There are many styles of kominka architecture depending on the purpose, period, region, climate and other factors, and there is considerable variety just within their function, being used as farm houses, the residences of village headmen, ordinary urban houses, mercantile houses, residences of samurai families and so on.
古民家には、その使用目的や時代、地域、気候など諸条件によって多くの建築様式があり、使用目的に限っても農家、庄屋屋敷、一般民家（都市部の民家）、商家、武家民家、建家屋敷などがある。