#1
Over here we mostly use wood framing and cladding, with sometimes a brick or stone outer layer, sometimes just vinyl or aluminum (or even more wood) siding, and drywall on the insides. It works well, but apparently terrifies our overseas neighbors.
To learn more about how American homes vary from other houses around the world, we got in touch with a few experts on the topic: Mike Fortin, Founder and CEO of Artemeco; Victoria Pearce of A Life Away, an American living in the U.K.; and Diane of Oui in France, an American living in France. First, we wanted to know what features of American homes stand out to them.
"Homes around the world may serve the same purpose, but their construction, design, and features vary significantly," Mike says. "Two of the most notable differences in American housing are size and availability. The homeownership rate in the U.S. is around 63%, significantly higher than in other countries. Additionally, the average size of a new home in the U.S. is around 2,200 square feet, while in Europe, for example, homes tend to be much smaller—often around 1,000-1,500 square feet."
"The U.S. also prioritizes single-family housing, with approximately 80% of new construction being detached homes, whereas in Europe and other parts of the world, multi-family housing is much more common due to higher population densities and urban planning constraints," he added.
Mike says another major difference is construction materials. "In the U.S., homes are predominantly built with light wood framing, whereas many other countries rely on more durable materials like brick, concrete, or stone," he explained. "This is largely due to tradition and local availability of materials. However, it does mean that American homes tend to be less resilient to natural disasters compared to the more robust structures seen in Europe and parts of Asia."
"Additionally, American home design has long followed the philosophy of 'bigger is better,'" Mike shared. "There has been a decades-long trend of maximizing square footage at the lowest possible cost, leading to homes that prioritize size over durability, efficiency, and quality."
#4
We have ice everywhere here but those guys act like its their most precious resource.
#5
Victoria says that large closets, dedicated laundry rooms and large counters, especially in bathrooms, are uniquely American. “American homes tend to have a lot more built-in storage space. Walk-in closets in particular are nearly impossible to find in the U.K. or Europe,” she explained. “Occasionally, people will use a spare room as a closet/dressing room, but most people can't afford to use their space this way.”
“For any Americans shocked at the idea of using a whole bedroom as a closet, keep in mind that European rooms can be quite tiny,” she continued. “It's common to find bedrooms that will only fit a twin-size bed."
#6
As for why these big closets aren’t common in other places, Victoria shared, “I think the lack of storage space comes down to less available land space in general in Europe compared to America. However, this also impacts things like seasonal decor that are so popular in the U.S. By comparison, people outside of America are less likely to spend money on things like giant Halloween skeletons simply because there isn't anywhere to put it when you don't have it on display.”
#7
“Having a dedicated room for laundry is not common outside of the U.S. Most homes have a washer under the counter in the kitchen,” Victoria continued. “You'll sometimes find homes with washers or dryers in the garage or a hallway. Our current rental home came with a washer in the kitchen and we bought our own tumble dryer for the garage. Homes are often older than those found in America and were not built to include dedicated laundry space.”
“These machines are also smaller than U.S. models and sometimes combine washing and drying in the same machine. Energy to run washing machines is more expensive outside America, which makes smaller machines more cost effective,” Victoria says. “To save energy, most people will hang dry clothing more often than Americans even if they own a tumble dryer.”
#8
To go along with that a garage fridge. Not all Americans have them by a long shot but it's common enough to see a hand-me-down refrigerator in a garage that has beer, pop, and stuff like that in it.
Also a coffee maker. When I was going to university in the UK I wanted a small coffee maker but couldn't find one for the life of me. There were French presses and kettles, but no coffee makers like a Mr. Coffee.
Victoria also pointed out that American bathrooms are gigantic by European standards, one of the big space differences being countertops. “Even primary bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom in the U.K. are more likely to have a pedestal sink instead of the large counter with his and hers sinks that can be found in American homes,” she explained.
“One of the effects of having less storage in the bathroom is the popularity of alternative storage furniture for things Americans usually store in the bathroom. For example, it's common to place a dressing table with a mirror in the bedroom for storing and applying makeup and hair products.”
#9
My first house in the UK had one bathroom. My second had two.
My house in the US had FOUR BATHROOMS. Honestly felt a touch excessive.
#10
#12
Seriously though, I think in general just larger homes.
But Diane pointed out that, even in the U.S., there are a wide variety of homes.
“There are a lot of regional differences within the U.S. since it's a huge country with varied landscapes, climates, socioeconomics, etc., so a home in one area might seem very different to someone from another region,” she shared. “In my experience, big yards are something you don't see as much in my area of France.”
“Space comes at a premium. In the U.S., many states have a ton of land and properties tend to be bigger, the actual house square footage as well, than what you'd find in Europe,” Diane continued.
“Some other American home features I don't see as much abroad are fixed shower heads, shingled roofs, central air conditioning, garbage disposals, huge double door refrigerators, wall-to-wall carpet, and king size beds,” Diane says. “Cultural differences account for a lot of this – each country has their own preferences and ways of doing something – in addition to space constraints, climate, and a bunch of other factors.”
#14
#15
We also wanted to know if any other countries could benefit from incorporating some of these American features into their homes.
"Not necessarily," Mike told Bored Panda. "While the U.S. has developed a system that allows for relatively fast and inexpensive home construction, many of the features that make American homes unique—such as their large size and light wood framing—come with downsides like higher energy costs, lower durability, and greater vulnerability to disasters. Other countries are often better off prioritizing quality and efficiency over size and cost-cutting measures."
#16
“There are pros and cons to all types of houses around the world and what might work for one family might not work for another,” Diane says. “Typical American features aren't the gold standard across the board for everyone, so I think it's important to do whatever makes sense for your family, budget, and personal preferences no matter where you live.”
“Just because something is different in another country doesn't make it wrong,” she added. “I think we can learn a lot by seeing how other people live.”
#18
Victoria would love to see more counter space in her bathroom, though. “It seems likely that a cabinet sink would fit into many existing homes and triple the amount of built-in bathroom storage,” she shared. “Having to buy storage baskets or shelving is annoying when a built-in would add storage and provide space to keep regularly used products.”
#19
On the other hand, we wanted to know what features from other countries American homes could benefit from.
"The American housing industry has been slow to innovate. Compared to many European and Asian countries, the U.S. lags behind in energy efficiency, building quality, and sustainability," Mike says. "Countries with stricter building codes, such as those following Passive House standards, construct homes that are far more airtight, well-insulated, and durable. These homes consume significantly less energy for heating and cooling while providing superior comfort and indoor air quality."
#20
Also affordable computers and smart phones.
Mike believes America should embrace safer, longer-lasting materials like Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) as an alternative to traditional stick framing. "Given the increasing frequency of hurricanes, wildfires, and extreme weather events, the shift toward more disaster-resistant construction should be a priority."
"I’m also a big fan of the European tilt-turn style windows and often include them in homes I design and build. Ultimately, it’s not about the size—it’s about the quality, longevity, and efficiency of the home. America could learn a lot from other countries when it comes to building efficient, safe, long-lasting homes," the expert noted.