provided hot water for domestic use. However, these tanks are becoming less common, now present in fewer than 45% of homes, a significant decline from 77% in 2001.

The shift is largely due to the rise of combination boilers, which heat water on demand and are particularly popular in urban areas for their space-saving design and efficiency. In contrast, larger homes in rural areas may still rely on traditional hot water tanks, often paired with immersion heaters as a backup for consistent hot water supply.

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