Beautiful houses - 135 photos of the best design options. Non-standard ideas for designing private houses

Photo: pinterest.se Are you planning to build your own cottage, but don’t know which plan to choose and how to place all the necessary rooms? We invite you to pay attention to practical and comfortable two-story houses. This is a great way to save space on your site and use it for a garden, gazebo, playground or pool. More design and architectural ideas are appearing, and most importantly - the opportunity to equip the attic and balconies!

No. 1. Classic style

Despite the emergence of many interesting modern architectural styles, the classic remains popular because it creates the impression of solidity and emphasizes the refined taste of the home owner. The style is suitable for large houses, and its main features are:

• symmetry and clarity of forms, regular layout, proportionality and harmony;
• Decorative elements are definitely present, but they are not very pretentious. Particular attention is paid to balustrades and columns;
• Mostly natural materials are used: plaster and marble for walls, natural tiles for roofing, forged metal for fences and gratings.

Glass House (Japan)

A unique transparent house project was developed by Japanese architect Su Fujimoto. He wanted to unite his neighbors with his home . The house is filled with light and is perfect for sociable people who don’t mind being constantly visible. At night, the walls of the house are still closed, protecting sleeping residents from outside observers. Instead of rooms, the architect proposed different levels of platforms.

No. 2. Baroque

The Baroque style is pretentiousness, pomp, and abundance of decor. The direction is not so often used in modern construction - usually only its individual features :

• combination of straight and curved shapes;
• an abundance of columns, pilasters, sculptures, gilding and other decorative elements to emphasize the status of the owner of the house;
• Pastel shades are predominantly used, as well as burgundy, green, and red.

Dome House (Florida, USA)

Constant hurricanes in Florida forced Mark and Valeria Sigler to come up with a more reliable form of housing. This is how the idea of ​​a dome house was born, which can withstand devastating hurricanes and allow the family not to have to re-build it every time. The structure of the house is strong and stable, and the interior design is unusual and comfortable.

No. 3. Modern

Having appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Art Nouveau style still has many fans, because it allowed us to completely rethink the view of architecture, abandon severity in favor of ornate, fancy forms , but without losing a sense of proportion.

Distinctive features:

• an abundance of smooth curving lines, which manifests itself in the shape of windows, doors, roofs and other elements. Symmetry gives way to naturalness;
• Both traditional and new materials are used in decoration; glazed ceramic tiles, mosaics and stained glass occupy a special place;
• the facade of a house in the Art Nouveau style is often decorated with floral motifs;
• the internal layout is usually complex, with numerous turns, descents and ascents, the rooms are grouped around a hall, which is particularly large.

The direction is used in the construction of private country houses, as well as small houses for several families. There are entire cottage villages in which all buildings are made in this style. However, it is not easy to design such a house correctly, because Art Nouveau is a style of the past, it is difficult to feel it, capturing its character, so the architect has a greater risk of crossing the line and creating something that is only vaguely reminiscent of Art Nouveau.

Interesting small house projects

All projects included in the group of small houses are suitable for independent implementation. Custom plans are suitable for use in densely built-up areas. Due to the fact that one of the walls is windowless, it can be closer to or even attached to the existing building. On the front side, in addition to the entrance and garage, a boiler room and sometimes a laundry room can be installed. The living room is located on the opposite side of the building almost always when the house plan includes a garage at the ground floor level. In the house design of a modern small project, in which it is planned to build a garage under the building, it is even easier to create a sunny living room. This is especially advantageous in the case of investments in narrow areas when entering from the south.

Projects of houses with an attic

The most popular small houses are those with an attic, which make up a very large collection in the photo gallery. The main advantage of such construction is the division into day and night parts of the house in accordance with the natural arrangement of floors. Projects of small houses with an attic, due to the smaller area of ​​​​the buildings, can be implemented on small plots, compared to one-story buildings of comparable size.

Projects of a mini-house with a basement

This is a group of objects that is recommended primarily for people who plan to build a house on a slope. Such a landscape requires the selection of an appropriate full or partial basement design that makes the best use of the natural soil conditions. The design of a small house with a basement is also worth considering when building on a narrow plot. By placing the boiler room or laundry room in the basement, you gain additional space on the ground floor for development, which will certainly be useful for creating another room.

Projects of small multi-storey buildings

In the photo gallery you will find interesting designs of small two-story houses that offer residents a more spacious and comfortable interior. Thanks to the full height of the second floor, you can design wide glazing in the rooms, perfectly illuminating the entire interior space. The lack of slopes in the attic also provides greater freedom of action. Modern designs of small and narrow two-story houses will definitely appeal to those people who want to become the owner of a mini-villa.

Projects of small one-story houses

One-story houses are distinguished by functionality with a clear division of the used area. One-story buildings enchant with their natural connection with the garden, and the benefits of using the interiors will be appreciated primarily by families with children and the elderly. Expanding the attic makes it possible to increase the usable area of ​​the house.

No. 4. Minimalism

Minimalism is one of the most popular modern styles for private homes . As in the interior, minimalism involves the use of only necessary and functionally significant details, so buildings are characterized by strict forms and an almost complete absence of decor . Other features include:

• conciseness, adherence to the rules of composition, simplicity, use of only the most necessary, versatility of each element, rigor and geometricity of forms;
• preference is given to natural materials, incl. stone, wood and glass;
• no hints of pretentiousness or complex finishing elements;
• uniform color scheme, mostly light shades;
• built-in lighting around the perimeter of the house and the presence of large windows, floor-to-ceiling glazing in the living room.

Minimalism in architecture is reduced to a minimum of details, a maximum of light and space.

Why is building small houses so popular today?

According to available data, modern people are most often looking for small two-room apartments. This happens due to financial limitations. Apartments that can provide more comfort to a family actually start from 60 m². In this area, developers often create three small rooms where you can live comfortably and place all the essentials. Unfortunately, an apartment of 60 m² costs a lot of money, especially in large cities. And a square meter in your own home will always be cheaper than a high-rise apartment, so don’t think for long, but choose a project for a future private property to live in from the photos presented.

Maybe you should think about all the advantages and choose a small house? If we already have part of the land, for example, from our parents, then we can easily build a budget residential building on it, especially if you select the right building and finishing materials, decide on the structure of the roof, the number of floors, the presence of a garage and an attic. A small house is an excellent economical option for a small family, couple or single person.

No. 5. High tech

The high-tech style in its pure form is not often used in the construction of a private house - usually only some of its elements are taken, combined with a similar-spirited minimalism. The movement arose under the influence of industrial architecture, which explains its main features:

• strict straight lines, restraint and conciseness, almost complete absence of decor and the presence of protruding structural elements;
• the main color is gray, silver-metallic and similar shades. High-tech metal has a special place;
• the presence of large glazed areas;
• If in the interior hi-tech is a demonstration of advanced technologies and modern electronics, then in architecture it is the latest engineering solutions, the predominance of chromed metal, as well as glass, plastic and less often wood.

Thin House (London, UK)

This architectural masterpiece became famous due to its unusual shape. One of its sides is one meter wide , which gives the entire structure a wedge-shaped shape. It is due to the close proximity of the railway line.

The apartments in this house are trapezoidal in shape, so the furniture has to be selected individually . However, despite some inconveniences, these apartments are in great demand.

No. 6. Chalet style

There are a number of trends that were formed under the influence of the architectural features of individual countries and regions. This includes English, Scandinavian, American, German, Belgian and other styles, but we will start with the chalet style, which is also called Alpine . The trend was born in the French Alps, and initially a chalet was understood as a massive and reliable dwelling made of timber in order to hide from bad weather in the mountains. Such a house will look especially natural on hilly, mountainous and wooded areas.

Main features:

• gable flat roofs that protrude far beyond the house. In the mountains, this technique is necessary to protect the surrounding area from snow. There are cozy balconies under the overhanging roof, and the second floor is an attic. In addition, the Alpine style is characterized by the presence of large terraces without fences that extend beyond the perimeter of the house;
• natural materials are used for cladding the facade: the first floor is faced with stone, the second floor with wood, the roof is made of natural tiles or shingles;
• All details and decorative elements are of an applied and functional nature.

Houses with roofs from Ondulin

The design of a house is largely determined by its roof. Creating an original, comfortable structure is much more realistic if you use the appropriate materials. Ondulin has recently become one of the most popular and high-quality materials. Its technical characteristics allow you to create roofs that will rightfully become the decoration of your home.

Perhaps the proposed photos will become inspiration for you in creating a cozy place where you will relax and enjoy life.

No. 7. English style

This architectural style, like everything English, is distinguished by restraint and aristocracy. The houses turn out to be nice, inspire a feeling of comfort and reliability, and entire cottage communities are built in a similar direction.

Main features:

• a symmetrical rectangular foreground of the house with a slight projection of the roof and windows of the same size, doors with panels, and pilasters around the doors;
• true English style involves the use of only red brick, but today it is often combined with white brick and stone;
• a strict facade, practically devoid of decorative elements, and the main and integral decoration of an English-style house is, of course, a neatly trimmed lawn and flower beds.

Small private houses: what size to choose?

The size of a potential small house project is an important selection criterion according to which a person is looking for the best housing option. In the collection of small houses you can find buildings with a usable area of ​​up to 150 m². People are also interested in buildings up to 110 m² and plans up to 80 m². Building a very small house, for example 60 m², can also be an ideal alternative to buying a medium-sized apartment, which is why many people choose this solution. Your own home is first and foremost the improved comfort of family life, but also your own garden, personal garage or carport.

No. 8. Italian style

An Italian-style house will look good both in coastal regions and in areas with dense vegetation. There are no requirements for the size of the building - the main thing is to convey an atmosphere of comfort, peace and relaxation.

Main features:

• flat or almost flat roof, the presence of a terrace with a canopy, shutters on the windows;
• the facade is finished with brick or plaster in light shades, the roof is made of natural terracotta-colored tiles or other materials that look similar to them (flexible tiles and metal tiles);
• decorative elements have a functional meaning. For example, brackets that support the roof. The balconies and terraces feature landscaping, attractive furniture and lamps.

Music Building (Huainan, China)

The Piano House is like two musical instruments - a grand piano and a violin. The transparent violin contains an elevator, and the grand piano contains an exhibition complex . The building attracts tourists and city residents to an area that is just developing and needs additional attention. At night, the silhouette of the house is visible as a neon outline of instruments.

No. 9. Russian style

Beautiful log cabins with an abundance of decorative carved elements, like those once owned by wealthy merchants, emphasize the status of the owner and his pride in his roots and origins. A house in a traditional Russian style is an expensive pleasure, but, on the other hand, such a house gives a feeling of complete security and comfort.

Character traits:

• To build a house, a wooden frame is used, but today, to reduce the cost of construction, it is often replaced with a block house - it looks the same in appearance, but is much simpler to install. The base can be made of stone or brick, but here you can be guided by regional characteristics, because different parts of the country have formed their own traditions in home improvement;
• The structural elements of the house also play a decorative role, because they are made with relief or through carvings. It is present on shutters, platbands, roof overhangs, fences;
• Each house in the Russian style is unique, no two are alike.

Examples of modern styles of houses and cottages

In total, there are more than 40 styles in its pure form for building a country house. Added to this number is a large number of mixed architectural movements. The choice of a specific style often depends on the size of the home.

For example, if you build a small home with ambitious marble columns at the entrance or high arched windows, it will create disharmony. All elements must be proportional and visually balanced. To understand what a home should be like, let’s consider several popular style options.

Provence

Cottages or private houses in the Provence style have a unique harmony of charm, love for everything traditional, conservative and rural simplicity. Inside, the wooden beams are completely exposed. They are painted, varnished or whitewashed.

Interior of a wooden house in Provence style - beams, white painted ceiling and wall surfaces Source arxip.com

Exterior design may vary, but it always evokes quiet rural life. Some houses are simply brick or stone without finishing. Others are plastered, painted in light colors and decorated with contrasting elements of the protruding frame. The following solutions are very popular:

• white walls and blue frame beams and window shutters;
• beige stonework and light brown roofing.

A whitewashed or white-painted house in the Provence style Source michaelzingraf.com
Characteristic features of the exteriors of houses in Provence:

• Mandatory presence of windows with projections directly from the roofs (bay windows). There are also fancy options where such a window occupies part of the facade wall and part of the roof along the vertical plane.
• Chimneys of fireplaces or stoves run along the side external walls.
• The shape of door and window openings is simple straight or arched.
• A small terrace, balcony or veranda is allowed.

When building houses in the Provence style, only natural building materials must be used. This is wood, stone, clay, ceramic tiles, whitewash. The house must have neat garden paths paved. Everything is decorated with a large number of baskets and pots with fresh flowers.

The simplicity of the stonework peeking out from under the plaster, high chimneys, bay windows - classic Provence Source domikarkas.ru

Classical

The classic style of architecture of a country house or cottage can also be called European. Strictness of form, lack of frills in decor, simplicity and functionality are the main things that distinguish this solution from others.

Style features:

• The shape of the building is square, rectangular.
• Decor - complex bay windows of the attic floors, inserts and stones, lanterns or lamps.
• The roof can be either 2 or 4 pitched.
• Number of floors - from 1 to 3-4 floors (also ground floor).
• Roofing material – metal tiles.
• The shape of windows and doorways is straight or arched.
• The window size is average.
• The facade finishing material is facing brick, plaster.

The cladding of the ground floor is laid out with stone, the rest of the house is plastered or painted.

A house in a classic style has strict straight and orderly lines, simple designs, neutral tones and a minimum of decor. Source avk-project.com

See also: Catalog of projects of houses and cottages presented at the exhibition “Low-Rise Country”.

Modern

The style of the exterior of country houses arose at the junction of times - the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. He is still loved by those who are accustomed to adhering to a sense of proportion in everything. Projects for such dwellings may already allow ornate decor or contours of facade elements to dilute strict lines.

The facade of the house is made with interesting three-level smooth curves, complemented by an interesting edging - white stucco. Source fotostrana.ru

Features in detail:

• Suitable for large and small families.
• Creative people will like it.
• Filling the design with smooth lines, curves, and rounded corners, where possible, is encouraged here.
• The contrast of shades is complemented by a third color. It focuses attention on a specific area.
• Instead of symmetry, a tendency towards naturalness is used.
• Finishing materials – brick, stone, tiles (glazed ceramics), plaster, paint, stained glass and mosaics.
• Decor – stucco with plant and animal ornaments, forged metal elements.
• Complex internal layout - grouping of rooms around a large hall.

Rounding is used in arched structures of windows and doorways. Grace finds itself in the design of barriers for balconies, steps, and stairs. The columns of the terraces or the front entrance can be asymmetrical in shape with smooth curves. An interesting approach to roofing - some parts of the house have a dome-shaped roof, where its edges hang directly onto the walls.

The house is designed with a lot of smoothly curved surfaces Source moreremonta.info

The color scheme of houses or cottages in the Art Nouveau style is filled with calm, but always contrasting shades. The following combinations are popular now:

• dark brown, muted yellow and brown with a hint of burgundy;
• red brick, white plaster and bluish stucco on a light background;
• completely monochromatic light facade and massive dark roof;
• a play of all shades of brown - from light to dark, complemented by gold-tinted glass;
• sand facade, cream foundation and decorative framing of arched passages, door frames, windows.

The result is an ideal combination of brevity, geometric shapes and fancy solutions (turrets, round windows, graceful steps).

Chalet

The style of a country house - chalet - is characterized by a combination of stonework, brick and wooden elements. The name comes from the French Alps. The first “chalets” were small buildings that provided short shelter from the winter cold in the mountains. Subsequently, they became typical multi-level village houses, which are installed on an uneven mountainous surface.

A building on a stone foundation with a completely wooden second floor Source uutvdome.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and construction of turnkey country houses.

Main differences:

• Fits well into hilly, mountainous and wooded landscapes.
• The lower part is made of stone, the upper part is made of wood or trimmed with solid wood.
• The roof is always gable with a canopy hanging strongly in front. This helps protect your home from snow storms.
• The roof covering is tiles made from natural materials or shingles made from heavy-duty tree species (larch, cedar).
• Wall decoration - facing with wild stone, brick or rough whitewash.
• The presence of terraces and balconies on supports. Everything is made from wood.
• Some projects include large panoramic windows, others have small ones with shutters, typical for a village home.
• Profiles of double-glazed windows are made of wood only.
• Number of storeys – 2 and less often 3-storey houses and cottages.

Style has its own directions. They were formed under the influence of ethnicity, culture, and climate of different Western countries. The following chalet options are available:

• Scandinavian;
• Belgian;
• German;
• English;
• American.

Modern design of a multi-level house in the German chalet style, typical for mountainous and hilly areas Source avatars.mds.yandex.net
The second name, which summarizes all the mentioned branches, is Alpine style. Everything here is so practical that even the decor is practical. For example, the crossbars of balcony barriers are often used for hanging flower pots on them in the warm season. Wooden profiles and beams - for hanging street lamps on them, and kitchen utensils indoors.

Russian architectural style

A cottage or private country house in the Russian style must be built from strong logs. If such a solution turns out to be too expensive, then new generation technologies are used - block houses. Thanks to this solution, the house is also built from wood, but with the imitation of a full-fledged log house.

The house can be completely wooden. But there are options when the ground floor is made of stone or brick. Russians have long had large families. The lower tier always housed the so-called public rooms - for example, a large kitchen. The lower tier is the basement or first floor, depending on the regional characteristics of the soil and climate.

Wood is also usually used as decor. These are various threaded elements - pillars, barriers, facade balusters (for steps, balconies, terraces). Wooden shutters are always decorated with typical carvings, repeating Russian ornaments, plant, animal or fairy-tale patterns.

A log house with a spacious terrace, extended from the facade into the distance, decorated with wood carvings, pillars and shutters Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Interestingly, the carving can be either voluminous, relief, or through. The last option from a distance strongly resembles lace. Such decorating techniques are used to decorate cornices, brackets or roof overhangs, fences, and interfloor overhangs. No two houses are alike. Every Russian home is unique.

Roman style

Monastic or fortress styles of country houses over time transformed into a solid and massive Romanesque style. Here you can easily discern the fusion of several directions - the classics of the Renaissance, Gothic and the fortified inaccessibility of the chateau.

House-palace with Gothic elements when arranging the roof. The chateau style is given away by the castle tower and chimneys Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Features of the Romanesque concept:

• Everything is made of rough stones.
• The exterior decoration is modest, without decoration. Everything resembles a fortress or a fort.
• Architectural forms tend towards rigor without frills.
• The walls and roof are massive.
• The window openings are narrow.
• The steps are recessed under the arches and run between the pillars.
• Hexagonal, round, and other roof options are covered with tiles.
• The shades of the façade are always close to natural.

Often such houses are decorated with entwined ivy, interesting balusters of balconies, and a few stone statues. All outbuildings must be attached to the house.

No. 10. Scandinavian style

The Scandinavian style in the harsh domestic climate is of particular interest. Such houses are based on functionality, natural materials, and the absence of bright, pretentious details, because the main thing is to maintain warmth inside the building and repel the harsh elements.

Main features:

• simplicity and conciseness, the main thing is that the house gives a feeling of comfort and coziness. Scandinavian houses are rarely large - they are compact, have one or two floors;
• the ground floor and basement are often missing, but you can’t do without an open terrace or a spacious porch;
• the roof is flat or gable, made of natural tiles or their artificial substitutes, the walls are finished with wood, light shades are usually used, but dark red color is also suitable. A modern Scandinavian-style house requires large window openings, because it should be very light inside.

What to consider when planning a house: the main characteristics of a beautiful structure

The beauty of the outside of the house depends on compliance with many principles:

• The uniqueness of the project. The appearance must be individual. The more interesting the facade, the better it will be to stand out from the background of standard construction projects: classic houses.
• Despite the attractive and rich appearance, the interior space should have enough natural light. Therefore, the windows in such houses are made of massive frames with large glass.
• The shape of the building on all sides must correspond to a single stylistic concept. It is advisable to decorate everything with building materials from one batch. Otherwise, differences in shades will be visible.
• Raw materials must be of good quality. It is important that it can be used for as long as possible. Preparatory work, planning and general construction are also important to carry out correctly.

A beautiful house, like any other residential structure, requires care when choosing a site and analyzing suitable building materials. After all, if you ignore this factor, soon all the external beauty of the building may collapse. This mainly happens when the properties of the soil and the depth of groundwater are not taken into account.

A beautiful mansion for a large family with a tiled roof Source 1zoom.ru Multifunctional residential cottage with a swimming pool Source ustaliy.ru

Two-story residential building with large gables Source in.pinterest.com

No. 11. Half-timbered

During the Middle Ages, half-timbered houses were built throughout almost all of Europe, but they were especially popular in Bavaria. Their main feature is that the frame of the house is not hidden, but is put on public display . It is made of powerful wooden beams, the space between which was once filled with a mixture of clay and reeds, plastered and painted. The frame beams create a unique pattern and can be laid out in the form of geometric shapes, flowers, crosses, etc. Today the technology has received some modern features, but the main characteristics remain unchanged:

• the basis and decoration of the house is a wooden frame;
• The facade is made in light shades, the finishing material is plaster, which goes well with wood and stone. The latter is often used for cladding the base;
• the roof is made of tiles, shingles or their imitation;
• modern half-timbered houses have large panoramic windows, but today they are used in almost all styles, because multi-chamber double-glazed windows do not allow heat to freely escape to the street, not like centuries ago.

Selection of materials for construction

When choosing a material for building a house, take into account the price, labor costs, thermal insulation and costs for further finishing. Cold walls will cost too much in winter if you don’t take care of insulation, unlike warm ones. Smooth modern materials are easier to paint or sheathe the outside - and this is also a saving.

Traditional brick can last over 100 years, is not afraid of heat and frost, and the installation technology has been worked out to the smallest detail. But it requires a massive foundation due to its weight, and masonry will require time and investment. It is much easier and faster to work with ceramic blocks, but they are expensive and more fragile.

Aerated concrete and expanded clay concrete blocks are a lightweight, practical and warm material with a porous structure and high fire resistance. But they have low bending strength and can crack over time. The closest alternative is more expensive, but durable, load-resistant wood concrete with high insulating properties.

Log houses are comfortable, environmentally friendly, always spectacular and cozy. But it is difficult to work with natural wood; you need to wait for it to shrink and protect it from moisture and pests. Construction from timber is easier and faster, but the main disadvantages still remain.

Various technologies of frame houses, houses made of SIP panels and other prefabricated structures have proven themselves well. It's easy, quick and practical, but can be challenging to customize. Another option for a two-story house is a combined technology: for example, a wooden top on a stone base.

Houses in a modern style: beautiful projects (60 photos)

No. 12. European style

Domestic architects sometimes operate with such a concept as European style. It has absorbed the basic features of the house-building features of a number of European countries, but does not have any specific features that make it possible to determine a clear affiliation with any region. The result is a conservative, strict style, not devoid of decor.

Main features:

• regular geometric shapes, a predominance of rectangular and square shapes, but there is a place for unpretentious decor (stone inserts, beautiful lamps, complicated bay windows);
• two- or four-pitched roof made of natural or metal tiles;
• small or medium-sized square or arched windows;
• The facade is made of plaster, the base and windows can be decorated with stone.

Loft style in architecture

The birthplace of non-standard trends in the interior and exterior design of houses is the USA. Initially, these were factories, warehouses, factories, converted into residential premises. Loft objects have an industrial, authentic look.

Conceptual features of the architectural style:

• Dirty gray, red-brown color scheme and metallic shades.
• Strict lines and simplicity of geometric shapes with minimal decoration.
• Fragments of industrial structures in the form of metal stairs, factory pipes, ventilation systems.
• Unusual combinations of aged red brick and panoramic glazing, raw or roughly plastered concrete and ferrous metal for a residential building.

Loft-style houses are preferred by creative individuals with an unconventional approach to life. Architectural objects that claim to belong to the Loft are distinguished by extraordinary exteriors that refer to the industrial past.

No. 13. American style

The American style was formed on the basis of the European one, but acquired special and unique features. It is based on the desire of the settlers to demonstrate the wealth of the house, so the building turns into a whole complex with a complex roof shape . An American house is traditionally made using frame technology, but in the domestic space the technology has been slightly modified, giving preference to walls made of brick and foam block. Today this style is especially popular, and entire villages are being built with such houses.

Main features:

• numerous cascades of roofs, combined under one roof of premises with different functional purposes. The garage is always built-in or attached, the windows are large, often with shutters, the terraces are spacious, often L-shaped and encircle the house;
• materials for facade cladding - light plaster, stone, wood;
• Columns that support the canopy over the terrace act as decorative elements. The style requires a minimum of decor, but does not look simple or primitive, since large terraces, complex roofs and natural materials are already decoration;
• Usually there is no ground floor or basement.

Layout options for a two-story house

The classic layout of a two-story house involves placing all utility rooms on the ground floor and residential premises on the second. For example, below there is an entrance hall, living room, kitchen and dining room, and above there are bedrooms, a nursery and an office.

The boiler room, storage room and technical rooms are also moved downstairs. It is more convenient to place bathrooms on two floors at once: for example, below is a guest room with a shower, and above is a master floor with a bathtub. If a garage or sauna is attached to the house, they are also immediately included in the overall plan.

Scandinavian style house: beautiful projects (90+ photos)

No. 14. Prairie style, or Wright style

The style is named after the American architect F.L. Wright, who is called one of the most controversial. He has a lot of discoveries and bold decisions to his name; he believed that a house should not have complex details, because they would distract from nature, and the building should complement the environment. The simplicity of lines that characterized the houses he built became a feature of the new style. Due to the predominance of horizontal lines and surfaces, the direction received a second name - prairie style .

Main features:

• flat and hipped roofs with wide overhangs, united by a common horizontal window element;
• the house dissolves as much as possible into the landscape, the boundaries between indoors and outdoors are erased, which is achieved not only by the predominance of horizontal surfaces, but also due to massive glazing;
• The facade is made of brick, wood, stone, it is possible to use wooden elements. The decor is minimal.

Residential complex Zaha Hadid (New York)

In Manhattan, not far from the famous High Line Park, located on a forgotten railroad , an unusual building has risen. Its design began during the life of the famous architect Zaha Hadid. The building itself is designed in the recognizable style of Zaha: it fits organically into the local landscape, echoes the geometry of New York streets and reflects the identity of the area.

The architect's bureau was engaged not only in the development of the facade, but also in the creation of interior interiors. The facade is finished taking into account the industrial past of the quarter. There are 39 apartments on 11 floors with three-meter ceilings and individual interiors.

Residents of the complex have access to a spa center, an indoor swimming pool, an entertainment complex with a cinema and a sculpture garden.

No. 15. Castle style (medieval style)

Looking ahead, we note that this style is far from the most popular today. Some call it too pretentious, others call it unreasonably expensive. It is suitable mainly for large houses . As a compromise, you can use only individual style elements. The architects, by the way, gave the direction another name - Disney style.

Main features:

• massiveness and high walls. The feeling of monumentality is achieved through the intricate asymmetrical composition of the facade, large forms and the absence of architectural frills. The presence of balconies, terraces, turrets is welcome;
• complex roof shape, because often the house is large and consists of several parts;
• the façade is faced with stone, brick, or less often with plaster. To reduce the cost of construction, artificial materials that closely imitate natural ones are used;
• windows are arched or rectangular, doors can be decorated with forging or stained glass.

Casa Mila (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

In Spanish, the name of the house is Casa Mila, and it is the first building of the 20th century to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Due to the heaviness and unusualness of the facade, the house was nicknamed a quarry and at first the local residents did not like it. However, it soon became a local landmark, which remained in the photos of all tourists and guests of the city.

The engineering solutions of the architect Gaudi made it possible to abandon the air conditioning system due to the natural ventilation of the house . The house has no load-bearing walls, so residents can change the design of their homes by moving interior partitions.

No. 16. Gothic style

Gothic in the European architectural tradition replaced the castle style, so it is not surprising that these two styles have much in common. Monasteries, cathedrals and palaces were built throughout Europe in the Gothic style. The Gothic style in its pure form is not for a private home, but if you really like the direction, then you can use some of its elements , and only if the house is large enough.

Main features:

• the predominance of vertical lines and sharp elements - such houses seem to stretch upward;
• arches and windows have pointed tops;
• the facade is decorated with towers, columns, numerous sculptures, bas-reliefs, carved details and large stained glass windows.

Residential complex Reversible-Destiny Lofts (Tokyo, Japan)

This innovative complex called “Attics of Irreversible Fate” will not leave any of its residents alone. Adventures will await them at every step: multi-colored walls, floors at different levels, walls that are convex or concave , low attic ceilings or doors, sockets in unexpected places.

However, it is precisely these surprises and overcoming them that are the key to a long life, decided the architect Shusaku Arakawa and the poet Madeleine Jeans. They promoted their idea of ​​eternal youth both in their works and in their joint complex. An interesting fact is that the residents of this house actually feel better and more energetic.

No. 17. Renaissance

Architecture in the Renaissance style is moderation in everything: simplicity and laconism of lines, together with thoughtful, unpretentious decor, allows you to create cozy, well-made houses.

Main features:

• clarity of shapes, symmetry in the arrangement of windows, the presence of numerous superstructures and columns supporting the roof or balcony of the second floor. Preference is given to rectangular and semicircular shapes;
• presence of a patio;
• finishing is done in light colors of plaster and stone.

Victorian style in architecture

The style originated between 1830 and 1910 during the reign of Queen Victoria. Key features: “dollhouse” effect, thoughtful finishing, steep mansard roof covered with tiles, asymmetrical shape, presence of a porch, bright rich colors, balconies with columns, majestic towers and turrets, decorative railings.

Victorian houses are typically two-storey compact buildings with intricate decoration and multi-stage pitched roofs, often decorated with spiers. The stylistic movement originated in Great Britain and spread not only within the country, but also to the English colonies. Houses in this architectural style are distinguished by an asymmetrical facade. For finishing within the stylistic direction, plaster, siding, and brick are used.

No. 18. East style

The fashion for the oriental has affected not only the kitchen - often cottage villages today decorate houses, when looking at which anyone will definitely guess - this is an oriental style. Its main features:

• roof with slopes curved upward. In the east, they believe that this form of roofing helps protect the house from evil spirits;
• use of natural materials, including wood and stone;
• the presence of a large terrace along the contour of the house;
• well-maintained local area.

House of Mirrors (Flint, USA)

This house has become a monument to home comfort, but is not itself a home. The house is also called “Mark's House” - the House of Mark, who, according to legend, lost his home together with his family during the economic crisis. In memory of those times, London architects built this building, which weighs about two tons, and on its floor are photographs of supporters of the initiative and those who supported it financially.

No. 19. Art Deco

Art Deco combines elements of Art Nouveau, Empire style, as well as Egyptian and African motifs. The result is a unique, slightly pretentious and recognizable style.

Main features:

• a combination of straight, strict lines with broken and rounded ones, the use of geometric shapes in the design of the facade;
• the presence of ethnic patterns, arches, spiers;
• pastel natural shades;
• natural materials, incl. wood, stone, brick, ceramics, metal, glass.