Chicago to Naperville: The 5 Most Popular Home Styles (And What to Know Before You Buy)

Chicago to Naperville: The 5 Most Popular Home Styles (And What to Know Before You Buy)

One of the best things about living in the Chicagoland area is the incredible variety of architecture. You can drive 30 minutes from the city to the suburbs and feel like you’ve traveled through time.

For buyers, however, this variety can be confusing. What is the difference between a "Georgian" and a "Colonial"? Why are there so many stairs in a "Split-Level"?

At the Saladino Sells Team, we believe an educated buyer is a successful buyer. Whether you are hunting in Berwyn, Oak Park, or Naperville, here is your 2026 guide to the 5 most common home styles in our region.

1. The Classic Chicago Bungalow

Where you’ll find them: The "Bungalow Belt" (Berwyn, Oak Park, Chicago’s Northwest/Southwest sides). The Vibe: Sturdy, historic, and cozy.

The Chicago Bungalow is an icon. Built primarily between 1910 and 1940, these homes are famous for their durability. They typically feature a 1.5-story layout, a full basement, and that signature brick construction that stands up to Chicago winters.

• Why Buyers Love Them: They are often more affordable entry points into the market and offer immense potential for attic conversions (adding a massive primary suite upstairs).
  
  
• Saladino Team Tip: Watch out for the "dormer." If you plan to expand upstairs, check local zoning laws in Berwyn or Chicago—historic districts can have strict rules about changing the roofline.
  
  

2. The Suburban Split-Level

Where you’ll find them: Inner-ring suburbs (Lombard, Downers Grove) and parts of Naperville. The Vibe: Practical and separated.

You know you’re in a split-level when you walk in the front door and immediately face a choice: go up five stairs to the kitchen/bedrooms, or down five stairs to the family room.

• Why Buyers Love Them: They offer distinct "zones." The noisy family room is on a different level than the quiet bedrooms, which is great for families. They also typically offer more square footage for the price than a traditional 2-story.
  
  
• Saladino Team Tip: Open concepts are hard here. Because the levels are structural, removing walls to create a "great room" can be expensive. We help buyers visualize how to modernize these layouts without breaking the bank.
  
  

3. The American Foursquare

Where you’ll find them: Older neighborhoods in Naperville, Oak Park, and Berwyn. The Vibe: Grand and efficient.

Imagine a simple box with a pyramid-shaped roof and a big front porch. That’s the Foursquare. These were designed to maximize interior space on narrow city lots.

• Why Buyers Love Them: The layout makes sense. You usually get four large rooms on the first floor and four large bedrooms on the second floor. No wasted space, just big, usable rooms.
  
  
• Saladino Team Tip: These homes are often 100+ years old. When we tour Foursquares, we always check the "bones"—specifically knob-and-tube wiring or older plumbing stacks that might need updating for modern insurance policies.
  
  

4. The Red Brick Georgian

Where you’ll find them: Scattered throughout the near-west suburbs and Chicago’s north side. The Vibe: Elegant and symmetrical.

Recognizable by their rectangular shape, red brick exterior, and chimney on the side, Georgians are the "little black dress" of Chicago real estate—they never go out of style.

• Why Buyers Love Them: Curb appeal. They look stately and expensive, even if they are smaller (typically 2-3 bedrooms).
  
  
• Saladino Team Tip: Many Georgians were built without a master bath. We often see buyers adding additions to the back of the home to create a modern kitchen and family room, significantly increasing the property value.
  
  

5. The Modern Colonial

Where you’ll find them: The subdivisions of Naperville, Plainfield, and Bolingbrook. The Vibe: Spacious and traditional.

If you are moving to Naperville for the schools and the space, this is likely what you will buy. These homes (built 1980s-Present) feature 2 stories, an attached 2-3 car garage, and often a full finished basement.

• Why Buyers Love Them: Convenience. Closets are huge, bathrooms are plentiful (usually 2.5 or more), and they are designed for modern living.
  
  
• Saladino Team Tip: In 2026, the trend is "de-beige-ing." Buyers are taking these 1990s Colonials and painting the oak trim white, updating lighting, and removing carpet to reveal hardwood, instantly modernizing the look.
  
  

Which Style Fits Your Life?

Do you want the historic charm of a Berwyn Bungalow or the sprawling square footage of a Naperville Colonial? There is no wrong answer—only the right answer for you.

The Saladino Sells Team has sold hundreds of homes across all these styles. We know the red flags to watch for in a 100-year-old basement and the value of a finished attic in a split-level.

Ready to start your search? Check out our listing at