That’s partly because it’s better for the environment and community building, but there’s a more practical reason.

Today, the buzz word is “smart growth” - smaller more sustainable communities that really have a sense of community. Seeing a big porch through the dining room, and a shared green space beyond that adds to the illusion that you are getting more - and it makes you want to get out there and reconnect with your neighbors.Īt the height of the market it was all about “suburban sprawl,” with everyone in their back yards, with their own deck, their own swingset, their own pool - and barely knowing their neighbors. Builders are increasingly moving the garage to the back of the house and adding a big porch on the front. The yards are smaller, with many developments favoring shared green spaces over big private yards.Īnd, the front porch is back. It’s not just the inside of the house that’s changing, it’s the outside, too. As your eye sees past the room to the outside, the space feels bigger.

Architects are finding all kinds of design tricks to make a home feel bigger, from varying the ceiling height - seeing that a ceiling is higher in the next room makes it feel even bigger - or putting a direct line of sight to an outdoor space like a porch or deck. It’s time “to bring some sanity back to the equation,” she said.īut just because a house is small, doesn’t mean it has to feel small. For a while there, it seemed, every room had its own bathroom and people just didn’t use them. The “proliferation of bathrooms” is also on the way out, Susanka adds. Instead of a library, you may have a reading nook. So, instead of a game room, you may have a gaming area in part of your great room. “The key today is to provide flexible space,” Thompson said. They were even careful to chop out unnecessary hall space.

Instead of having a formal living room and a family room, the Home for the New Economy has one big “great room” and instead of a home office, an extra bedroom on the main floor doubles as a guest room/home office-or even an in-law suite. This year, it was called which weighed in at around 1,700 square feet – and, interestingly, was only designed virtually. Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or LowerĮvery year, Builder does a concept home that represents where the market’s at. Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower

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