European vs. American Home Design– Analyzing Decorating Receptivity & Functionality

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Looking for the best American & European designs to give your home a classic touch?

Many features make British homes and American homes different from each other. However, knowing and understanding the key differences is still a matter of concern for designers. It is not just a fun concern, but a long-standing question affecting every decor enthusiast’s mind for millennia. However, knowing the differences between British and American Homes is very much practical one too, especially for those trying to infuse their house designs with the classic across-the-pond aspect.

Wondering About The Basic Dissimilarities Between European & American Home Design Styles? Read On Below To Learn The Key Differences In Interior Decors, Lifestyles, And Influences? 

Whether you are living in the United States or Europe, the key aesthetical differences between homes on both continents can be easily noticed from any travel show or house-flipping TV programs. And perhaps, just one trip from Europe to the US or vice versa and you can understand the major variances in structural designs, lifestyles, decors, appliance placements, and everything else as well. In simple terms, home designs in both continents have almost nothing in common.

There is no denying the fact that the United States is majorly crowded with European migrated individuals. Also, their taste and deliberations towards home décor, structural designs, and architecture styles have drastically changed over the centuries. But even today when you visit a European migrant’s house in the US, you will still get the feel and vibe of being in Europe. It is because they are still true to their roots of home interior designing.

Major Aspects That Differentiate European Homes & American Designs

Let’s start with the very basic difference:

Property Size

Well, the most basic aspect that singles out An American home from a British building is the property size. American homes are very much larger and bigger than their British counterparts and it applies to all types of properties– from out-of-town family homes to urban condos.

On the other hand, European homes are smaller in size, as they are easier to maintain. Also, American homes are designed with multiple bedrooms, and of course, a large yard, while European houses are limited to one or a maximum of two bedrooms and only one bathroom.

Materials Used

Another key difference between American and European homes is the materials used for the construction of the buildings. Americans always prefer shingle roofs and brick walls, while European homes are mostly made of stone walls and wood roofs for better insulation.

While granite worktops are found in both American and European kitchens, their preferences on kitchen and bathroom flooring again make them stand apart. European prefer stones or marble flooring while Americans opt for tiled floors. However, natural wooden flooring is a common choice for both continents for the rest of their home.

Way Of Living

How communities and buildings are planned and designed also makes a big difference between European and American properties. While most Americans prefer inward-looking or isolated living, Europeans focus more on community lifestyle. Americans are majorly isolationist and prefer living in gated communities.

On the other hand, in European communities, greater emphasis is given to communal elements like parks, green belts, and other common areas. As the way and standard of living and lifestyle in both continents are majorly different, it simply impacts their home designs as well.

Energy-Efficiency

Well, due to their smaller dimensions, European homes are much more energy-efficient than their American counterparts. As European governments have stringent laws regarding energy efficiency to maximize insulation and efficiency, British homes are always focused that on better energy efficiency.

On contrary, American-based homeowners don’t necessarily focus much on energy efficiency. Most of their homes’ interiors are designed with wide and open spaces with high ceilings and galleries, which make them less warm and energy-efficient. Also in American homes, electricity bills and other utility costs are higher than in European settings.

Floor Plan & Layouts

Open-floor plans for living spaces are mostly preferred by Americans. American homes are mostly planned with an open-plan kitchen-diner alongside a large living space. On the other hand, European homes usually have isolated spaces for living room, dining, and kitchen.

Traditional European home designs are based on cutting off each space from another to create a secular living inside the home. However, in recent years, the American open-space layouts are increasingly becoming popular among modern European property owners, especially in the continents of the UK.

Home Extensions

It is common among both Americans and Europeans to add home extension plans to their existing building. But both singles out on the basis of the extension plan they choose. Americans often increase their existing space while making sure that the additional space complements and reflects the existing style and design of the original structure.

Oppositely, Europeans mostly don’t plan specific additions. Though European homes promote a matchy-matchy feel, they still can easily combine the traditional look of their homes with some modern designs as they often choose to add an ultra-modern extension to their properties. However, British homes always prefer matching and coordinating colors for each room.

Comfort & Minimalism

While Americans are comfy creatures and prefer lavish decors, most Europeans prefer simple living. That’s why most American homes have plush and plump upholstery, coordinating rich color tones and tapestry elements, while British homes promote a minimalist aesthetic in each of their rooms.

Europeans match the fabrics and prints repeatedly throughout rooms and prefer maintaining grand antique showpieces, classic products, and furniture while American homes are decorated with a couple of joyful doses of colors and minimal decors. In this case, the taste of Americans is much better than the European property owners.

Final Words

Both continents promote different styles of living through their home designs, floor plans, and interior decors. Both styles have their own set of inimitability, individuality, and class. Now it’s up to you to choose the home design and layout you think will suit your needs, taste, and budget better.