How to Describe a House in English: Vocabulary, Examples, and Tips

When learning English, you'll inevitably talk about your living situation sooner or later. This topic is often covered even at a basic level and is designed to help you talk about yourself in the present tense. To be able to talk about housing in English, however, you'll need some vocabulary and phrases. You'll find these in our explanations. We'll show you how to describe your house in English and what its components are, including its rooms and apartments. Of course, you'll find the German translation for every English word.

When talking about a house and its components in English, it's important to remember that there are different types of dwellings. There are large, luxurious villas and small city apartments, condominiums and townhouses, but also cottages, farmhouses and country houses, mountain cabins and beach houses, and so on. There are various contexts in which you need to use specific English terms related to housing to describe a house. Take a look at the following vocabulary list on the topic of dwelling types in English.

English
House
Row house / Townhouse
Apartment / Flat
Single-family house
Semi-detached house
Villa
Farmhouse
Penthouse
Treehouse

Useful Vocabulary for Parts of the House in English

Among the first things taught in school for describing a house in English are the words "door" and "window." The elements that characterize a house are numerous and varied, such as a "back door" and a "staircase."

A useful exercise is to describe your own apartment, the one you live in, and then list the number of rooms and the furniture. Below you will find a useful list of all the components of a house, including furniture, room types, and much more.

Vocabulary Related to Housing in English

General House Description in English

English
Spacious
Cozy
Modern
Traditional
Welcome
Bright
Airy
Open-concept
Well-maintained
Charming

Architectural Features

English
Roof
Wall
Window
Door
Balcony
Chimney
Stairs
Porch
Foundation
Attic

Room and Room Descriptions in English

English
Living room
Bedroom
Kitchen
Bathroom
Dining room
Study / Office
Basement
Attic
Walk-in closet
Guest room

Location and Surroundings in English

English
Suburban
Urban
Rural
Neighborhood
Garden
Yard
Park
Street
View
Quiet

Condition and Equipment Details in English

English
Renovated
Furnished
Unfurnished
Well-equipped
Fixer-upper
Carpeted
Hardwood floors
Central heating
Air conditioning
Fireplace

Garden and Outdoor Area in English

English
Lawn
Flowerbed
Patio
Swimming Pool
Fence
BBQ area
Garden Shed
Pergola
Fountain
Hammock

Colors and Decoration in English

English
Paint
Wallpaper
Decor
Color scheme
Neutral tones
Vibrant colors
Minimalist
Eclectic
Artwork
Ornaments

Exercise: Describe this House in English

Look at the house in the picture and start describing it in English. It's best to use the vocabulary lists we've provided for your description. You can grab a pen and paper and start writing your English description. Alternatively, you can say the description aloud to yourself or silently rehearse it in your head. This way, you'll practice actively using the English language. You'll also find a sample solution for the house description in English.

House Description in English

Look at a picture of a house and start describing it in English. It's best to use the vocabulary lists we've provided for your description. You can grab a pen and paper and start writing your English description. Alternatively, you can say the description aloud to yourself or silently rehearse it in your head. This way, you'll practice actively using the English language. You'll also find a sample solution for the house description in English.

For Example:

Look at the house in the picture and start describing it in English. It's best to use the vocabulary lists we've provided for your description. You can grab a pen and paper and start writing your English description. Alternatively, you can say the description aloud to yourself or silently rehearse it in your head. This way, you'll practice actively using the English language. You'll also find a sample solution for the house description in English.

Get the latest on travel, languages and culture