The dream of the average American is not an apartment in Manhattan in a skyscraper with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of Central Park. The average American dreams of owning a home: with a manicured lawn in front of him, a treehouse for his five children, garages for his pickup trucks, and a basement with a pool table and a toy railroad. What do you need to be prepared for when owning a house in the USA and what are the differences from owning a house here?
You need to pay an annual property tax
And compared to us, significant! The newer and more expensive your home, naturally, the more tax you will have to pay on it, because the tax is calculated as a percentage of the assessed value of the home. You won’t be able to cheat the system and buy an old house in a good area to minimize taxes: even old house in a good area it will not be cheap, and the tax will be calculated not on the original cost of the house, but on the purchase price.
The average US tax rate is 1.2% of assessed value, meaning if your home is worth $250,000, you'll pay $3,000 per year. Whether you rent a home, take out a loan, or own it, you pay taxes. If you pay rent, the tax is included in the rent, and if you own a home, you pay the tax yourself.
You can't make noise in the house
You can, of course, if your house stands alone in a field of corn or crowns an abandoned winding road in the forest on a mountainside. If you live in a respectable area with decent neighbors, then most likely it will be problematic for you to buy “stadium” sound equipment and throw a party in the style of American films for high school students. How can this be, after all, this is my house, I do whatever I want in it, and what kind of house is this, through the walls of which loud music can be heard?
Well, first of all, almost all houses are in the States plywood. Have you seen how american houses blown away by a hurricane somewhere on the Florida coast? So, houses in the northern United States, in the snowiest region near the Great Lakes, are made of the same plywood and their sound insulation is so-so. If your neighbor decides that the noise level is interfering with his privacy in his home, he can report it to the police. This appeal will have legal force even if you make noise not out of spite, but “unintentionally” or “carelessly.”
The lawn in front of the house needs to be mowed
What if I want tall grass near my house? - you may ask. It depends on local city regulations and, perhaps, somewhere they allow you to have a corner in front of the house wildlife, with prairie grass, wildflowers and gopher holes. However, most likely city laws will require you to regularly cut the grass in front of your house. How will the authorities know about this? Yours the neighbors will immediately inform the authorities, that you don't do this.
If you forgot to cut the grass in front of your house, then, most likely, they won’t even quarrel with you, call you to a party activist and lecture you. The local authorities will simply send someone to cut the grass in front of your house, and you then they will bill you for it. The only way to circumvent this regulation is to arrange a flower bed or a small botanical garden in front of the house. Then you won't have to mow the lawn, but you will have to take care of the garden.
Snow needs to be cleared in front of the house
You now know that you need to mow your lawn regularly, but then winter came and everything was covered with snow. Hey! You no longer have to worry about cleaning the area. But that was not the case! If in the summer you are responsible for your own lawn, but in the winter you are also responsible for the public paths adjacent to your house, which need to be regularly cleared of snow.
In New York State, for example, homeowners are responsible for clearing snow from all adjacent walkways and sidewalks to ensure they are safe for pedestrians.
Not only that, if there is a bus stop or fire hydrant in front of your property, you will have to regularly clear the snow and ice from the walkways immediately adjacent to them. Each state's regulations are different, but don't be surprised if you see these requirements.
You can't fence the house
Again, this is not always the case and there are exceptions, but most likely restrictions on the use of land will not allow you to build a solid fence around your house. Very often, a house cannot be fenced at all - neither with a fence, nor a fence, nor even a hedge of dense bushes. These restrictions are stipulated by “conditions for the use of land” or “covenants” even if you own the land.
For that matter, the conditions of land use can stipulate anything: what size the house should be, what materials should be used, on which side the air conditioner should be, and even what color the walls should be!
The purpose of such restrictions is to preserve the “atmosphere” of the entire area and, accordingly, land cost. They appeared in the 19th century as agreements between neighbors so that, for example, cattle would not enter private territory. By the 1920s, covenants began to specify requirements for the appearance and neatness of homes. These days they are accepted by homeowners associations and are very difficult to ignore.
What is it like to have a home in America? Part 2
I continue my story about the nuances and surprises associated with owning a home in the United States. Every average American dreams of owning a home, and for America this is quite a “lifting” dream. However, we must not forget that the United States is a very regulated country and there are many rules, responsibilities and even prohibitions associated with the process of buying and owning a home. What should you be prepared for when owning a house in the USA and how does all this differ from what we have here?
Trees - additional costs
Near your house there is a spreading hundred-year-old maple tree that fits perfectly into the yard landscape. Its green crown protects the flower garden from scorching sun and provides pleasant shade for children playing on the lawn.
However, with the arrival of autumn, the beautiful hundred-year-old maple under the house can turn into a real burden. Already in September, red-yellow foliage begins to cover the lawn near the house, which adds to the work of caring for the territory. You have to remove leaves much more often than cut the grass, but you still need to do it regularly. You are not legally obligated to remove leaves, but you are responsible for the safety of adjacent sidewalks, and if someone slips on wet leaves near your home, you could be sued.
On certain days, the “autumn gold” is picked up by a garbage truck, but for this, the foliage must be collected in special paper bags, which you need to buy at the supermarket. Leaves that are not packaged or packaged properly will not be collected by scavengers. Burning leaves, even on your own territory, is strictly prohibited, so the lucky owners of trees have only one option: fork out for a huge number of bags for leaves.
"Competitive" house decorations
Don't want to catch the reproachful glances of your neighbors? Remember that for every holiday, you need to decorate your home and yard with themed attributes. No, this is not required by law and it most likely will not be spelled out in the “conditions of land use” (although it doesn’t hurt to check), however, all Americans decorate their property before every holiday.
Local stores contribute to this in every possible way and offer wide choice decor for every taste and budget. Americans are like children Every year they buy more and more new ones themed home decorations, trying to outdo the neighbors. Glowing deer and garlands for Christmas, cute rabbits and bright eggs for Easter, skeletons entangled in cobwebs, bats and pumpkins for Halloween - will replace one another like soldiers on guard near the White House.
You, of course, may not participate in this race, but you need to remember that Americans can be distrustful of those who do not support their traditions, and decorating houses is a peculiar American tradition, like a turkey on the Christmas table.
Strict rules for garbage collection
The municipality is responsible for garbage collection. Typically, city authorities hold a tender for the provision of these services, and then the winning private company serves a specific area or the entire city on behalf of municipal authorities. The tender specification usually states general requirements for waste collection, and detailed rules are then published by the contractor.
And now you need to read the rules of garbage companies carefully, Otherwise, your trash may not be collected or you may be charged for cleaning. Firstly, there will most likely be requirements for where, how and when to place garbage cans, for example they “must be in a packing area, near the road, with their handles facing the street (but not on the street) every Thursday at 8 am.” Secondly, there is a list of what can be thrown away and what cannot. For example, we have lamps, vacuum cleaners and toasters, but tables, chests of drawers and baby strollers are not allowed, but for a microwave, children's toys and a water cooler they charge an additional fee.
Your home may not be all "yours"
A townhouse is an excellent intermediate solution between an apartment and a house. You already have a separate entrance, your own territory with a lawn and a barbecue, there are no neighbors above or below, but you still don’t have to deal with removing snow and leaves from adjacent sidewalks and mowing lawns. This will be done management company. The townhouse can be purchased and it will belong to you as if it were your own home.
However, very often, even if you own a townhouse, you may not have control over any of its areas and may not be able to change much. For example, you may not have access to the basement, where the technical equipment, or an attic that may even be empty. I'm not even talking about the ventilation, air conditioning, heating systems, and even more so about the appearance of the townhouse.
You can’t grow vegetables or keep animals for fattening.
Again, regulations are different everywhere and if you grow basil in your backyard and keep a couple of rabbits, it may not attract anyone's attention. However, if you plant tomatoes two meters high, install a drip irrigation system, build a chicken coop and have pigs, you will not avoid problems. Recently a home owner from Oak Park, Michigan sentenced to 93 days in prison for planting a vegetable garden in front of her house.
It’s difficult to even say unequivocally what you can break - there are so many things! Firstly, you may violate municipal zoning requirements - they clearly define what you can do on your territory and what you cannot. Secondly, your land lease agreement or condominium rules may prohibit you from setting up a “farm” in your home. And finally, homeowners association regulations can dictate any restrictions that they believe affect the value of real estate in the area.
Which of the above worries you the most? Or does everything seem logical and necessary to you? With which of the above restrictions would you not even like the house?
10 disadvantages of living in the USA that piss me off
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The American style was formed later than most architectural movements. At the end of the 18th century, about 85% of the white population of the North American colonies were from Britain or Ireland; this became a determining factor in the appearance of homes. The American house could not help but borrow characteristic features English buildings different styles- Tudor, Georgian, and later Victorian.
And, of course, the surrounding reality has made its own adjustments to construction techniques and house design. The first colonists had more than enough land and built their farms to be as spacious and practical as possible. City houses could have features of English, German, and, to the south, Spanish styles; they were built from wood and brick. Buildings in the outback acquired features of a style that is now called country (sometimes ranch style). Modern house in American style enjoys steady popularity; attracts customers functional layout, bright personality and always appropriate interior.
A typical house for a large family Source pipesz.ru
American style: design features
Americans are considered a practical nation; this property helped make the houses simple in appearance and comfortable. American houses (projects and layouts) are easily recognizable:
Form. Buildings, as a rule, have a symmetrical shape in plan, one (more economical) or two (more possibilities for planning them) floors and a low foundation.
Environment. The garden plot is clearly zoned and well-groomed; the owners allocate space for a children's room playground, barbecue areas, garden furniture, swimming pool. In front of the main facade there is often a well-groomed lawn with the pride of the owner - a flower bed.
Project details. The house is decorated with a terrace, veranda or spacious porch. American-style house designs certainly include a spacious attached garage.
Atypical option - two full floors and an attic floor Source pinterest.com
Exterior. Laconic, with a predominance of straight lines, made in light, calm colors. For decoration, natural materials are used (stone, brick, wood) or the façade walls are covered with plaster, clapboard, or vinyl siding.
Windows. Projects American houses characterized by a large number of windows. They often have an arched shape - influenced by the Spanish style - and are equipped with shutters.
Attic. A frequent detail of projects, especially in houses with wooden facade. Often it is equipped with a balcony or panoramic window; additional windows are installed on the roof.
Inputs. There are several of them: a front door and an additional one (one or more), through which you can access the backyard terrace.
Roof. Pitched, complex asymmetrical shape.
Type of style: ascetic on the outside, but comfortable on the inside Source dachnaya-zhizn.ru
Layout
The layout of an American-style house has well-established canons. Main principle, which they try to follow when building housing - space and freedom for each family member. Therefore, in both one- and two-story houses, the rooms are made as large as possible, and each has a separate room. The layout of American houses has the following features:
First floor. Here is the hallway, large kitchen, which is often separated from the living room by a bar counter or partition, a dining room, a guest bedroom and a bathroom. Sometimes an adult bedroom, a study room and a gym are located on the ground floor.
Second floor. Here there are personal (bedroom) rooms for family members, dressing rooms, and bathrooms.
Garage. Typical American-style cottage designs necessarily contain a garage, often for two or more cars. It can be adjacent to the house (and have an internal entrance from the house) or be located separately and connected to the housing by a covered gallery. The garage has access to the boiler room and workshop (if provided for by the project).
First floor layout visible from the threshold Source ar.pinterest.com
Terrace and veranda. The wide wraparound terrace on the ground floor is an American classic; it is sometimes used as an exit from the master bedroom. Practical owners place comfortable furniture here for relaxation, hang a hammock, arrange play area for children. Here you can put a barbecue or arrange a summer kitchen. They also try to make the veranda spacious; they decorate it with wicker furniture and gather there for morning coffee or evening conversation.
Materials and design features of the facade
To build American-style housing, various materials can be used, from stone, brick and concrete blocks to timber and logs. But, as you know, the favorite option for Americans is frame houses. This is due to several reasons:
Cheap (does not affect reliability).
Fast and easy assembly.
Good thermal efficiency.
Modern project: three levels and combined facade decoration Source pinterest.es
Popular technologies are:
Frame-panel (panel). Facade and interior walls assembled from panels (blocks, panels) on a pre-assembled wooden frame. Plywood is used as shields, OSB boards(which is poorly applicable in Russian conditions), thermal blocks and SIP panels (suitable for use in areas with long winters).
Frame-modular. A more expensive option, when individual wall elements are assembled at the factory and delivered ready-made to the construction site. Each section has insulation, finishing and necessary communications.
Frame projects of American houses and cottages have no restrictions in the design of the facade. Exterior finishing is carried out using the following materials:
Facade plaster. Use different types of plaster in light color scheme. Mineral plaster can be coated with a protective layer of silicate or silicone paint with vapor-permeable properties, or use acrylic facade paint.
Frame house with ground floor and facade finishing tree Source www.remontbp.com
Facade clinker bricks . This cladding will provide the façade with strength and durability. Thanks to the natural shades of clinker, your home will have a beautiful appearance.
Facade panels . Panels are a modern material with a long service life that can significantly improve appearance buildings. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of colors and textures of materials that imitate natural stone and brick.
Siding. Popular (and economical) modern version home decoration. The material has good protective characteristics and a rich palette of colors.
Block house. Wood looks cozy and is great for decorating traditional homes. Wooden flooring needs periodic treatment to protect it from moisture, mold and insect pests.
Strict symmetry comes from England Source jalh.ca
On our website you can get acquainted with the most from construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.
American style in the interior
Decorating a cottage in the American style requires compliance with several conditions:
Combining the ground floor space. A common technique is that when you enter an American house, you do not find yourself in a hallway, but immediately in a spacious living room. The living room, in turn, is separated from the dining room and kitchen symbolically - by a bar counter, shelving or a sliding partition.
Color selection. The original American retro style implies a predominance of discreet, monochromatic shades of green, gray, and milky. Also in the palette there are always white, brown and beige colors. For bright accent colors, combinations would be appropriate: red with beige and brown, blue with white and sand, green with chocolate and cream. For country style, greater brightness and variegation are acceptable, for example, floral wallpaper or patterned furniture upholstery.
Video description
About the exterior of an American house in the following video:
Fireplace. Direct inheritance English style, it is considered an indispensable component of a real American interior. A traditional fireplace is a fairly large structure (to match a spacious living room) with a wide mantelpiece. It can be made from any material, but it is better to face it with light stone, natural or artificial.
Floor and walls. For the floor, it is preferable to use natural materials that are pleasant to the feet - sanded boards or parquet; laminate is also allowed. Light-colored tiles are often laid on the kitchen floor. The walls are plastered or covered with pastel-colored wallpaper.
Accessories. Uncomplicated and relevant to the life of the owners. These can be photographs and letters in simple frames (metal, wood or plastic) on the walls or mantelpiece, memorable trinkets and elegant figurines, flowers, fruits in baskets or vases.
Modern color accents in a traditional living room Source hr.aviarydecor.com
Furniture. To maintain style, you need massive, high-quality furniture, without pretentious decoration. The finish, depending on the direction (classic or country), is chosen to be monochromatic, with small pattern or leather.
Textiles and carpets. All fabrics, from curtains and sofa upholstery to blankets and tablecloths, should be light. Carpets should not completely cover the floor: on dark parquet A small cream or beige carpet looks stylish.
Lighting. Properly selected lighting fixtures will create the right atmosphere and help zone a large room. For the central part of the house, the living room, a large formal chandelier and additional lamps, floor lamps and table lamps are suitable.
Video description
About the tour of the American house in the following video:
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer house design services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Decorating rooms in an American cottage
When developing American-style house projects, architects and designers use ready-made style developments in the design of various rooms:
Living room. They try to place furniture in the recreation area near the fireplace and away from the walls to emphasize the volume of the room. Select sofas and armchairs that are comfortable; the decor is well complemented by a low coffee table, a display cabinet with a glass front door or bookshelf. Usually in the living room there is also space for modern consumer electronics - a TV and an audio system.
The fireplace takes center stage in the living room Source houzz.com
Kitchen. As part of the common space, the kitchen repeats the style and color scheme of the living room. It is spacious, most often furnished wooden furniture. An indispensable attribute is household appliances, from the hob to the latest model coffee maker. Since there is no partition between the kitchen and other rooms, great value acquires a powerful hood and ventilation system. The kitchen area can be decorated with a still life, landscape or decorative fruit basket.
American style recipe Source psyholog.club
Bedroom. Bright, cozy with a high double bed, chest of drawers and dressing table. Blinds on the window protect from bright sunlight in the morning.
Traditional palette in bedroom design Source pinterest.com
Bathroom. In a spacious house, the bathroom is not reduced in size. It is large enough to easily accommodate a bathtub, shower, sink (often two), many wall shelves and large mirrors framed by lamps. A characteristic feature of an American-style bathroom is a full-fledged window equipped with blinds or roller blinds. The bath is decorated in light colors. Often the size of the home allows for a separate laundry room, usually next to the kitchen or in the basement.
The bathroom is subject to the requirements of functionality and comfort Source br.pinterest.com
Children's. The only place in a classic American home where style is allowed to break. Color design can be anything - from delicate beige-pink shades for girls to rich red and blue for boys. Furniture is placed along the walls, this frees up space for games. To maintain functionality, we select convenient racks for toys and a spacious chest of drawers for clothes. The room is decorated with paintings drawn by its owner, posters, original chandeliers, bedside lamps and table lamps.
Colonial style in the design of a nursery Source yandex.uz
Basement (ground floor). Although the typical American home's foundation is low, its basement is designed to a considerable depth. This area can be used as a storage place, or a workshop, laundry room or gym.
There is enough space in the house for a separate laundry room Source makemone.ru
American style cottage projects
Squat and spacious houses are optimal for large plots of land. Construction and design companies have extensive catalogs American projects houses and cottages, one- and two-story, as well as with an attic floor. If the future owner is not suitable standard solutions, at his service are professional architects and design engineers who are ready to modify an existing option or create a new one. In Russian conditions, such projects have some features:
Quality of construction. Frame technology was developed to be energy efficient, so the house will be warm even in regions with prolonged frosts. The quality of housing will be ensured by a reliable development company with solid professional experience. When choosing a company, it is worth getting acquainted not only with its portfolio (which can be very impressive), but also with the objects it has actually delivered and their happy owners.
Modern American frame house project Source jonesgroupswf.com
Ground floor. Due to the characteristics of the soil and frost heaving, it is not possible to implement a project with a basement in all regions. A smart solution would be to organize a residential attic.
Many recognizable features of the American style resonate well with the Russian customer and are present in the projects:
Open plan and spacious premises (including utility rooms).
Availability of wide porch, terrace or veranda With various options use.
Attached garage, which you can get into without leaving your home (especially valuable in winter).
Attic. An original space for the owners' private rooms.
Project Features. Exit on two sides, a basement for utility purposes, built-in wardrobes and storage rooms increase the comfort and functionality of the home.
Project with an attic balcony and a small porch Source: bostoncondoloft.com
Types of American house projects
In addition to the classic one, there are other types of style:
Ranch. Such houses are often one-story, have an asymmetrical facade, an attached garage and large panoramic windows(sometimes sliding glass doors leading from the living room to the garden). The ranch can be brick or frame, with a roof with low slopes. Shades of gray, blue and brown are used to decorate the façade.
Classic American ranch Source set-travel.com
Southwestern. A type of ranch style that mixes cowboy and Indian traditions. Such buildings are characterized by a stone or plastered facade of red or sand color; The roof is always flat and tiled.
Ranch style with a modern twist Source coolhouses.ru
Such buildings are common closer to the border with Mexico. They are smaller in area than classic American houses and are finished with plaster (usually white, beige or ocher). The style is characterized by a flat or low roof under red tiles, arched windows and passages. The decoration is carved wooden doors, forged grilles and tile ornaments.
American interpretation leaves Spanish colonial house virtually unchanged Source pinterest.com
Craftsman (craftsman's house). One of the most common styles. Recognizable by its low pitched roof, columns supporting the roof over the porch, stained glass in the doors and windows, and exterior stone chimneys. The interior is characterized by ceilings with exposed beams and an abundance of wood in decoration, decoration and furniture.
Popular country design style - craftsman Source cluesarena.com
Turnkey construction of American-style cottages
An American-style frame house is an economical, fast and practical way to acquire your own home. Many construction companies in Moscow and the Moscow region carry out turnkey construction of houses, which means a full cycle of work, preparatory and construction. The company undertakes:
Inspection of the land plot and drawing up a topographic plan.
Finalization of the project or design from scratch.
Budgeting and paperwork.
Purchase and delivery of materials to the construction site.
Carrying out construction work in compliance with all standards and quality control.
Handing over the keys to the owner.
Project for a young family Source lestorg32.ru
The customer gets the opportunity:
Make changes into a standard project.
Explore and evaluate preliminary estimate, and after its approval enter into an agreement with the company.
Get significant savings on building materials (as a rule, companies have permanent reliable suppliers).
Supervise construction(by visiting in person or online).
Pay for construction in stages or in installments.
Get a guarantee for the work performed, and often for materials.
Celebrate housewarming in 5-7 months after the start of construction work.
It will take six months from idea to implementation Source laifgame.ru
Conclusion
Generations of immigrants who left Europe and settled in the vast expanses of North America managed to create an original architectural style that has not lost its relevance to this day. Despite the qualitatively new trends in private housing construction that have emerged over the past 50 years, American cottage projects invariably attract the attention of future homeowners. They are a tempting option for many reasons, including functionality, smart layout and presentable appearance. If you decide to become the owner of an American-style house, projects and photos of the future structure can be viewed in different variations, but they will all have common features.The typical home is not only the “standard design” popular in America, but also the home that the average American family can afford. For an example, I went to a real estate website and looked for houses within a 30-mile radius around me.
Photo Depositphotos
By the way, I searched for a long time because the photos are bad. Americans don’t really bother taking photographs, since everyone roughly knows what’s inside. You'll still have to go and see. I have selected a couple of houses costing up to $200 thousand, and using them as examples I will tell you about a typical American house.
The ad text 3 Bed, 3 Bath means that the house has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with toilets. And besides this - a living room, a utility room, a garage.
The most common house design in the USA. Photo realtor.com
I lived in almost one of these and know the structure of the house well. On the right is a garage for 2 cars, and the garage is quite long and spacious. On the left is the entrance and a small porch. A tiny front garden, by default the builders plant rose hips there. We go into the house.
The hall in the house is the default. Photo realtor.com
On the left is the entrance door, immediately from it there is a staircase to the second floor. In the hall there are windows overlooking the “front yard,” that is, the area in front of the house. In the first photo, these are the same windows to the left of the front door, are you oriented?
If we reach the opposite wall of the house, we will go out through the glass sliding door to the “back yard,” that is, to the back yard.
A typical home has doors to the front yard and back yard. Photo realtor.com
A microwave oven is attached to the wall above the stove - this is often done now. This seems inconvenient to me, because it is simply dangerous to lower the hot stuff from above. There must be lighting above the stove and a hood with a fan at 2 speeds.
When renting out a house, as a rule, everything is already built in, except for the refrigerator. Or maybe they are already building in a refrigerator. To the right of the sink is a dishwasher - “dish washer”. The sink itself must have a built-in waste shredder - “disposal”.
In the kitchen there is a door to the basement or “basement”. Builders usually rent it out with cement walls. But you can turn this basement into candy. For example, like this:
The basement is arranged as the owners' imagination dictates. Photo realtor.com
Usually in the basement suspended ceilings, and to the right and left there are long white doors - these are built-in storage rooms. In general, I didn’t see anything in the basements: bars, game rooms, gyms, workshops.
Let's go back to the first floor. Here, in addition to the hall with the kitchen, there are other rooms. Some have a playroom for children. Often one of these side rooms has a fireplace, TV and armchairs.
Classic lounge. Photo realtor.com
This is a classic of the genre - a relaxation room with a fireplace and a TV on the wall. And in this picture there is already the second floor - one of the bedrooms.
Master bedroom. Photo realtor.com
Most likely, this is the parent's bedroom, that is, the “master bedroom”. It differs in that it comes with its own toilet and bathtub. There is often a double sink there, so as not to quarrel in the morning.
Photo realtor.com
All toilets must have ventilation. Turns on next to the light. The remaining bedrooms (children's) have a shared toilet. Americans always try to ensure that each child has his own room.
A mandatory room in a typical American home is the “landry room,” that is, the room in which the washing machine and dryer are located.
Photo realtor.com
This room is small, just outside the door from the garage. Finally, look at the back of this house.
Photo realtor.com
Apparently, the bedrooms here are small. On the ground floor there is a small kitchen window. They always make him so small.
There are moments that were not included in the photo. Every room must have a smoke detector hanging on the wall or ceiling. And now they are obligated to hang a CO indicator, that is, carbon monoxide. This is the so-called carbon monoxide, colorless and odorless, which is what causes poisoning if the stove is closed early. All these sensors howl terribly if something is on fire in the house. And they only fall silent when you have thoroughly aired everything out.
These indicators have another unpleasant property. When the battery starts to run low, they beep. At night - that's it! You get up, pull the battery out of it and put a new one in in the morning.
I haven't talked about lighting yet. There are a lot of switches in the house. The simplest example is that you entered the house, turned on the light, undressed and took off your shoes and went straight up to the second floor. There is a second switch there that can be used to turn off the light on the stairs. And there are plenty of such “paired” or even triple switches throughout the house.
Both houses that I described are not far from me and from Chicago. The one I mainly talked about costs about $190 thousand, the second one costs about $170. Approximately, because you can always bargain and come to an agreement.
A house in such an Anglo-Saxon country as America is, of course, a fortress, but this fortress seems like a toy, like those that kids build from blocks in winter and from sand in summer.
An American home often evokes a feeling of some frivolity, undignity, and flimsiness. It's all kind of flimsy: panels, slats, plywood, turrets, curlicues and other architectural excesses, instead of a more solid material, say, brick.
Despite the reasonable practicality of these buildings, whose reliability is constantly tested by fierce hurricanes and earthquakes, the American house with its flirtatious flower beds and the inevitable lawn is strikingly reminiscent of a summer house...
(Alexander Genis “American ABC”)
The answer to why American residential buildings so ephemeral, reveals the history of this unusual country - a country located on the land of the Indians, created by Europeans and settled by immigrants from all over the globe.
About the features of colonial architecture
Ah, the flora there is still the same, but the fauna is not the same...
(Bulat Okudzhava)
Colonial architecture has always been a special branch of the architecture of the metropolis. Any colonists needed housing. But when settlers found themselves in a new environment, they had to adapt their building technology to different climates and different materials. In addition, the “new” world for them was already populated, and its inhabitants had to be conquered, culturally shocked, or, conversely, adopted from them knowledge and skills.
The ancient Greeks, having appeared in Asia Minor and Southern Italy, brought with them skills so superior to those of the natives that there was no point in changing their building traditions. To amaze the local population, they built temples larger and richer than in Greece itself. If a more developed civilization was conquered, the borrowing process changed direction, as happened with the same ancient Greeks and Roman invaders.
Colonies in North America created by the Spaniards, French, Dutch, Russians and British.
Of these, the most successful conquerors, supplanting others, were the British, and the United States became a country of Anglo-Saxon culture. This was reflected in architecture, especially the architecture of residential buildings.
Let's start with Spain
The Spaniards came into contact with civilizations whose art of urban planning was in some ways superior to their own - the Incas demonstrated some of the most skillful masonry, and the Aztecs had the skills to create fantastic sculpture. The abundance of gold and silver on Indian soil allowed the Spaniards to create incredibly lavish Missions.
Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tucson, Arizona, 1798
Pueblo style
The oldest building built by Europeans in North America today is the Spanish Governor's Palace in Santa Fe.
Gouvernor's Palace, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1609-1614
A one-story building more than 300 meters long, made of Adobe (raw brick), with a terrace, it was very convenient for living - thick brick walls provided comfortable coolness.
French
They were not such great builders as the Portuguese or the Spaniards, but, representing a craftsman nation, they brought their own unique style.
Despite the fact that at its colonial zenith France controlled a vast territory (from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico), all that remained of the French in American architecture were southern plantation houses with a gallery.
Parlange Plantation House, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, 1750
Due to seasonal floods and a humid climate, the second floor was intended for housing, while the first floor was used for utility rooms.
Dutch
A typical Old Dutch house had a so-called gambrel roof - a double-sided roof with two slopes on each side. The upper slope is gentle, the lower slope is steep.
There were no forests left in Holland by the 16th century, and brick was the main building material. It was also used in the Dutch colonies, where it was sometimes brought in the holds of ships.
Russian America
You will never forget me
You will never see me...
(Andrey Voznesensky)
In the middle of the 18th century, the expedition of Vitus Bering reached the American coast. In 1799, Alexander Baranov founded a colony in Sitka (Alaska). In 1805, Nikolai Rezanov replaced Baranov, and the next year “Juno” and “Avos” sailed to California for provisions. There Rezanov met Conchita, the subsequent events are known to everyone... In 1812, the successors of Baranov and Rezanov founded Fort Ross 60 miles north of San Francisco, which became the center of the fur trade.
Alas, Russian America turned out to be a temporary phenomenon. In 1841, Fort Ross was sold to Johann Sutter, and in 1867, Alaska repeated the fate of Fort Ross. A log church, several houses and a stockade remain at Fort Ross.
British.
Here's the house
which Jack built.
And this is wheat
Which is stored in a dark closet
In the house,
which Jack built...
The British, who landed in North America, created their own unique style. They were not, like Cortes and Pissaro, adventurers in search of fabulous treasures, or, like their fellow Indians, representatives of the government supported by a regular army.
Most of them were simple, hardworking people who left their country in search of a place where they could pray the way they wanted. They were traveling into the unknown with the expectation of a difficult life and a reward in the distant future, which might not have happened. They had no intention of conquering, no intention of impressing, no intention of imitating.
British architecture styles are often named after English/British monarchs.
The first English colonists arrived in America at the beginning of the 17th century. The age of Elizabeth I - the last of the Tudors - was over, the English literary Renaissance had already taken place, but the houses that the early colonists built bore the imprint of the Middle Ages.
They were asymmetrical, with sharp Gothic roofs, relatively small windows, massive chimneys and unpainted walls.
House of the Seven Gables, Salem, Massachusetts, 1668
The events of the novel (under the same name) by the American classic Nathaniel Hawthorne take place in the House of the Seven Gables.
Anatomy of an Anglo-Saxon house
In the Massachusetts house of the Phillipses ( Phillips House) a device was installed designed to alert the maids when they were needed. The device panel lists the main rooms where the maids were supposed to appear when the bell rang and the light came on.
Call Box (Phillips House, Salem, Massachusetts)
The list of rooms gives an idea of the mandatory minimum, without which the house would not be functional:
— living room(parlor),
— dining room(dining room) with adjacent kitchen(kitchen),
— bedrooms(chamber), host and guests, each with its own bathroom(bathroom)
What else was in the house in addition to this minimum was determined by the needs of the owner, born in his fantasies and limited by his wallet.
The listed premises are also present in modern American homes, although under slightly different names. For example, parlor- This living room, chamber — bedroom. The presence of such rooms seems completely natural to us. But it wasn't always like this.
From Roman Britain to Tudor England
When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, they found its inhabitants living in primitive thatched structures. The windowless room served as a common shelter for people and livestock.
The Romans built several cities and a fair number of villas outside the city walls. City houses were two-story, made of brick. When the Romans left Britain, the houses that remained were destroyed, and building skills similar to those of the Romans did not emerge until centuries later.
The Anglo-Saxons who came after the Romans built the first villages. Simple villagers lived in huts, gentlemen lived in long barn-shaped buildings, divided into sections for family, servants and livestock. 
Stone residential buildings only reappeared at the end of the 11th century, under the subsequent Norman conquerors, who built castles and fortified manors. 
These buildings are the direct ancestors of modern English and American houses. But in order for such architectural dinosaurs to turn into comfortable and cozy homes, it took centuries.
Castles and estates. Evolution
Heyday castles came at a time of weak central government. With its intensification, internecine wars between feudal lords changed in nature - castles lost their military significance. The fortresses in which one had to live began to turn into residences that could be defended. The locks were replaced by the so-called fortified estates.
IN castles utility rooms were located on the first floor, the garrison and servants were on the second. Above, reflecting the communal style of early medieval life, was the Main Hall ( Great Hall).
Estates had only two floors - utility rooms were located on the first floor, the Main Hall - on the second. In later times, the Main Hall began to be located on the ground floor, next to the utility rooms. 
Main Hall
The Main Hall was an elongated room, with an entrance in the end wall. On the side opposite the entrance there was an elevation ( dias), on which the table was installed ( high table), intended for the family of the castle owner. 
The Main Hall was a multifunctional room - courts and meals took place there, and performances with music and dancing, acrobats and jugglers were also given here. The common tables were collapsible, and at night the hall turned into a place to sleep. 
Beginning in the 16th century, the Main Hall ceded most of its traditional functions to specialized rooms - the bedroom, lounges and dining room.
Bedroom
In early castles, the lord's family slept at the far end of the hall, behind a raised platform. This place was fenced off only by a partition or even a curtain. In later times a separate room was added to the Main Hall - Lord and Lady's Chamber. Used as a bedroom, the room also served for the secluded rest of the master's family. 
Rooms for relaxation and study
Subsequently, a resting place was allocated in separate room, called at different times Solar(lonely /French/), Parlour(parler - speak /French/) and finally, Drawing Room- room for privacy.
Later, offices and boudoirs appeared.
Cabinet ( Cabinet) - a room for relaxation, study and confidential meetings, usually used by male representatives of the family.
Boudoir ( Boudoir- sulk /French/) - a room for relaxing, changing clothes and romantic dates, the female equivalent of an office. 
Bathroom and toilet
Castles and estates did not have a private bathroom. The gentlemen from time to time took a hot bath in their bedroom - in a large wooden tub. Niches were made in the walls of the castle, called Wardrobe- prototypes of modern toilets. They contained simple stone seats with holes.
Dining room and kitchen
Initially, lunch was prepared on the hearth in the center of the living space, and the meal also took place here. Later, in order to reduce the likelihood of a fire, a special room began to be allocated for the kitchen - either an adjacent room, or even a separate building. 
By the end of the sixteenth century, which ended the Tudor period (1485 - 1603), British houses began to resemble modern ones, but they were still places where people both lived and worked. Home and workplace began to be separated only in the seventeenth century.
Yeoman's House (17th century)
Upon entering the house, you found yourself in a long corridor ( passage - 1), leading from the front door to the back door. 
Things were done in the dining room ( dining room - 2), and guests could go into the adjacent living room ( parlour - 3), where the family was disconnected from the bustle created by servants and workers. Food was prepared in a separate kitchen ( kitchen - 4). Cool spiral staircase led from the dining room to the bedrooms ( bedchambers - 5), located on the second floor. In the attic ( loft - 6), which could be reached by a ladder, the servants slept on mattresses.
In the second half of the 1600s, New England settlers built houses that could be called typically colonial (in America, the adjective "colonial" without qualifying words (Spanish, French) refers to the English colonial past.
The houses had to be protected from the cold climate of New England (temperature -30 degrees Celsius, high snow cover, strong winds). To retain heat, stoves were built in the center of the house, the rooms had low ceilings. Sloping roofs prevented snow drifts, and shutters on the windows protected from the wind.
Cape Cod style
This style first appeared in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 
One story Cape Cod style home.
Early Colonial Homes in the South
The same symmetrical houses were built in the southern colonies, only they were often made of brick, with chimneys along the edges.
Saltbox style
To increase the usable area of the house, the colonists expanded the first floor, continuing the roof slope below the second floor.
The shape of such a house resembled a box for storing salt, hence the name Saltbox.
Georgian style
Roman Empire in decline
maintained the appearance of firm order
(Bulat Okudzhava)
There were six British kings named George, but from an architectural point of view the designation Georgian refers to the reigns of four monarchs - from George I to George IV (1714-1837). This period claims to be the Golden Age of British architecture.
The Great Fire (1666) in London, which ended the Great Plague, virtually wiped out the medieval city from the face of the earth - the restoration of London was dominated by classic shapes Renaissance. The outstanding English mathematician and architect Christopher Wren was chosen to restore the city. Thanks to him, the ideals of the Renaissance became popular in England and were reflected in the Georgian style. The works of Ren and his followers are made in the tradition of Palladianism - an architectural movement based on the legacy of one of the greatest Italian architects - Andrea Palladio. The main features of the Georgian style are symmetry of forms, classical proportions, pale colors and elegant decoration.
Georgian architecture reflected the differences between the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern colonies, although common features are clearly visible throughout: a central entrance, a regular arrangement of windows, a façade decorated with stucco and pilasters.
Georgian houses. New England
New England is deprived of stone, so almost all buildings, residential or public, were made of wood. The roof often had double slopes, like on Dutch houses.
HunterHouse, Newport, Rhode Island, 1746
Vassal-Craigie-Longfellow, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1759
Georgian houses. Middle Atlantic
In the mid-Atlantic and southern colonies, stone and lime were available, and these materials allowed for richer home decoration.
Mount Pleasant, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1761
Cliveden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1764
Georgian houses in the South
Governor's Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1755
Mount Airy, Warsaw, Virginia, 1755
Architecture of the 19th-20th centuries
The development of capitalist relations in the United States and the emergence of large fortunes are marked by a new period in the history of US architecture, aptly named the “parvenu period” (upstarts). In Western cities, built at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, you can see imitations of palaces from all over the world on the same street. The largest architect of this period was the founder of the American Romanesque school, Henry Richardson. He is the author and builder of the famous Trinity church in Boston.
Trinity church in Boston
Richardson only took on large, expensive jobs. Owning a house built by Richardson was considered a sign of the highest respectability and wealth. He built houses of granite or brick combined with yellow-gray granite, with round pointed towers, Romanesque close arches, heavy balconies and pointed roofs. There are many houses built by Richardson and his followers in Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Only New York was not affected by the Romanesque style at all.
House built by Richardson in Oklahoma
In 1888, the first multi-storey building with a frame made of steel rails - the ancestor of American skyscrapers. The first skyscraper (it had 22 floors) was built in the same Chicago in 1891. Until 1896, skyscrapers were designed in the Romanesque style, the dominance of which was coming to an end.
Chicago Insurance Building - the first skyscraper
Subsequently, American architects adapted it to the design features of skyscrapers gothic style. Perhaps these new features are most clearly expressed in the Chicago Tribune building, built in the Art Nouveau style, but topped with Gothic towers and spiers. A significant part of New York - business districts, where space savings are taken to the limit - is built up with skyscrapers.
Chicago Tribune building
The pride of Americans is the 102-story Empire State Building, built in the 30s. In 1922 it was announced international competition on best project this building. Out of 260 projects submitted by architects from 23 countries, the design of the Americans John Howells and Raymond Hood was chosen. Almost every major city in the United States has several or at least one skyscraper, usually built in the center. But even in New York, which is thought of as a city of skyscrapers, most of all are not skyscrapers, but houses with 5-8, or even 2-3 floors. There are especially many such houses in the suburbs and in the neighborhoods of the rich.
Empire State Building, New York
The period from early 1890 to 1917 stands out as a period of eclectic architecture. It is characterized by the absence of a single direction, a dominant school. Attempts are being made to revive colonial styles. To achieve this, it was considered sufficient to equip the house with white columns, cornices and green blinds.
In New York, on Fifth Avenue and Broadway during these years, houses were built copying the styles of Louis, Italian architecture, etc. The same diversity of style is characteristic of the main streets of the cities of the steppe states. Corbusier's style is quite common. Relatively recently built buildings in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona were erected in the old Spanish style, combined with all the technical improvements of our time.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the style of Pueblo Indian buildings was in fashion. The anthropological laboratory building in Santa Fe is an adobe structure, reminiscent of the buildings of the eastern Pueblos, but with oak carved doors, European interior decoration, with all amenities. Such houses are designed for wealthy people - the aesthetic bourgeoisie, fashionable writers and artists, movie stars.
Cottages are being built in the spirit of New England buildings, “huts” of the Far West, etc.
Modern American Homes
Architectural diversity is characteristic mainly of large cities, as well as medium-sized cities that arose in the western regions of the country relatively recently from the middle or late XIX V. Small towns in various parts of the country are extremely similar to each other. As a rule, in such a city there is a pharmacy, a market, one or two restaurants, and a cinema located in the center.
The suburbs of American cities are worth a special look. Their construction began along with the construction of railways, around the 40s of the 19th century. They originate from the country houses of the rich. For them, dachas, and later houses in the suburbs, were a way to get rid of high urban land rents and taxes. Railroad and road connections make holidays in the country accessible for people of average income. Now the suburbs have become a common appendage to the big city.
The suburbs of growing cities have recently been built up with small cottage houses designed for one family. Such houses are placed in rows and blocks of several houses per acre. These houses are standard in design, layout, decoration, and furniture, which is a common subject of American jokes. Sometimes it gets annoying, guys, why build absolutely identical houses? It is clear that it is profitable for the developer to build houses according to one architectural plan, but if Americans did not buy such houses, they would not be built. This means that they are content to live in cliched houses without any individuality. Something like this American life reminds Soviet Union, where in all cities there were not only identical houses and apartments, but even everyone’s furniture was the same.
Often houses are in so-called communities, when there is one common entrance to the “town” with a coded gate. In such a community there are usually common playgrounds, sometimes common swimming pools, sports grounds and other facilities. Residents pay a community fee every month. Residents are often required to maintain the lawns in front of their houses to keep them fresh, beautiful and green, otherwise they have to pay a fine to the community or the city, if the latter has a corresponding law. I know one family who had to pay $500. a fine because they stopped watering the lawn and it turned yellow.
In a modern house, almost all rooms have analogues in the Middle Ages.
Kitchens are still kitchens. The same can be said about pantries and cellars.
Chambers ( chamber) became bedrooms ( bedroom), and the Main Halls turned into hallways ( entrance hall). Yes, yes, small hallways modern houses- this is all that remains of the huge halls of medieval castles and estates.
To the canteens ( dining room) the function of “a place for eating” was transferred from the Main Halls.
Solars became living rooms ( living rooms), Cabinets- libraries ( libraries),A Boudoirs- changing rooms ( dressing rooms).
The arrangement of rooms in a modern American house follows the principle “my home is my castle”: the living and dining rooms (public areas) are on the ground floor, bedrooms and offices are on the upper floors.
In American homes, much attention is paid to improving the kitchen. This attitude towards cuisine is generally traditional in American life. Since colonial times, the kitchen has been the center of family life. Not only was food prepared here, but the whole family gathered here for dinner; in the evenings, saving fuel and lighting, we sat by the kitchen fire. Even now, when many families eat in cafes, kitchens continue to be quite large; often the kitchens are combined with a dining room - a room where there is a large dining table and where the whole family gathers.
Another feature of Americans is that they count the number of rooms in a house only by bedrooms; all the rest are considered non-residential. Therefore, ordinary 1-room American apartments are the same as, in our understanding, 2-room apartments. If a house has 2 or more bedrooms, then there will almost always be several bathrooms; there are also so-called half bathrooms - this is just a toilet without a bath or shower.
Approximate layout of a typical American house
First floor 
Second floor 
Third floor 
In the USA there is a tendency to increase the area residential buildings. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century, the size of the average house was in the range of 700-1200 square meters. ft., in the 1970s the average American home increased to 1,500 sq. middle foot, now this figure is approximately 2300 sq. foot. Average home prices for middle-class Americans are also steadily rising. If in 1900 the cost of one house was approximately $5,000, then in 1950 it was $5,000. It was already $11,000, and in 2011. Average cost homes across all states was $267,000, and in 2013 - $324,000. At the same time, due to rising land prices, there is a tendency to reduce the area of the plot on which the house stands. In 1990 The average home lot was 14,680 square feet, in 1998 it was 12,870 square feet and in 2010 it was 11,800.
Of course, in different regions, the US states are still dominated by their architectural style, determined by and colonial influence, And geographical location state: need to build somewhere warm houses made of wood or brick due to the cold, in some places thin cardboard will do because... the temperature does not drop below zero, somewhere you need to build strong houses that could withstand constant earthquakes or tornadoes. Often in major cities You can find architectural styles from almost all countries of the world that immigrants bring with them.
Californian houses usually have no basements, the walls are made of thin materials, and they all look almost the same: red roof, light plastered walls.
In southern cities, houses are certainly equipped with a veranda, which serves as a living room and is a favorite place for families to relax.
On the east coast you can find brick houses and houses with siding, usually in dark colors. 
At the same time, a new architectural style has recently been observed in all states - modernism (modern style) with high-tech design, often such houses are environmentally friendly and autonomous.
A separate architectural phenomenon is houses built in a specific theme, for example, a Flinstones-style house in Malibu (California)
Also in the USA you can find so-called mobile homes or mobile homes that do not have a foundation and are often placed on wheels or some kind of elevation so that it is not cold on the floor. These houses are a construction kit that is assembled somewhere in a factory or in some garage, and then transported assembled to the customer. On the streets you can often see such houses being transported by car.
It doesn’t matter in what region the houses were built, in what architectural style, Americans always try to make a lawn near their house, plant a small flower garden, somehow decorate the house, especially on holidays, often even hang their flag, this cannot be taken away from them.
American style is a special chapter in architecture and design. He has a number characteristic features, which distinguish it from the rest. These features attract many, which is why American-style houses are increasingly being built in the CIS countries. They are many-sided and have a lot of advantages and disadvantages.
Let us consider in detail in the article what a typical American house is. The layout and architecture of the cottages, features of the interior decoration of the premises will be described below.
Where did it all start?
The American style, which we all know very well, originated from the old European one. Immigrants from England and Europe brought architectural trends from their countries, which took root in the United States for many years. Of course, everything has changed over time, but the origins are the projects of old European dwellings.
The architecture has such features as spaciousness, symmetry, numerous cascades of roofs, a large number of windows, columns and a minimum of relief details. The layout of American houses, photos of which are presented in the article, is characterized by the absence of a full hallway and the original arrangement of the kitchen and dining areas. The main idea of the premises is primarily convenience and comfort. Let's look at this in more detail.
Architectural features of American houses
The architecture of American cottages combines simplicity and intricacy. What are the cascades worth? gable roofs! There is often a spacious terrace around the perimeter of the house, and plenty of natural light comes in through numerous windows. By the way, shutters are also quite common.
American-style houses are usually light or pastel shades. And some elements (for example, a foundation or a chimney) are made of natural stone or sandstone. But most of all, the choice of materials from which houses are built and the appearance of buildings is influenced by the specific location of the house.
The weather is different in all states, and this also affects construction. For example, the terraces mentioned above are mandatory attributes of cottages located in the southern regions of America. In the northern regions of the country, houses with thick walls and basements are more appropriate. It follows from this that, although all the cottages belong to the American style, each has its own characteristics.
What is American planning?
As mentioned above, the American one promotes convenience and comfort. The first thing here is simplicity and freedom. Therefore, American houses are characterized by the absence of a full hallway and partitions between the dining area and living room. And this despite the fact that the American layout of the house initially assumes quite spacious premises. Not only the living room and dining room have a wide area, there is also a lot of space in the bathroom, kitchen, and children's room.
But, no matter how strange it may be, the American layout of the house only provides for one family to live in the cottage, and not several generations. Therefore, they most often have only two bedrooms: a master and a guest. And each house requires at least two exits: the front door and the backyard. Also, the entrance door can be located in other rooms on the first floor (for example, in a bedroom or office). There may be an entrance to the garage if it is attached to the house.
We must not forget about them. They are also included in the layout and are a mandatory attribute of every American-style home.
One-story cottages
American layout one-story houses amazes with its diversity. Quite often such cottages are made with a wide porch or veranda. There is no hallway in the usual sense. In the best case, the entrance will be fenced off from the rest of the premises with an arch or columns.
The dining area is usually connected to the kitchen or living room. As a rule, one-story houses have two bedrooms and one children's room. The cottages also have space for three bathrooms and several dressing rooms.
Quite often, garages are attached to the house, so there is always an entrance to the parking lot, next to which there is a place for a laundry corner (washing and drying machines, ironing board, etc.). Usually it is placed behind the walls of a built-in closet.
Two-story cottages
Buildings with two floors are compact and occupy less space, so their number predominates one-story cottages. The American layout usually looks like this.
On the ground floor there is a spacious kitchen, dining room and living room. All three rooms are often connected to each other. There is also a toilet, a storage room, and if the garage is attached to the house, then the entrance to it. There may also be an office and a guest bedroom here.
If the first floor is intended for receiving guests, then the second is completely the owner’s territory. There is a master bedroom, a children's room, bathrooms, and a dressing room. If the size of the room allows, another living room is often installed on the second floor.
Interior decoration
Wood is often used. The floor is covered with real parquet, and there are decorative beams, and the walls are finished with wooden panels.
The bathroom uses traditional materials - tiles, tiles. In the kitchen, the floor is also covered with tiles, but the walls can be very diverse. It all depends on the features of the layout. For example, if the kitchen area is not separated from the dining room and living room, then everything is done in the same style.
In most rooms the walls are painted. Friezes, moldings and panels are used as decorative elements. For the fireplace area, choose either wood or stone. The main principle of American interior design is that everything should be harmonious and not irritate the eye.
Furniture
The layout of private American houses is not complete without providing space for furniture, and it takes up quite a lot of space. After all, the furniture in American cottages is large in size; it is customary to place it almost in the center of the room. But it is, as a rule, very soft and cozy. And this proves the principle of American style - convenience and coziness.
The rest of the furniture is no less bulky. Dining rooms in American homes are often decorated with tables and chests of drawers made from natural wood. The same principle is present in offices. But in bedrooms, among the furniture there is usually a bed with a massive headboard and a pair of bedside tables. Sometimes you can find a chest of drawers, dressing table, pouf or armchair.
As a place for storage, the American house layout provides dressing rooms, which are located not only in the bedrooms, but throughout the house (for example, near the front door and in the kitchen).
Who is American suitable for?
Despite all its advantages, the described type of premises is not suitable for everyone. The layout of American-style homes involves frequent communication with family and friends. Therefore, it is recommended for people to build such cottages:
- active and sociable (large space and combined living and dining rooms encourage this);
- focused on family values (a large number of dressing rooms allow you to store expensive things, and the interior is conducive to placing frames with cute photographs and various cozy accessories);
- those who love travel (remember cozy furniture, which is nice to sit in when returning home).
If you are more inclined towards a clear division into zones and love corridors, then such a layout will definitely not bring you joy.
