In the past, home design plans were developed by architects and engineers with large budgets. With these large budgets, home designers are able to add many architectural elements that would otherwise be impossible to add. Nowadays, however, the trend in home design plans and construction is towards small house designs. Small house designs are also more affordable than ever. This is because new and efficient technology allows new ways to cut down costs and reduce costs overall.
House design trends typically center around the size and layout of houses. There are now so many different sizes of houses that an architect can't possibly create them all. As a result, more and smaller houses are being designed. These smaller houses often lack the open floor plans common to houses in the past. However, open floor plans are becoming more common as the focus of home design changes towards smaller, more intimate homes.
Open floor plans are usually composed of several linked rooms that connect with one another in some manner. They are built on levels and therefore, open plan living spaces are rare in houses these days. Typically, there is a main living area where the family members gather to watch television, chat on the telephone, eat meals or pay bills. In some cases, there may also be a family room or recreation room included within the home.
When it comes to home designs, the most common use for space is on the main floor. Living rooms and dining rooms are located on lower levels, but homes are still commonly built with open floor plans. One reason for this is that natural light is easier to manage throughout the house if it isn't obstructed. Since natural light is more prominent in newer homes, homeowners must come up with creative ways to allow it through the windows and doors to every room in the house.
The use of space is also lessened by the use of windows on the higher floors of most houses. Many older houses use large windows on the top floors of their dwellings. In some cases, they are necessary to allow natural light into the house. However, in many new homes, designers have been less reliant on the use of windows. Instead, they opt for skylights or "canopies" that bring in indirect natural lighting. These roofs are very attractive and can create an atmosphere that is warm and comfortable.
The kitchen is another area that has changed little from the early 20th century. Most modern homes have a stove and refrigerator on the first floor. In some cases, upper level kitchens were constructed to replace the older single-level kitchen. Even in the early 20th century, many homes had at least one large kitchen space that was separated from the dining room by a raised stage or door.
Today's houses generally have a combination of a formal living room and a formal kitchen on the upper floor. Since the kitchen and recreation room are typically separate from each other, the kitchen usually sits on the bottom floor. However, many builders are starting to use the attic as a kitchen in many new homes. The end result is that homeowners can enjoy the beauty of both the kitchen and the recreation room in the same room.