How American private houses differ from Russian ones

Let’s start with the construction process. The technology adopted in the USA involves the construction of a frame from wooden frames, on which sheets of OSB or plywood are attached. Between them is a heater. The walls are hollow, communication is easy. In addition, such lightweight walls do not need a solid foundation, the construction process is simpler and cheaper. Redevelopment is also easy – no reinforced concrete that will have to be hammered. However, such an American house is more expensive to operate – it is more difficult to cool it in the summer and heat it in the winter than a capital one made of cinder block or brick.

Most likely, when you enter a typical American house, you will be greeted by this staircase leading to the second floor, which is more private, where the bedrooms are traditionally located. A closed corridor or a separate hall, where it is customary to take off your shoes and leave your outerwear, in American homes most often simply does not exist.

Kitchens in American homes are usually open, roomy, often with a cooking island. It is noteworthy that ready-made houses can be sold unfurnished in other rooms, but always with a built-in kitchen unit and appliances, which are not accepted to take with you when you move..

Kitchen – dining room – living room in general usually represent one room, which occupies almost the entire first floor. An American woman, choosing a house, will most likely say right away – I want to cook and look after the children or communicate with guests. Such an open plan is now found more and more often in Russia, but it is far from so popular..

A garage for two or three cars, which often becomes part of the ground floor and has a separate entrance directly to the house, is another difference of the American home. There are usually at least two cars in a family, because a hostess living in the suburbs also needs to get to work on something, take the child to a training session or to a kindergarten.

Drying machines are rare in Russian homes, as is a separate laundry room. In American houses, for these two units, a special pantry is usually allocated, hiding the equipment from guests. Often, a laundry room with a dryer is located on the second floor, near the bedrooms, or in the basement. A washing machine in the kitchen or bathroom, which is often found in small Russian houses, will surprise an American..

Residential basement. For the average Russian, a basement is a cellar where potatoes and pickles are stored, as well as supplies for the winter. For an American, the basement often becomes a full-fledged additional floor. Here you can find a home theater, a guest room with another small kitchen, a “man’s den” of the owner of the house, a bar, a games room..

Master bathroom. In an American home, there are usually as many bathrooms as there are bedrooms. Or even more – a separate bathroom can be located on the ground floor for guests. Of course, it is not necessary that the bathroom be connected to the living room like this, as in the photo, but it must adjoin the master bedroom..

As for the children’s rooms, there are no significant differences in size and design. However, in the United States, it is customary for each child to have a separate room. Therefore, adding to the family often becomes the reason for moving to a more spacious house or redevelopment. Yes, and children’s bedrooms usually have their own private bathroom, even if one for two.

Leaving guests on the couch in the living room overnight is not an American tradition. A spacious home usually has a separate guest bedroom with everything you need, albeit not very large, but functional, great for friends and family.

Built-in wardrobes and walk-in closets. Another attribute of a typical American home. Free-standing wardrobes did not take root in this country, a lot of space for clothes and shoes is required, therefore a dressing room is often adjacent to the master bedroom, and in the other rooms there are closets built into the walls for a lot of things.

Barbecue area. An American house usually has two courtyards – in front of the house and a back one, hidden from the eyes of passers-by and neighbors. It is in the backyard, even a small one, that there will be a barbecue area – a typical pastime for an American family on warm summer evenings..

And finally – in the USA a house is rarely bought by a family with the thought – “This is where my children will live.” Mortgages are available, the country is large, there may be many reasons for moving. Therefore, the attitude towards houses and apartments is somewhat different – not for centuries, but while it is convenient for me and my family, in ten years a lot can change. In addition, let us clarify that the above differences relate to traditions that have developed historically. Modern Russian mansions are often even larger than American ones and have similar characteristics..