What is the difference between a bungalow, a villa, a condo,

a cottage, a townhouse and a lodge?

The difference is mainly in the term used for a residence in various parts of the world based on in
its size, function and historic influence. Based on the style of architecture prevalent in these
parts, they have come to be associated houses built in or evolved from those styles globally.

You could also broadly divide them into two types - single independent residences on a plot of
land and multiple residences on a plot.

Bungalow, Villa, Lodge and Cottage are independent residences. Townhouses are houses which
abut other houses by shared walls and are generally higher in density. A Condo is an abbreviation
of Condominium. A Condominium is basically multiple residences on a single plot of land (in
many countries same as an apartment)

Bungalow:

The term Bungalow is derived from Indian word ‘Bungalo’ for houses built in Bengal style. This
style was adopted by the British for building their summer retreats during the colonial rule, and
carried to Europe and USA where it become popular during the arts and crafts movement.

Bungalows are generally low single storied houses (with an occasional smaller second floor built
into the roof) with wide porches, verandahs and sloping roofs with deep overhangs

Villa:

Villas were upper class country estates built by Romans. They were designed to be self
sufficient, and were surrounded by buildings like outhouses, gardens, storage warehouses, and
farmlands.
Roman Tuscan villa style spread through Europe during the renaissance. These villas were built
more for leisure. Nowadays the term is loosely used to mean anything from semi-detached house
to a luxurious home.

Cottage:

The term cottage was used in England (and probably derived from French and German language)
to mean farmer’s homes. They were quaint, modest, cozy and practical homes in rural areas.

They generally have tiled sloping roofs. Nowadays they are used to mean vacation homes built
near water bodies or in forest areas and urban homes built in traditional cottage style with a
rustic feel. In Alpine regions they are also known as Chalets, and are made of wood with heavy
sloping roofs with wide eves.

Lodge:

These were originally meant to be dwelling units for temporary occupation during the hunting or
skiing season or meant a small house at the gates of a park or in the grounds of a large house for
occupation by a caretaker, Gardner or gatekeeper. The term had its origins in Loge or a porch
They became larger for occupation by a higher-ranking person. Nowadays the term is used more
for resort hotels, especially rustic ones.

Townhouses:

These as mentioned before mean houses abutting other houses built in the similar style.
Originally they were the second or third houses of the rich who used them once in a while when
in the town. Soon these became the only homes for people preferred to live in towns, close to
their work place or those who could not afford independent large homes in towns.

Townhouses have smaller area on each floor and have many floors and hence are relatively
denser than independent or semi-detached houses, and unlike apartments with a direct approach
to each house from the main street.

Rowhouses are similar, though smaller, with lesser number of floors and less luxurious than a
townhouse.
Condo:

Condo refers to a dwelling unit in a condominium. Condominium is basically an apartment

complex (or in countries like USA, Townhouse complexes too) having a number of residences in
a building or group of buildings on a single plot which share the common areas & amenities of
the whole development. In places like Singapore they mean apartments having additional luxury
amenities like swimming pools, security guards, play courts etc.

In some countries Condo’s mean dwelling units which are owned whereas apartments mean
those that are rented.