Ayear ago, I told you why I thought the two-story family room was one of the worst house trends to come out of the 2000s (“The Two-Story Family Room: Thanks, But No Thanks”). My reasons? They’re noisy. A waste of space. Difficult to decorate. And energy inefficient.
But my main gripe is that builders seemed to think we all wanted them. Just try to buy a newer home that doesn’t have a gymnasium-sized family room and you’ll see what I mean!
A year later, I still get heated comments on that post. Some people agree–they hate their two-story rooms. Others are emphatic in telling me how wrong I am. They love theirs and have had no problems decorating them or dealing with echoey acoustics.
(All photos found in the real estate listings.)
I agree that they can be beautiful. They can work when they’re decorated well and the scale is right (if the room’s too small, it creates a bottom-of-the-elevator-shaft effect). I’m not saying that no house should ever have them.
But I have to admit it makes me happy every time I read that the two-story trend is fading out. I’m ready to see something different in home design. Are you?
~
Check out the results of our other polls–and tell me which trend you want to vote on next!
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 93 comments }
This would be the one of the top three items on my want list of a home. I love high ceilings. I will never grow tired of them. I personally do not like when just one room, for instance the family room, is two stories high and the rest of the house is just the one.
I was just thinking, “racquet ball court” when you said, “gymnasium!” I’m a cathedral ceiling girl myself…with lovely millwork….but have never been a fan of the vast, cobweb attracting latitudinal abyss of 2 story family/living rooms. We had 2 beefy beamed 13 foot cathedral ceilings in the house in which I was raised….I can’t wait to rip out the flat ceiling in my current family room….which was a 1966 addition to my 100 year old house. It has a lovely peaked attic which is begging for a little exposure.
: )
Julie M.
.-= The Little Red Shop´s last blog ..Snow Day…No Make Up Day…and Some Flakes… =-.
My husband would love to have a two story room! He loves BIG SPACES. haha I hadn’t thought about the decorating/noise dilemmas. Probably because the only place I’ve seen this trend is on US real estate sites. The trends here in Australia are very different. And I don’t like them. haha Very modern/ugly. And very likely to date within 5-10 years.
I have to admit that the 2 story family rooms I’ve seen look nice to me. Maybe I’m tired of our 8 foot high ceilings. haha
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..~The Blessing of Friendship ~ =-.
For the short period of time that we considered building a house, we emphatically did NOT want the 2-story family room for all the reasons you listed. The noise and inefficiency were the two main ones for me. Pretty? Yes. But totally not worth it to me.
.-= Nicole @ Here’s The Diehl´s last blog ..This Does Not Bode Well. UPDATED =-.
I’m torn on this one. I definitely see your point. But there is something grand in having that big open space. Makes the house seem larger than it is…which is always nice:)
.-= Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Test of a true friend =-.
Interestingly I don’t really like them, though I’ve had them in my each of my three homes! I love high ceilings, but those would be 10′ not 18′!! I don’t think most mass builders know the difference. Some of these spaces just look dated and tacky to me, when there are two many tiers of windows in different shapes.
Janell
.-= Janell Beals´s last blog ..Chalkboard Wall Progress =-.
My grandmother’s 1910′s house had a grand 2+ story high foyer. It was always so cold in the winter. The second floor was wonderfully warm. When DH & I built our house 20 yrs ago, the builder wanted the foyer to be 2 story. No was our answer. I am so glad that we made that choice. I would love to have 10 ft high ceilings, but house is paid for & hubby retired early. Enjoying what we own!
.-= Beckie´s last blog ..Sweet Sleep =-.
I love them too but I find myself always thinking.. if I built a house I wouldn’t have a 2 story family room, entry way.. I just wouldn’t.. .I’m constantly thinking in my present house.. Hmmm that could be an extra room if we filled it in…
I don’t hate them, but I don’t think I’d want one…I wouldn’t know how to decorate it!!!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..The Fastest Wreath in the East =-.
I grew up with tall ceilings throughout the first floor (10 feet) , 2 story family room. A “modern French” finished in 1970. Windows/doors stopped at the same height as the rest of the house, and then the ceiling gradually slanted inward at the top (mansard roof line). The furniture mostly centers in the middle of the room around the stone fireplace. My husband I were drawn to our house (c. 1939) because of its tall living room, though again…no windows at the top. It slants from 9 feet to meet the height of the 2nd floor. The photos above with windows up to the top and straight lines seem to dwarf the minions that live below. Love “great rooms” but slanted ceilings, less window warm up the space a bit.
.-= Trish ´s last blog ..The Romance of Metal =-.
Trish–I agree. We had vaulted beamed ceilings in our first home and I loved them. It’s the straight-up two-story rooms that I don’t care for. -Julia
I like high ceilings. I think every home should be built with 9 or 10 foot ceilings. But in my mind, these two-story rooms are a total waste of space and I think they make rooms feel smaller. It’s like being closed in by tall walls in a tiny floor space.
.-= Lesley @ The Design File´s last blog ..We have a Red Letter Words giveaway winner =-.
You KNOW what I think! I’m the guy who commented on that post last year about how many times we’ve built floors in between levels in rooms like this! People don’t like them and the builders are catching on. Maybe slowly.
It’s really amazing the space that can be gained by closing one of these in. A buddy of mine (another contractor) is about to sign a contract to do the bulk of the work on one of these jobs (the owner is to do flooring and paint) for only $7500.00!!! Times are tough and he’s looking for work, but that is a major steal!
The people will gain about 250 sf of new loft space at $30.00 per square foot! Can you believe that?!
Long way of saying… on the way out! – Tim
.-= Remodeling Guy´s last blog ..RG’s Complete Guide To Wood Paneling – Part 4 – V-Joint T&G =-.
Hi Julia the top picture looks great I can see how people fall for this style but I tend to look at it this way how am I going to clean all those tall windows since we can’t afford for someone to do all these things for us and who is going to paint the ceiling? Must admit high ceilings over here are not a bad idea just not limited to the family room. Thanks Julia regards Esther from Sydney.
I hate them. Our house in TN had a two story family room and it looked impressive when we bought it, but when it came to decorating, heating and cooling it, it was AWFUL! Our apartment in Germany has 8.5 foot ceilings and I love them. Ideally I’d like 9 or 10 foot ceilings but not a 2+ story wall.
BTW, I learned that Europeans have high ceilings and low furniture to help fool the eye. The rooms are generally small (space is a premium here) and higher ceilings paired with low furniture (seriously, their beds can be just a foot or so off the ground) gives the illusion of more space.
.-= Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..No kitchen for you part zwei: the McDonald’s version =-.
I’ve only ever seen these rooms on television. I don’t recall ever seeing one in life. They seem like something for either the very wealthy or for the upscale suburbs. Either way, I wouldn’t want them. There may be some architectural styles in which the height is appropriate but generally, I don’t see the advantage other than to make a grand statement. That seems like it’s all about ego.
.-= Why S?´s last blog ..Why Why? don’t Wii =-.
OMG, that is so 80′s – it must be an american thing tho, because we rarely do that in Oz… personally, I can’t stand them, never could!
.-= Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..Large Luxury Home with views of Adelaide =-.
We don’t get them here as they would suck valuable floor space. I must admit they look stunning but a big part of me thinks that they waste space, would be a pain to decorate and you just know there would be a cobweb up there you couldn’t get to and don’t start me on curtains for those high windows
Here in Victorian homes 12-15ft is the average ceiling height whereas in new homes it’s 8-10ft which I do think is too low.
.-= Liz@VioletPosy´s last blog ..Interview with a 6 year Old =-.
I like the look of them, but once you get over the wow factor, I would not choose to build a house with them. I live in a new neighborhood and there are no floorplans that offer 2 story family rooms. There are a few plans with 2 story foyers, but not family rooms.
My 2 story foyer is bad enough…the noise carries upstairs, but it’s nice to look at. I can’t imagine how bad it would be with a family room. Plus in most two story family rooms, there is a “cat walk” so you can look over the family room. There would never be any privacy. You are in the family room, but you never know who upstairs can see you/hear you. No thanks.
I think this trend falls under the bigger is always better category. We went through a time when everything had to be grand to be considered desirable and hopefully that part of the trend is over. Our home now has a regular size family room with the largest room in the house above it & we love that additional space however I do miss the cathedral ceiling of our old family room every now & then – like when the boys want to play basketball in the house.;)
.-= duchess´s last blog ..Trees of Glass =-.
I personally love my 17 ft. high ceiling great room, but wouldn’t it be a boring world if we all liked only the same things! The view out my 2 stories of windows is the beautiful backyard (until my new dog destroys it!) and then into a forest. So if it did not have that, I probably would not want the room. I looooooove light and could live in a glass house…so maybe it is not the 2 storyroom that is so appealing to me – but rather the 2 stories of windows and light.
I actually like the high ceilings…but it’s too much floor room.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Geezees Census, Who are you people? And a bit about me =-.
We have 14′ ceilings in our home and, whilst I love the look, they can cause problems. Specially made cobweb broom, dust peeking over the edge of the picture rails! and heating!!!!!! BUT…what can I say, tonight I posted a blog with a two story high cathedral ceiling in the middle and I just love it. So don’t take any notice of my on the way out vote. Thanks again
I like being able to paint my own walls and wash my own windows. I would hate having to hire someone to do that for me. I also don’t care for heating and cooling space that isn’t really being used. I see why some people like them, though, because they do look impressive.
I still enjoy mine.. 9 years later~
I love walking into space..the room isn’t huge.. so it appears airier~ It doesn’t have windows on top..it’s a bit different than your views..It works for us:) It looks cottagey.Not straight up..
.-= Monique´s last blog ..Soul Food #40~ =-.
Julia,
Intimacy and sensibility are back. It is impossible to feel cozy when the ceiling reaches the sky. They’re fuel-ish too.
Rosemary
.-= Content in a Cottage´s last blog ..Perfection =-.
I have a two story family room, and while it fits the style of the house, if I was building a new house I would not do one. It’s not cozy, and a waste of space. No one sits in there.
I like a high ceiling, too. Like a nine or ten foot ceiling – NOT a 20 ft ceiling. I agree the two story ceilings are noisy and so hard to heat! I’ve had one and HATED it!
Oh, and I HOPE they’re on their way out!
Julia, good post! I think they are out. I think builders are doing no more than 12 ft but mostly 9-10 ft ceilings. I think the public is wanting a warmer cozy feeling home. The big over sized homes of the last decade are going to taken over by the more homey feeling home. I think the economical enviroment has a lot to do with that. We just had a decade of excess and I think or at least hope we come more down to earth and treat our homes as a sanctuary not a showpiece. Those vast rooms are very difficult to get them to look cozy. Kathysue
I COMPLETELY agree with you. I have never liked the look or the waste of space! Builders don’t always “get it.” I appreciate your brave writing.
-Trish
.-= Trish @TheOldPostRoad´s last blog ..Busy as a Bee =-.
After 5 years of living in the “racquetball” room, we took our 20ft high great room and sliced it in half, creating a wonderful bedroom/bonus space on the second floor that added value to our home. We’ve since built another house, one with 10 ft. ceilings throughout. I’ll keep the 10 ft ceilings, but my days of two-story great rooms are over!
We have a 20 to 10 ft slope, in our living room. It’s funny, people always think we have this large home and I think this is why. I have been trying to build a loft space in it for years, but my husband doesn’t get it. So here I sit with my 40 ft extention pole dusting out the cobwebs in the corners and cleaning the windows. Ever try and clean windows with a pole, it’s not fun?
.-= Janet´s last blog .. =-.
A drapery-maker’s nightmare! Measuring often requires rental of a hi-low or scaffolding. Add that to the price of your custom draperies! Yikes!
Been there, done that, sold the house!
Ellen
.-= Nouveau Stitch´s last blog ..Amazing Gracie. =-.
I’m a drapery fabricator, and although I’ve never done them myself, I know a lot of other fabricators and designers agonize over what to do with these huge windows. I have yet to see a window treatment that did them justice without looking too formal. I think the trend in houses is more towards intimate and cosy; less formal. A lot of workrooms will be glad to see them go!
I think in the right house, a two-storey family room works. For example, in a log or timber frame home with a vaulted ceiling, exposed ceiling beams, and a floor to ceiling stone fireplace. Love that look!! But in a smallish suburban home, it’s kind of a waste of space, especially if it doesn’t have any architectural interest. Plus it costs more to heat a two-storey high room, which can be an issue in colder climes (like where I live!!)
Sorry I’m a bit late, but thanks for congratulations on my home office win
Kelly
We start construction on our latest house in a month….. and the floor plan we fell in love with has a 2 story living room! Before I could even gasp in horror
my lovely hubby assured me he was having the floor plans changed to reflect a one story living room. Whew! 
.-= Elaine’s Semi-Homemade Life´s last blog ..New Year, New…. SHOES! =-.
They just aren’t cozy.
I think the trend is shrinking but the great room concept is one to stay. Maybe not such tall ceilings. I’m with you on them. I think it feels like a hotel lobby esp. the ones with a balcony!
Hi Julia, Well, I’m three for three on your polls. I guess I think like the majority when it comes to decorating. I have always preferred a den style atmosphere in the family room. Something cozy with a big overstuffed sofa. I like houses with a separate living room and dining room, and then the family room. The high ceilings? I always wondered how people dust their light fixtures and such. A higher vintage New York City style apartment ceiling is great, but up here in New Jersey I wonder how people can afford to pay to heat such a room. Just my 2 cents.
Susan
.-= black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..SHOWERS OF LOVE FOR THE BRIDE TO BE : A FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM =-.
I can see how they would be appealing, at first sight. They really give that feeling of “grand”. My family room has a ten foot celing, which I find perfect. My daughter has a house with those two story ceilings. It does present some problems. Painting, dusting…and very expensive window treatments. I made all of her drapes for her entire first floor, and let me tell you it was monumental. Just handleing that much fabric was very difficult. I can’t even imagine what the cost would have been if she had hired someone to make them, especially with the fabrics and styles she chose!
I had never made drapes before, it was quite a learning experience for me!! LOL!
.-= Pat´s last blog ..In January… =-.
I like a cathedral ceiling. But the thrify side of me always cringes when I think about heating or cooling all of that space in a two-story room.
.-= Deidra´s last blog ..All Things New =-.
Too cold and museum-like…
Funny how we can be short-sighted when it comes to our houses. Almost every trend eventually looks dated. We could probably all stand to make our choices carefully–or else be cheerful at the prospect that eventually we’ll want to get rid of the things that we currently treasure!
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..Planning center =-.
I personally don’t care for those two-story family rooms. A lot of my friends and family members have them and complain about them all the time, for most of the reasons others have mentioned above – painting, dusting, cleaning the windows, etc. I prefer something cozier. The home I live in now was built in 1955 and has the standard 8′ ceilings. They’re okay, but I do prefer the 10-12′ ceilings we had in our 1930 farmhouse. That to me is the perfect height. They give you the feeling of spaciousness without being too energy inefficient, and you’re still able to clean your own windows!
Personally, I love them. But I agree with the first poster- I like high ceilings as a whole, not just in one room. I am very fond of high ceilings and open rafters, instead of attics. You got a lot more light into a room, and I think a houses bathed in sunlight is the best house you can have!
I like tall ceilings (12′ )but more than that I don’t care for. We used to live in a brownstone with tall ceilings & windows, pocket doors & marble fireplace — it felt so homey. I really loved it. I’m glad our living room is similar in our home now. I’d prefer 2 nice rooms to one 2 story room. That’s just my opinion.
.-= melissa´s last blog ..Onward & Upward =-.
High ceilings= gorgey, light airy
Two story ceilings= ridiculous
I picture the same people who love a two story family room also really appreciating an all white living room that you don’t actually go into, it’s just to look at.
That being said, you can’t say I am a horrible snob because the house I grew up in had one. I’ve lived it people. And it is all kinds of wrong.
.-= Bailey´s last blog ..Clifford: The Entryhall =-.
I love your blog! I thought you might want to see my kitchen reveal… it’s farmhouse country with a touch of swedish. http://www.homeandharmony.blogspot.com/
You probably remember my comment in defense of the two story room way back when. I think I had a fix for every complaint, radiant floor heating, good design to combat awkward windows and blank wall spaces. But I think I have rethought my feelings recently. I agree with you that they can be done beautifully and in a way where the biggest problems are solved. But in general they are not designed in a way that keeps them from becoming dated. I agree builders just throw them in thinking everyone wants one. I would much rather see vaulted ceilings for height. In our home that we are currently building, we did a vaulted, sloping ceiling. I think it has much more character than the two story ceiling.
One thing I would love to see builders stop doing is having a second story loft area open to a two story first floor living room. How impractical of a room. I really dislike those!!
When builders start listening to what people really want those room will be gone. It has the appearance of being swank but it’s just bad. We are challenged by it when we stage a home.
That last picture is different. The entire scale of the room is grand and expansive. That one would be a 2 story area that I would be happy to live in.
The problem is all of these builders go to these conferences where they are told we want these things. For example: I can’t tell you how many newer houses I looked at last year that had a wine closet. What is the purpose of this?! Who has all of this wine that doesn’t own a liquor store? And if you are some wine nut, you probably want it all temperature controlled. Not in some closet that was supposed to be the coat closet!!! Everyone should read “The Not So Big House” before buying or building their next house. If you saw what I did buy, you would be laughing so hard right now that crying would be involved:)
I think it all depends on the height of the room. I love tall ceilings that are 10-13 feet tall, but wouldn’t want one as tall as the rooms you showed above.
I think you are right, most two story family rooms are noisy and echo-ey (especially if that is where the family’s TV lives) and here in Southern California they are expensive to heat and cool. I think some high ceilings can be dramatic if they are done right – Frank Lloyd Wright used low ceilings to create coziness in nooks and corners of a room with high ceilings. He also used low ceilings in hallways and foyers that opened onto high ceilinged rooms that gave a person that ‘wow’ feeling when entering a room. But still – in areas where people sit to eat, read or relax – the feeling was cozy and low and that really appeals to me. I like open spaces, but not cavernous spaces.
We just had this conversation last Friday night. When we looked at houses before moving to SC, one neighborhood in particular had tons of high ceilings like this. We agreed that IF we settled on one of those houses, we would have to close it up and make a playroom or another bedroom on the second floor with the newly created space.
We ended up buying an older home in an older neighborhood and have lots of other decorating dilemmas. Have you ever answered the “Why have a ‘formal’ living room that no one will sit in” question? My husband doesn’t see the need for it, but I also don’t want the TV to be at the center of a living room. We recently saw a house that had the TV over the mantle hidden behind a mirror. It was fantastic – so that may be our new plan.
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..Tex update =-.
Personally I love a well decorated two story family room. I crave windows and light like nobody’s business.
Probably comes from spending to many winters in Northern Ohio. But I do agree that they can be awkward and echoy. I also think they make people feel wealthy. Celebs and super rich people often have extravagant homes with over the top spaces and I think the rest of us feel that way about our two story living rooms. Just a thought.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Yeah Right =-.
Hate the two story family rooms. Every house I decorated in Va had one. The window treatments cost a flipping fortune and you have to stuggle to continuously come up with something creative for over the fireplace. They are expensive to heat and cool too. It just isn’t eco friendly. My husband ( who is 6’8″) and I have always looked for houses with at least 9 ft ceilings. He always thought he’d get caustrophobia if they were shorter. Well, the current house we are living in has ceiling heights that range from 7 to 71/2 ft ( you know old house… blah blah blah). It is very cozy and we both kind of like it. It is a very open floor plan, so that helps. I’m with ya Julia, totally agree and I’m passionate about it. It is on its way out, thank goodness. Builders are being pressured to be more eco friendly, and that is just one thing two story spaces are not.
I hope they are on the way out. I think they are going to date a house and they will be the next split entries when trying to sell. Just my personal opinion of course.
.-= Laurie @ Little Blue Chairs´s last blog ..My daughters first idea book =-.
I just thought I’d let you know how much I am enjoying your questions. They are making me think and it is fun to see how the answers trend. Someday, if I ever get enough followers I would like to try a post along one of those lines too. Thanks for keeping me inspired.
.-= pam @ becolorful´s last blog ..Valentine Door Candy =-.
Our house is pretty small but our only living room is double-height. Being from England where this is almost unheard of, I really have struggled to make it feel like a cozy place to hang out. I’m dreading the thought of changing the light bulbs up there. And of course, you can forget painting the room yourself unless you’re very intrepid.
Although it does look quite nice, on balance I think I’d vote for lower ceilings.
.-= Struggler´s last blog ..Buying Boden, for Less =-.
I’m hoping that design feature is on it’s way out too and for all the reasons mentioned. I love all the light being in Northern Ohio, but I think that you can add more windows and get a similar effect in a single story room. We bought a 1950′s ranch with several windows in the living room. It feels very bright and still cozy.
.-= Holley´s last blog ..Everything is new…. =-.
I am so sick of them! I have seen only a few done in a way that’s livable and doesn’t feel like a huge, cold museum where everyone can look into your living room. I was looking at homes for sale in my area yesterday and basically any house that had a two-story family room was out in my books. However, I am very biased toward old homes and their floor plans. I like open floor plans where rooms flow but still feel like their own room, but I hate actual open floor plans where one room acts as three rooms or the ceilings and windows are so high no one in their right mind could ever clean them, much less look through them. I agree – they are a complete waste of space for the most part and feel too big for the kind of cozy home I would like to live in. Just my two cents. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way!
.-= Sarah @ Dream In Domestic´s last blog ..Revamping Recipes: Creamy Mexican Pasta =-.
I voted got to go! But I do love that last picture- for a vacation/beach home. Not for real every day living!
.-= gina´s last blog ..for the love of ruffles. ( & 15% off today only!) =-.
I agree with everything! We lived in an older cape cod home with standard ceiling height, then moved into my in-laws with vaulted ceilings, and I can’t wait to have normal ceiling height again. It doesn’t feel cozy, it’s loud, I wouldn’t know how to decorate, and I wouldn’t want to paint the walls. We are going to be building a home and we are going for 9′ ceilings.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Handmade by Jessica =-.
I think in moderation they can be great–my parents have a log cabin and the double-height cathedral ceiling is gorgeous and lets in lots of (much needed–log cabins are dark!) extra light. But I definitely agree that home builders taking the one-size fits all approach to *any* home feature is silly and usually doesn’t take into account the way most people will live in the house. It’d be great to see developers either stop building so many spec homes, or build more of a mix so that people can find the home that’s right for them in the neighborhood they want to live in.
.-= Jessica Zee´s last blog ..Linky Link: What I’m reading these days (and you might enjoy, too) =-.
I personally loathe two story family rooms. We floored ours in and added a 330 sq. ft. bedroom with huge walk-in closet.
“If done right…” which it rarely is. I’m with you. When it is a sea of drywall with small scale features…ew.
.-= angela | the painted house´s last blog ..The Bold & the Beautiful =-.
In the house we just bought (in Missouri), the ceilings are lower and not vaulted. But I actually like the cozy feel of it. However, I do like vaulted rooms too. I really think it just depends on the house. But I’m like you–I don’t like cookie cutter, and this can borderline on cookie cutter.
P.S. If you haven’t done a movie house post on Holiday Inn, I would love one! It’s one of my favorite movie houses! Also, I think you’ve done this, but I’d love to see Emma (the Gwenyth Paltrow version)!!
.-= Ashley L.´s last blog ..You Should Be In Movies =-.
Interesting you get heated comments on this! Looking forward to seeing you soon. YAY!
.-= Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog ..Indoor Fun With Edible Paint =-.
Like you said, I think it depends on the rest of the house. In the top pic, it works. However in the 2nd pic, it doesn’t seem to go with the house at all and looks out of place. And the 3rd pic looks like a gymnasium! My atrium ranch has high ceilings, but not 2 story. I wouldn’t like it, because then I couldn’t reach the spiders up there!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..I Miss You, Ditto =-.
I have a 2 storey lounge/living. It’s more a loft style/exposed beams. What I love about it is the open space it creates and the natural light that enters that space. No need for lights at all during the day, and even at night only 1 lamp and a few candles. I guess everyone has different tastes.
.-= Beach Vintage´s last blog ..Sew Happy Right Now =-.
I so agree with the tall ceiling trend being on the way out. At least it is for me. We built a new home several years ago and I could have had ceilings as high as I wanted. All of mine are 9 feet with the exception of the dining room which is taller. I love the cozy feel of lower ceilings and you don’t need to worry about breaking your neck on those ladders when you repaint or breaking the bank to pay someone else to do it. Some people were surprised at my choice but it makes sense to me. As you age, it gets harder to climb a ladder to wash those super high windows too. They are impressive but just not for me.
I just moved from Florida to northern Kentucky and since I only wanted to move one time we bought a house that was being built. (another words, not my first choice) Our house has a two story great room and I hate it. It is all those things that you said…LOUD, a waste of space, and a NIGHTMARE to decorate. My room favors the one you posted with the three mantels. Our room has a double mantel. It is a pretty mantel and I am going to paint it a glossy black to make it pop. Believe me, the room can handle it. LOL. I will say that I hope they are not going out since we will one day be transfered again and have to sale our house.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..I’m swooning here =-.
They can be beautiful but they are wasted space ans so inefficient with heating and cooling. We need to be more careful with our resources and that is one way to get rid of using too much energy in the home.
Paula Grace ~
.-= Paula Grace´s last blog ..Thursday’s Room =-.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who dislikes these rooms. Every time I walk into one I think that’s one more bedroom they could have. To me, it’s just not cozy.
I absolutely agree. As beautiful as they are it’s a waste of space and resources. The trend is to go towards USABLE homes. No longer are builders incorporating unused spaces like formal dining rooms and sitting rooms. I’m all for utilizing the resources we have to the utmost (like Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big House).
In my experience most of these rooms look like the 2nd picture: sparsely furnished and boring. Very few people have the talent to decorate soaring spaces, whether it’s the ubiquitous double height entries or the massive family rooms, which are anything but cosy and family oriented. It’s usually a sea of builder “Navajo white” walls.
I was thrilled when I found our house which has 9 1/2 foot ceilings and did not have a 2 story entry. A nice small sitting area in our master bedroom replaces the 2 story entry. Most of my neighbors have the entries and/or a double height room. If you have small children there are always noise issues, especially with sound traveling up the stairs or balcony overlooks onto the family room. I knew not to like this false grandiosity 15 years ago. I wonder what the new fads will be?
I found your website after I typed in decorating ideas for two story family rooms. Now that you have all voiced your opinions on these homes going out like the split levels, is there anyone out there kind enough to come up with any ideas for us that are stuck with this type of homes? You all seem to have such wonderful opinions, I am some up you can come up with a few great ideas for us stuck in these cold unwelcoming homes.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Didn’t like my two-story great room for all the same reasons mentioned…and I didn’t have much use for a formal dining room. So, I switched them around and now we have the coolest dining area, a great place to gather, dance, laugh, play games…and all without the TV. The old dining room is now a cozy family room where the TV can be on without interrupting life in the rest of the house, not to mention it is much cozier in there in the winter. I built a wall with french doors to separate the new family room from the living room. The two-story kitchen/dining room is light and it is very nice eating right next to a warm, blazing fire in the winter and feeling like you are eating outdoors in the summer with all the windows open (if you choose). This may not work for anyone else, but it made me love my house again (since we can’t just up and move).
I would LOVE one of these rooms. I’d take down the light fixtures and put in a basketball hoop and create an indoor gym that my kids would stay active in all winter long. Hopefully the disdain you all have for this trend will help me steal a room like this in the future.
@ Nichole: The Not So Big House doesn’t necessarily say big is bad. It advocates going big and open where YOU want it and creating little private spaces elsewhere.
For instance, if I designed a home for my family of 6 I would have one of these giant rooms (to be used as stated above) and a modern kitchen with seating .. everything else would be minimal, focusing only on function .. no formal dining or living room, kids BRs only big enough for bed and big closet
I personally prefer old houses, so I would never have a 2-story family room. The thing that really bugs me is what does that big wall of windows look at 90% of the time?????? The neighbors’ yards and walls of windows from their 2-story spaces.
If you have a view that is truely worth the wasted extra bedroom and higher heating & cooling bills, go for the 2-story room, but most of the time, I think it’s a huge waste.
Many of my friends have them & there’s only one I even like to spend time in.
I’ll stick with the 9-12′ ceilings of old houses.
I have to agree with you! I currently have a two story open height house and HATE it. As much as I appreciate the added light and ‘airiness’, it’s WAY over rated. I’d much rather trade it all for a home that heats and cools evenly – the heat rising is really the biggest issue. As can be traveling noise especially sounds like simply washing the dishes which literally ‘bounce’ through the house due to the ceilings. Not to mention trying to reach cob webs and paint. Now that we are moving, I am so looking forward to a traditional one story.
P.S. Just stumbled upon your site and I love it, especially the movie homes/sets.
I just love my 2-story family room. Its airy , beautiful and has the vow factor . Everytime a guest walkin my house they just love it.
Wow – lots of people with houses with poor insulation and/or improperly sized HVAC systems… I have a two story family room with the “catwalk” upstairs and I really like it. Despite being two stories, I consider my living room cozy (the floor to ceiling rock fireplace really helps warm the room up in more ways than one!).
As for heating and cooling – my house has two units and if I keep them set the same, the house stays comfortable and my utility costs are within about 20% of my poorly insulated townhouse with windows that needed to be replaced – and this house is four times the size of the townhouse and exposed on all four sides!
My builder offered an energy efficiency package that was under$5,000 that maxed out the insulation in the walls, put like R36 in the attic and upgraded the HVAC to high efficiency gas furnace and high SEER AC. They also offered an insulated garage package for around $750 that also included an insulated garage door with windows (so it’s easy to tell who paid for the insulated garage). You would think both options would be a no brainer, considering they were a minuscule cost compared to the total cost of these homes when new – if 1/3 of the people in my development opted for the insulation/HVAC pack I would be shocked (you can see the duct for the high efficiency furnace on the side of the houses), and a little under half insulated their garage. Yet they will be the first to complain in a forum like this or to a friend that their bedroom (over the un-insulated garage) and/or house is cold in the winter. Sigh…
Also I discovered if I run my gas fireplace, not only does it look very nice, but it’s very effective at heating my living room (radiant as well as forced air heating) and it actually reduced my winter utility bill slightly. I have it turned down to the lowest setting and it’s still more than adequate. Plus the dogs really like to lay on the hearth in front of it
So I guess it just depends on how your house is built and whats important to you. Sometimes I do wish I had a family room with a regular ceiling, but thats not too often – for the vast majority of the time I really enjoy my family room.
Ironic that I found your blog entry searching for insight on how to decorate a monolithic 30 foot tall fireplace. We just moved in and you’re right – there wasn’t a home we saw in our quest that didn’t have a two story family room. My husband and I both have it on our hit list and when we win the lotto are going to put bedrooms overhead and a coffered ceiling underneath. Until then though, I’m stuck with it!
I currently have a two story family room and I absolutely hate it. It was the worst things to get. It keeps the house cold in the winter and hot in the summer. And, yes, it is very noisy and I have 3 boys. A total waste of space. I am on this website looking for ways to do window treatments. Right now it is just a room with no character and lots of windows.
Just wondering what people thought of the 2 story great room, if you have plenty of space everywhere else. Planning on putting one in the house we are planning on building this year. We have 5 kids! How much money is actually lost in heat and cooling cost? Do people think they are going to be dated like the split levels? Is a great room 20 x 15 too small to even do a 2 story room? Wanting some more advice? Any is greatly appreciated.
I personally think 20 x 15 would be too small for a 2-story room–might give it a bottom-of-the-elevator-shaft feeling. Could you vault it instead? That’s about the size of our sunroom (it’s 18 x 18) and I love the vaulted ceiling out there.
But that’s just my opinion–do what you want! And good luck!
I agree, Julia! Arched is cool, 10 feet or somewhere around there (style of early 20th century houses), but these massive living rooms seem like such a waste of space….plus the added cost of trying to find giant blinds or curtains to work with them…..fuggedaboudit. I’d rather have another room, like for my arts & crafts
a
Well GREAT!! Now I’m all stressed about this! We are getting ready to start building our custom home and have gone back and forth on the whole 2-story living room thing. We thought we had decided to go with the 2-story living room, which is all really open to the dining room and kitchen area, but now I’m doubting things!? I don’t want the big “gymnasium” look, but wanted to do slanted ceilings and some beams to cozy it up, which would go with the Craftsman style home we are building. It will have a full walk-out basement, but we have 3 little boys 5 and under. I wanted the open living room so that we didn’t feel completely cut off from them since our master is on the main level. Help?? Suggestions?? I don’t want to regret anything later either way! What would be the best way to incorporate a 2-story living room without noise being an issue or just looking big an akward? Our living room will only be about 19×19.
Megan,
We were in the same situation. We were all set to build a first floor master, two-story foyer + great room but I couldn’t do it after seeing some parade homes. We ended up closing off the foyer and making a bonus room and lowering the great room ceiling to 12′ with 9′ for the rest of the first floor. We are about to move in and don’t regret this one bit after seeing how it turned out.
I think the two-story great rooms are designed for the “Wow” factor and to get you to buy the home but actually living in them is another thing. After a few months I think that wears off. In my opinion, they are hard to heat/cool, noise travels throughout the house, and are hard to paint/decorate.
Comments on this entry are closed.