Developed in many American cities as affordable housing for a growing population, the classic row house is compact and modest, ranging from two to four stories high and sharing walls with its neighbors on either side. They vary from city to city: think New York’s brownstones with the sandstone exteriors that give them their name, or the stately red brick of a Georgian town house in Philadelphia.

As significant as row houses are in architectural history, their form can also present some challenges. A narrow footprint makes it difficult to bring in natural light, and cramped layouts no longer fit modern lifestyles—not to mention the buildings that have fallen into complete disrepair. The transformations below show the creative ways designers have overcome these hurdles.

A 19th-Century Row House Becomes a Boho Newlyweds’ Nest

A Super Skinny Row House in Brooklyn Gets an Airy, Loft-Like Makeover

A Resuscitated Row House in Philadelphia Seeks $825K

A Philadelphia Architect Opens Up Her Historic Row House

A Traditional Facade Hides a Dream Home With Emerald Green Accents

A Run-Down Row House in Pennsylvania Gets Adventurous With Color

A 19th-Century Brooklyn Brownstone Is Saved From Utter Disrepair

A Century-Old Row House in Montreal Gets a Glorious Renovation

A Brooklyn Townhouse Is Adeptly Reorganized for Its Extroverted-Introvert Owner

An Architect Takes Steps to Create His Dream Home in Brooklyn

A Humdrum Home in Brooklyn Receives a Stylish Revamp

An Italianate-Style Brownstone in Brooklyn Rises Above Years of Ad-Hoc Remodels

A Dark 1880s Row Home Gets an Airy Makeover

A Traditional Brooklyn Brownstone Receives a Chic Makeover Inside and Out

Related Reading: The Rise and Resurgence of the Great American Row House

Also Appears In

14 Row Houses and Brownstones “Before & After” Their Much-Needed Makeovers