Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

In recent years, the tiny home concept has been taking off as an option for vacation houses or permanent living spaces for the adventurous minimalist, but in many neighborhoods throughout the greater Cincinnati region, small homes or condos are an everyday way of life. First time home buyers often find that small homes are a good initial investment. There are also certain design styles of small homes that have withstood the test of time such as craftsman bungalows, cottages, cabins, ranch, and prairie style homes that have unique appeal to buyers. Luckily there are many tricks and techniques that can be included in your home's interior design that greatly help a small space feel larger. There are several decoration ideas, such as hanging curtains higher or using the same color in several rooms, but here we'll focus on remodeling, interior design and architectural tips that you can include in your home improvement projects.

Note: This post was originally written in November, 2012. It has been re-written with new images to improve relevance.

Family rooms have evolved over the years. The concept was first introduced in the 40's, but didn't really come into vogue until dens were included in home designs along with the wider-spread ownership of television sets which homeowners didn't want in their formal sitting rooms. In the 1990s, family rooms were included in many new home designs as a "great room" that combined the kitchen, dining room and family room as one open space- a home design style that's still being used in newly built homes. Today's family rooms are designed according to the lifestyle needs of modern homeowners. A family room can be located in a central area of a house but also on a second story or basement, ideal for homes in which there is limited space for a family room on the main floor. Homeowners are also building home additions to provide space for new dens or family rooms. Often a family room addition will be built off a kitchen to create an open and functional space for the family and guests.