Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love

Recently renovated, this historic shotgun home in Waco is now the pinnacle of modern style and function. The narrow nest may look tiny on the outside, but inside the home feels surprisingly spacious. An open floor plan unites the wood-floored common area and well-equipped kitchen. A loft looks down on the space, making it the perfect place to hide out while keeping an eye on the activity down below.

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The shotgun house is the signature house style of New Orleans, and this cozy cottage is as classic as any you’ll find in the city. Although the home measures a mere 400 square feet, it houses a large amount of style. The single shared bedroom can fit two beds, and a dining area is squeezes alongside the kitchen. Sky-high kitchen shelving doubles the room’s storage potential without minimizing living space.

Nestled in the French Quarter, this New Orleans cottage, dating back to 1887, retains elements of Victorian-era charm. Bracketed bay windows and a double set of doors give the exterior a wide open and welcoming appearance, while also providing passage to the open floor plan within. Period-authentic heart pine floors, rounded archways, and original fireplaces make this shotgun house a timeless treasure.

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The sea-green exterior of this 1900s-era shotgun home in New Orleans’ Bywater North neighborhood is proof of the home’s playful personality. Thanks to loving renovations, the interior is equally exuberant. Brand-new tile bathroom floors work with the original refinished hardwood floors to refresh the home while preserving its historical appeal.

This taupe shotgun home in New Orleans is replete with charming vestiges of the Victorian era, from the transom above the front door to the ornamental violet awning. The historical details can be found throughout the interior as well. Pine floors, ultra-wide double doors, and classic furnishings create an inviting ambiance that’s pairs perfectly with the old-house architecture.

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Located along New Orleans’ parade route, this shotgun house is within shouting range of raucous festivities on any given holiday. Even on quiet days, the front porch is the perfect place to watch the comings and goings of the colorful neighborhood. A second story at the rear of the residence creates an unusual shape, and designates the home as a camelback shotgun house. Whatever its formal classification, the space-smart interior and immaculate front yard are enough to make it the envy of New Orleans.

The retro color palette of this New Orleans shotgun looks like it was born of the ’50s. Be that as it may, the 1,600-square-foot stunner was built only last year, and boasts the modern amenities to prove it. Indoors, an inviting living room opens onto a modern kitchen, complete with sleek stainless steel appliances—the perfect place to cook up Bayou cuisine.

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This shotgun in the New Orleans neighborhood of Marigny stands out from the crowd with its sunny, yellow facade, ornamental flourishes, and bold red front doors. That same warmth permeates the interior, where a combination of vintage and modern furnishings are set against color-drenched walls to evoke a sense of history without feeling stuffy.

Prepare to be pampered when you step into this customized white camelback shotgun house in New Orleans. Heart pine floors, gray shaker cabinetry, marble countertops and plush white furnishings give the first floor a luxe look, while three comfortable bedrooms can be found on the second floor of the abode.

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Pure and simple is the motto of this shotgun house with a pristine white facade, adorned with a splash of yellow paint. That same simplicity can be found throughout the 1,957-square-foot dwelling, from the blemish-free white walls, to the exposed brick fireplaces with cypress mantels. The result is an interior that can play host to almost any design aesthetic.

Dubbed “The Lily Pad,” this classic 1850s shotgun house near New Orleans’ Bywater boasts a spacious gated courtyard that’s ideal for play or relaxation on fair-weather days. In the bright and airy interior, easy-to-clean hardwood floors, ample seating, and small but efficient appliances make entertaining a simple affair.

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Like its host neighborhood Tremé, this duplex shotgun house offers a fun and festive atmosphere for modern-day New Orleanians. Upon stepping through the vivid blue front door, guests are greeted with eclectic colors, patterns, and textures, from the fiery red floor rug and tiger print three-seater to the towering painted brick surround of the fireplace. An etched glass window on the door and lightweight window dressings let in just the right amount of light to maintain an intimate setting for conversation.

Tourists looking for shelter from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans’ Canal Streetcar line can find it in this regal and restful shotgun home nearby. The ornate exterior of the home, with intricate awning and patterned gable, mirrors the dazzling detail of the interior. There, muted colors and plush furnishings live in harmony with light-toned hardwood floors.

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For double the fun and functionality of the classic shotgun home, look no further than this brightly colored two-story duplex in New Orleans’ historic Marigny neighborhood. Whether you enter from the left or right side of the 3,200-square-foot sea-green abode, you’ll be greeted by a warm hardwood floor and open floor plan, as well as a kitchen stocked with all the modern amenities.

Nicknamed “Beurre Blanc,” that’s French for white butter, this inviting townhouse in the heart of New Orleans’ Garden District likely derives its moniker from its ivory visage and decadent details and landscaping. Elegance on the outside in the form of bay windows and delicate trim, mirrors the luxury indoors—from the milk-white walls to the hardwood floors, and eclectic artwork.

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The vivid orange door and hexagonal gable vent on this shotgun house set it apart from the sea of shotgun homes in New Orleans. The interior is no less striking. Imposing windows and recessed lighting flood the 2,000-square-foot abode with light, while beige walls, hardwood floors, and marble countertops in the kitchen add the subtle burst of texture and color needed to personalize the sprawling space.

As one of the original shotgun homes built in the Atlanta neighborhood of Reynoldstown, this petite periwinkle-colored home has retained authentic accents from the 1880s, while keeping up with the time with the addition of modern amenities. A vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling fireplace coexist with stainless steel kitchen fixtures and ultra-fast Wi-Fi to offer the elegance of the old world with the convenience of the new.

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Nestled in Mobile’s historic downtown, the Denny-Warren House exemplifies classic characteristics of shotgun houses while offering guests the singular experience of being immersed in the natural wonders of Alabama. Ample foliage and a grand oak tree lend cover from harsh elements and bring the tranquility of nature within steps of the front door.

Nashville may be a city for music lovers, but its breathtaking shotgun houses make it an under-appreciated destination for architecture fans. Each of these two enviable shotgun homes in Germantown boasts a whopping three stories of luxury living. The second floor balcony is relaxation-ready with plush seating, sheer curtains, and a fan, making it the ideal getaway from everyday life. One story above, there stands another central gathering place—a rooftop deck complete with a hammock, gas fire pit, and must-see views of downtown Nashville.

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Thanks to thoughtful restorations, most of the original details of the folk-Victorian-style Womble-Honeycutt home have been preserved since its construction in 1908. The single bay window, German weatherboard siding, and fish-scale tin roof give the exterior its iconic look. Indoors, heart pine floors and elegant wainscoting remind visitors of the home’s past, while blending seamlessly with the home’s more modern additions.

Don’t let the petite proportions of the exterior fool you; this demure blue shotgun house in Louisville has surprising depths. The energy-efficient abode boasts 2,712 square feet in total, including a recently added 1600-square-foot second floor. Whichever floor you explore, the vaulted ceilings, refinished hardwood floors, and exposed brick are sure to transport you to the early 1900s, when the roomy residence was first born.

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Fans of the Kentucky Derby can end their quest for the perfect accommodations near the race track by taking up shelter at this Germantown residence. Built in the 1890s, the spacious shotgun is home to two bedrooms, two full baths, and an open floor plan that fits a kitchen, living and dining area.