Jun. 2, 2006 - Building Trends

• One-fourth of new homes have at least three bathrooms.
• Ceilings are at least 9 to 10 feet on the first floor and upscale houses have a standard ceiling height of 10 to 12 feet on the first floor and 9 feet on the second floor.
• Front doors are single and wider.
• The living room in homes with less than 3,000 square feet are being replaced by a room known as a den, parlor, retreat, library or music room. In homes larger than 3,000 square feet, living rooms are remaining.
• Stairs are moving from the front of the house to the middle or the rear.
• Master baths have shower stalls and a compartmentalized toilet. Mid-to-upscale homes have multiple shower heads and a tub. Upscale homes will continue to have whirlpool tubs even though nobody ever actually uses them.
• Yards are shrinking. The American yard is expected to decline to 7,000 square feet from today’s 9,000 square feet in the next few years.