Today's floor plans reflect dimensions of modern life
BY MIKE FOLEY • GANNETT NEWS SERVICE • May 11, 2008
In the not-too-distant past, two-story homes had the master bedroom on the second floor along with the other bedrooms.
The master bedroom was usually not much larger than others and most often could be distinguished only by the attached bathroom, or the parents inhabiting the space.
Not anymore.
Today, master bedrooms are in on the ground floor of home design. They are also bigger than ever, often with sitting areas, spacious walk-in closets or dressing rooms and even efficiency kitchens.
And by the way, it's not a "master bedroom" anymore -- it's a "master suite."
In the developing world of home design, deciphering the buying public's changing wants and needs has become a science.
Most often, consumers want more, and they're willing to pay for it, says Heather McGowen, communications director for Donald A. Gardner Architects in Greenville, S.C. That's one reason the average size of homes nationwide has grown over the years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1970, the average newly constructed home was 1,400 square feet. In 1990, that increased to 2,080 square feet and by 2005, the average size jumped again, to 2,434 square feet. The decline of the housing market, which began in November 2005, may cause average square-footage numbers to recede when new census numbers are announced in 2010.
The Northeast has the largest average size of new homes, followed by the South, the West and the Midwest, the census shows.
The one overlying trend is that everything is bigger -- from closets, to great rooms, to kitchens and more. But one of the most-tossed-about terms these days for buyers, real estate agents and designers alike is "master on main."
"I don't know of a new house we're selling that doesn't have a master on main, or even more common, a master and another bedroom on the main floor," says Kirby Britt, a Realtor with Keller Williams in Greenville. "They use that second bedroom as a second bedroom, an office or a guest room."
To add utility, the spare bedroom is usually accompanied by a full bath.
Even more impressive -- and trendy -- is the idea of making these masters on main larger than ever and yet still packed with features. McGowen says the suites often have refrigerators, a coffeemaker, sitting areas and oversize bathrooms with huge shower rooms, a large tub and giant walk-in closets.
When people aren't in their bedrooms, it seems like they want to be in their kitchens or outside. Keith Smith, owner of Keith Smith Builders in Greenville, says the new features he's finding people want in their homes are screened porches, grilling decks and of course, monster master suites.
Formal living rooms are rapidly going the way of the dinosaurs, and in their place are rooms that no one knows exactly what to call. Some choices are "hearth rooms," "keeping rooms," "morning rooms" or "family rooms." Call it what you will, Smith says people want them for everyday life and for entertaining.
"Keeping rooms are what people want now," he says. "We're putting fireplaces in those. And a lot of flat screens over the mantle."
The rooms are used as places to talk, for children to do homework while parents cook, or as spillover locations for parties when the kitchen gets too crowded.
BY MIKE FOLEY • GANNETT NEWS SERVICE • May 11, 2008
In the not-too-distant past, two-story homes had the master bedroom on the second floor along with the other bedrooms.
The master bedroom was usually not much larger than others and most often could be distinguished only by the attached bathroom, or the parents inhabiting the space.
Not anymore.
Today, master bedrooms are in on the ground floor of home design. They are also bigger than ever, often with sitting areas, spacious walk-in closets or dressing rooms and even efficiency kitchens.
And by the way, it's not a "master bedroom" anymore -- it's a "master suite."
In the developing world of home design, deciphering the buying public's changing wants and needs has become a science.
Most often, consumers want more, and they're willing to pay for it, says Heather McGowen, communications director for Donald A. Gardner Architects in Greenville, S.C. That's one reason the average size of homes nationwide has grown over the years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1970, the average newly constructed home was 1,400 square feet. In 1990, that increased to 2,080 square feet and by 2005, the average size jumped again, to 2,434 square feet. The decline of the housing market, which began in November 2005, may cause average square-footage numbers to recede when new census numbers are announced in 2010.
The Northeast has the largest average size of new homes, followed by the South, the West and the Midwest, the census shows.
The one overlying trend is that everything is bigger -- from closets, to great rooms, to kitchens and more. But one of the most-tossed-about terms these days for buyers, real estate agents and designers alike is "master on main."
"I don't know of a new house we're selling that doesn't have a master on main, or even more common, a master and another bedroom on the main floor," says Kirby Britt, a Realtor with Keller Williams in Greenville. "They use that second bedroom as a second bedroom, an office or a guest room."
To add utility, the spare bedroom is usually accompanied by a full bath.
Even more impressive -- and trendy -- is the idea of making these masters on main larger than ever and yet still packed with features. McGowen says the suites often have refrigerators, a coffeemaker, sitting areas and oversize bathrooms with huge shower rooms, a large tub and giant walk-in closets.
When people aren't in their bedrooms, it seems like they want to be in their kitchens or outside. Keith Smith, owner of Keith Smith Builders in Greenville, says the new features he's finding people want in their homes are screened porches, grilling decks and of course, monster master suites.
Formal living rooms are rapidly going the way of the dinosaurs, and in their place are rooms that no one knows exactly what to call. Some choices are "hearth rooms," "keeping rooms," "morning rooms" or "family rooms." Call it what you will, Smith says people want them for everyday life and for entertaining.
"Keeping rooms are what people want now," he says. "We're putting fireplaces in those. And a lot of flat screens over the mantle."
The rooms are used as places to talk, for children to do homework while parents cook, or as spillover locations for parties when the kitchen gets too crowded.
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