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Like many other closely related plains tribes Osages would use tepees during hunting season. However, unlike those other tribes, the Osage people historically lived in permanent villages. These villages were made up of systematically placed huts that are commonly referred to as longhouses.

Osage longhouses were typically made from tree saplings and animal hides, and were oval or circular in shape at the base. Holes were dug into the ground and one end of a tree sapling was placed into the hole. Dirt was packed back into the hole to ensure the poles would stay in place. The saplings were bent towards the center the dwelling and tied together to form the shape of the longhouse. More saplings were interlaced throughout the structure to help strengthen it. Hickory saplings were the most common but other types of trees were used as well.

Longhouses greatly ranged in size. There are accounts that put some longhouses at nearly 100 feet in length and 20 feet in width. They were made with one opening located on the east side of the dwelling to serve as an entrance and exit, and a second opening that was located at the top to allow for smoke to escape.