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See Again
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Historical influences
- American houses have a wide range of historical influences, depending on where they are located. Architectural influences range from British to Dutch, German, and Spanish.
© Shutterstock
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Historical influences
- British houses are mostly marked by distinctive periods. For example, Georgian homes (1714–1837), Victorian homes (1837–1901), and Edwardian homes (1901–1910).
© Shutterstock
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Windows
- Sash windows are popular in American houses. In rural areas, it's also common to find window screens for insect protection.
© Shutterstock
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Windows
- You can also find sash windows in British houses, but many have been replaced by casement ones. Many British houses, however, have distinctive bay windows, like the ones pictured.
© Shutterstock
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Parking
- The US is a nation of drivers, so built-in garages are common in American houses. These are often large enough to park at least two vehicles.
© Shutterstock
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Parking
- While some new homes are built with garages, the vast majority of British houses don't have a built-in one. The small driveways are often used as parking spots instead.
© Shutterstock
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Front doors and entryways
- The porch is a quintessential feature in American homes. This outdoor living space can be found in both the front and back.
© Shutterstock
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Front doors and entryways
- Porches are not as popular in the UK. Some front doors are however quite distinctive. You can find bold colors, stained glass details, and columns adorning the doors.
© Shutterstock
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Size and space
- American homes tend to be more spacious overall. In fact, the average US home is more than twice as big as those across the pond.
© Shutterstock
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Size and space
- British homes have smaller rooms in general, and the layout is also usually more traditional, with less open-plan areas commonly found in American homes.
© Shutterstock
10 / 33 Fotos
Kitchens
- American kitchens are not only bigger than British kitchens in general, but many include features such as kitchen islands, bar chairs, and two-door fridges.
© Shutterstock
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Kitchens
- Kitchens in the UK tend to be more traditional, with galley kitchens being the norm in smaller houses. You might not find an American fridge in a British kitchen, but you will definitely find a kettle.
© Shutterstock
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Bathroom
- American homes tend to have more bathrooms than UK ones. Showers are also more popular than bathtubs.
© Shutterstock
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Bathroom
- Many British homes have bathtubs in bathrooms. These are usually located upstairs (in a two-story house). Downstairs you might find a loo, without a bath or shower.
© Shutterstock
14 / 33 Fotos
Heating and cooling systems
- Air conditioning is king in the US. Many American homes have a HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that works year-round.
© Shutterstock
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Heating and cooling systems
- Many British homes are not equipped to deal with the heat, but they are prepared for the cold. Central gas heating is the most popular type, where radiators will warm up the houses.
© Shutterstock
16 / 33 Fotos
Bedroom
- Many American bedrooms have built-in closets. Beds are also bigger than in the UK.
© Shutterstock
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Bedroom
- In British bedrooms, it's common to find wardrobes, chests of drawers, and other furniture, including a smaller bed than those found across the pond.
© Shutterstock
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Outdoor spaces
- The backyard is the place to chill in the warmer months, throw barbeques, play on the lawn, and for some, enjoy the swimming pool.
© Shutterstock
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Outdoor spaces
- Across the pond, the outside space at the back of a house is called a garden. There might be some garden furniture, a BBQ grill, but also shrubs, flowers, and a patio.
© Shutterstock
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Basement and attic
- Basements are popular in American houses. Many are turned into nice living spaces and are an essential part of the house.
© Shutterstock
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Basement and attic
- You won't find many houses with large basements in the UK, but you will find many with nice attics, some of which are turned into bedrooms.
© Shutterstock
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Fireplaces
- Electrical and gas fireplaces are more common in American houses than wood-burning ones.
© Shutterstock
23 / 33 Fotos
Fireplaces
- Depending on the house, in the UK there are many ornamented fireplaces. These can have a lot of character and stand out as a main feature in the living room.
© Shutterstock
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Garbage disposal
- Garbage disposal units in kitchen sinks are popular across America. They work great for organic waste, such as vegetable peels.
© Shutterstock
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Garbage disposal
- In the UK, most households have access to a wheelie bin where general garbage is disposed of. Some councils provide a different bin for food waste.
© Shutterstock
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Laundry
- Laundry rooms are a reality in many American homes. These places often have a washer and dryer and are spacious enough to use as for storage too.
© Shutterstock
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Laundry
- Laundry rooms are not a common feature of British houses. In the UK, washing machines are most likely found in the kitchen or bathroom.
© Shutterstock
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Doors
- Classic round door knobs are the norm in the US. The lock works by pushing a button.
© Shutterstock
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Doors
- In British homes, doors are mostly fitted with door handles. Locks are separate and require a key.
© Shutterstock
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Electrical sockets
- American and British homes also differ when it comes to electrical sockets. The standard voltage is also different, with 120V in the US and 230V in the UK.
© Shutterstock
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Light switches
- How you switch the light on and off is different in both countries. Switching it up will turn the light on in the US, but do the opposite in the UK. Sources: (Love Property) See also: What if Britain had won the American Revolutionary War?
© Shutterstock
32 / 33 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 33 Fotos
Historical influences
- American houses have a wide range of historical influences, depending on where they are located. Architectural influences range from British to Dutch, German, and Spanish.
© Shutterstock
1 / 33 Fotos
Historical influences
- British houses are mostly marked by distinctive periods. For example, Georgian homes (1714–1837), Victorian homes (1837–1901), and Edwardian homes (1901–1910).
© Shutterstock
2 / 33 Fotos
Windows
- Sash windows are popular in American houses. In rural areas, it's also common to find window screens for insect protection.
© Shutterstock
3 / 33 Fotos
Windows
- You can also find sash windows in British houses, but many have been replaced by casement ones. Many British houses, however, have distinctive bay windows, like the ones pictured.
© Shutterstock
4 / 33 Fotos
Parking
- The US is a nation of drivers, so built-in garages are common in American houses. These are often large enough to park at least two vehicles.
© Shutterstock
5 / 33 Fotos
Parking
- While some new homes are built with garages, the vast majority of British houses don't have a built-in one. The small driveways are often used as parking spots instead.
© Shutterstock
6 / 33 Fotos
Front doors and entryways
- The porch is a quintessential feature in American homes. This outdoor living space can be found in both the front and back.
© Shutterstock
7 / 33 Fotos
Front doors and entryways
- Porches are not as popular in the UK. Some front doors are however quite distinctive. You can find bold colors, stained glass details, and columns adorning the doors.
© Shutterstock
8 / 33 Fotos
Size and space
- American homes tend to be more spacious overall. In fact, the average US home is more than twice as big as those across the pond.
© Shutterstock
9 / 33 Fotos
Size and space
- British homes have smaller rooms in general, and the layout is also usually more traditional, with less open-plan areas commonly found in American homes.
© Shutterstock
10 / 33 Fotos
Kitchens
- American kitchens are not only bigger than British kitchens in general, but many include features such as kitchen islands, bar chairs, and two-door fridges.
© Shutterstock
11 / 33 Fotos
Kitchens
- Kitchens in the UK tend to be more traditional, with galley kitchens being the norm in smaller houses. You might not find an American fridge in a British kitchen, but you will definitely find a kettle.
© Shutterstock
12 / 33 Fotos
Bathroom
- American homes tend to have more bathrooms than UK ones. Showers are also more popular than bathtubs.
© Shutterstock
13 / 33 Fotos
Bathroom
- Many British homes have bathtubs in bathrooms. These are usually located upstairs (in a two-story house). Downstairs you might find a loo, without a bath or shower.
© Shutterstock
14 / 33 Fotos
Heating and cooling systems
- Air conditioning is king in the US. Many American homes have a HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that works year-round.
© Shutterstock
15 / 33 Fotos
Heating and cooling systems
- Many British homes are not equipped to deal with the heat, but they are prepared for the cold. Central gas heating is the most popular type, where radiators will warm up the houses.
© Shutterstock
16 / 33 Fotos
Bedroom
- Many American bedrooms have built-in closets. Beds are also bigger than in the UK.
© Shutterstock
17 / 33 Fotos
Bedroom
- In British bedrooms, it's common to find wardrobes, chests of drawers, and other furniture, including a smaller bed than those found across the pond.
© Shutterstock
18 / 33 Fotos
Outdoor spaces
- The backyard is the place to chill in the warmer months, throw barbeques, play on the lawn, and for some, enjoy the swimming pool.
© Shutterstock
19 / 33 Fotos
Outdoor spaces
- Across the pond, the outside space at the back of a house is called a garden. There might be some garden furniture, a BBQ grill, but also shrubs, flowers, and a patio.
© Shutterstock
20 / 33 Fotos
Basement and attic
- Basements are popular in American houses. Many are turned into nice living spaces and are an essential part of the house.
© Shutterstock
21 / 33 Fotos
Basement and attic
- You won't find many houses with large basements in the UK, but you will find many with nice attics, some of which are turned into bedrooms.
© Shutterstock
22 / 33 Fotos
Fireplaces
- Electrical and gas fireplaces are more common in American houses than wood-burning ones.
© Shutterstock
23 / 33 Fotos
Fireplaces
- Depending on the house, in the UK there are many ornamented fireplaces. These can have a lot of character and stand out as a main feature in the living room.
© Shutterstock
24 / 33 Fotos
Garbage disposal
- Garbage disposal units in kitchen sinks are popular across America. They work great for organic waste, such as vegetable peels.
© Shutterstock
25 / 33 Fotos
Garbage disposal
- In the UK, most households have access to a wheelie bin where general garbage is disposed of. Some councils provide a different bin for food waste.
© Shutterstock
26 / 33 Fotos
Laundry
- Laundry rooms are a reality in many American homes. These places often have a washer and dryer and are spacious enough to use as for storage too.
© Shutterstock
27 / 33 Fotos
Laundry
- Laundry rooms are not a common feature of British houses. In the UK, washing machines are most likely found in the kitchen or bathroom.
© Shutterstock
28 / 33 Fotos
Doors
- Classic round door knobs are the norm in the US. The lock works by pushing a button.
© Shutterstock
29 / 33 Fotos
Doors
- In British homes, doors are mostly fitted with door handles. Locks are separate and require a key.
© Shutterstock
30 / 33 Fotos
Electrical sockets
- American and British homes also differ when it comes to electrical sockets. The standard voltage is also different, with 120V in the US and 230V in the UK.
© Shutterstock
31 / 33 Fotos
Light switches
- How you switch the light on and off is different in both countries. Switching it up will turn the light on in the US, but do the opposite in the UK. Sources: (Love Property) See also: What if Britain had won the American Revolutionary War?
© Shutterstock
32 / 33 Fotos
The main differences between American and British houses
Both internally and externally
© Shutterstock
British and Americans are connected by a common language, as well as many historical aspects, but the two nations have distinct identities when it comes to how they live. The US is a vast land and all things American tend to be larger than life. On the other side of the pond, there isn't as much territory, so space is organized somewhat differently. But how different are American and British homes, really?
In this gallery, we highlight the main differences between how Brits and Americans live. Click on.
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