DESIGN OF THE TIMES

Katherine Salant, nationally syndicated columnist and author of The Brand-New House Book, says houses designed with both a master and second bedroom on the first floor have become the most popular because they appeal to all age groups. Young couples use the second bedroom as a nursery. Middle-age couples use it to keep aging parents close by, and older couples’ differing sleep patterns may make sharing a bedroom difficult, she says. Here are other home design trends, according to Salant:

• The newest variation on the home office is a completely separate office space, connected to the house by a hallway or a breezeway.
• Kitchens are getting smaller but connected to much larger dining areas, often with a center island where family members can sit for an informal meal.
• Oversized family rooms with high ceilings are giving way to smaller, cozier rooms with lower ceilings.
• Home theaters have lost some appeal because people don’t want to watch television in a separate area of the home. TV viewing is a more informal activity that people engage in while they’re doing other things like cooking or getting ready for work.

Source: The Washington Post, Katherine Salant (10/18/2008)
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