The Difference Between a House and a Home – Comparison

If you’re wondering what makes a home a home and not a house, we’ve got the answer! Read the article below to get all the details.

There is a bit of confusion when people refer to houses and homes.

The two words are often used interchangeably, and they can be because they often mean the same thing.

However, there are some fundamental differences between the two. Below we aim to define those differences so you can get a better understanding of what the two are and how they are different:

What is a House?

House

noun

/haʊs/

A building for human habitation, especially one that consists of a ground floor and one or more upper storeys.

As we can see by the definition, a house is a physical building that people use to live in. It can be made from many different materials, but the most commonly used material is concrete or wood.

Houses are also designed differently, depending on what area that they are made in, the personal preference of the residents and also the monetary value of the house (or budget under which it was built).

The different materials a house can be built from include brick, concrete, wood and cement, to name a few. Most houses consist of two floors, but it is not uncommon to see a one-storey house either.

Three-storey houses are rarely seen, but do exist as well. The definition of a house does not change according to the size, material or the number of floors it has.

There are also many different styles you can build your house. Colonial style houses are some of the most popular, with wood facades and fireplaces.

Mediterranean style houses are also a popular choice; they feature Spanish style architecture with red roof tiles and a stucco exterior.

Gaining popularity amongst new home makers are modern, minimalist houses that have white or concrete walls with large windows and a boxy structure.

What is a Home

Home

noun

/həʊm/

The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.

The concept of a home is something a little more abstract than that of a house. A home is anywhere where a person feels like they belong.

Yes, a house can be a home, and in most cases it is, but that’s not where the definition of home ends.

A home is somewhere where a person lives or feels like they belong. A house is one type of home, but a home could also mean an apartment, a tent, a boat, a designated area, a car or even a cave. There is no hard and fast rule about what a home exactly is.

The feeling of belonging to a home could also refer to a certain city or country. For some, when someone says home, they can be referring to the city they grew up in or the country where their family is originally from. Again, this is not referring to a single structure.

Finally, a home can also be a state of mind; somewhere where you feel comfortable. Home could refer to the feeling you get when you are with a certain person or people.

The concept of home is more about belonging and comfort rather than being at a physical location. Yes, these feelings can be associated with a particular structure, but it is the feeling of comfort that that place gives you that is referred to as home.

For example, you may be living in a dorm room in college, but to you your home will be where you grew up or where your family is; that is the feeling of home for you.

What is the Main Difference Between a House and a Home?

The main difference between a house and a home is that while house refers to a physical building made of concrete or other material, in a specific structure, a home is any place where an individual lives or believes they belong.

A home does not necessarily refer to a physical building or structure of any kind, but rather just a place where someone feels comfortable, which is usually where they reside.

Though there are some rules of what a house is or should be, there are no such rules that apply to the concept of home. This is because a house can very straightforwardly be defined as a physical structure and home is just that, a concept.

We hope these definitions and comparisons of the two words will help clear up some of the confusion surrounding the differences between a house and home. Once the basic meaning of the words is understood, separating the two is not very difficult!