Straight and Narrow: 22 Shotgun Houses We Love

Shotgun houses, traditionally no wider than 12 feet, feature a cascaded floor plan, wherein each room is arranged behind the other. These popular residential archetypes born of post-bellum Southern America continue to dot modern cityscapes and draw eyes with their memorable color palettes, intricate architectural details, and space efficiency. Take a tour of these wow-worthy shotgun homes to experience their full glory and glamor.

By Manasa Reddigari | Updated Oct 23, 2019 12:02 PM

Blue Fixer Upper in Waco, TX

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Shotgun House Fixer Upper

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.


Related: 18 Tiny Kitchens That We Love

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Tiny Cottage in New Orleans, LA

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Shotgun House in Yellow and Red

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.

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Double Door Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Double Door Shotgun House

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.


Related: 15 100-Year-Old Houses That Haven't Aged a Day

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Green with Envy in New Orleans, LA

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Sea Green Shotgun House

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.

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Old-Style Taupe House in New Orleans, LA

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Taupe Shotgun House

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.


Related: 19 Rooms That Prove Beige Isn't Boring 

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Cozy Camelback Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Camelback Shotgun House

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.

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Blue and Yellow Modern Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Blue and Yellow Shotgun House

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.


Related: 7 No-Fail Exterior Paint Colors

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Cheerful Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Cheerful Shotgun House

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.

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Two-Story Camelback Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Two-Story Camelback Shotgun House

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.


Related: 12 Vintage Kitchen Features We Were Wrong to Abandon

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Pop of Yellow in New Orleans, LA

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White and Yellow Shotgun House

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.

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The Lily Pad in New Orleans, LA

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Lily Pad Shotgun House

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.


Related: 14 Spaces That Blur the Line Between Indoors and Out

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Eclectic Tremé in New Orleans, LA

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Tremé Shotgun House

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.

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Detailed White Exterior in New Orleans, LA

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White Shotgun House

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.


Related: 14 Insanely Easy Curb Appeal Projects You Can Do in a Day

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Two-Story Duplex Shotgun in New Orleans, LA

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Duplex Shotgun House

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.

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Garden District Townhouse in New Orleans, LA

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Garden District Shotgun House

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.


Related: 16 Iconic American Homes Torn Down Before Their Time

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Orange Crush in New Orleans, LA

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Orange and White Shotgun House

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.

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Historic Reynoldstown Shotgun in Atlanta, GA

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Historic Shotgun House

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.


Related: 9 Bright and Bold Colors for Your Front Door

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Denny-Warren House in Mobile, AL

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Denny-Warren House

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.

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Three-Story Shotgun in Nashville, TN

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Nashville-Style Shotgun House

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.


Related: 20 Tiny Backyards We Love

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Womble-Honeycutt Shotgun in Raleigh, NC

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Womble-Honeycutt Shotgun House

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.

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Quaint Blue Shotgun in Louisville, KY

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Blue Shotgun House

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.


Related: Best Tiny Homes of 2016

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Homey Shotgun in Louisville, KY

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Louisville Shotgun House

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. 

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