21 Types of Rooms A House Can Have

Residential homes can have a variety of rooms. And the bigger the home, the more potential to create additional rooms to suit your lifestyle. Knowing the different types of rooms used in a home helps when shopping for a new home, selling a current home, and updating one. It also helps you if you are looking for tips on how to design certain rooms in your home.

We've done some digging to create a list of the most commonly used rooms in residential homes. We will go over all 21 of them in this post. So without further ado, let's get into it.

21 Types of Rooms A House Can Have

1. Kitchen

The kitchen of a home is where meals are prepared. It's a common gathering place for socializing in the morning during breakfast or in the evening during dinner. It can also be used as a quick getaway when you are craving a late-night snack. Kitchens come in a variety of sizes and usually are situated toward the back of the house.

2. Dining Room

Dining rooms are where most dinner time meals take place on a daily or a weekend basis. They are also commonly used for more formal gatherings (such as holiday dinners) with larger groups of people. Dining rooms are usually one of the larger rooms of a home and are typically (and conveniently) situated between the living room and the kitchen.

3. Living/Family Room (Or Den)

The living room of a home usually serves as a reception area where people may briefly gather upon entering or exiting the home. This can include both family members and guests. Living rooms can also serve as entertainment areas where family members may lounge around in their pajamas, particularly if they feature televisions or entertainment systems. Family rooms serve the same purpose as living rooms for the most part except that they are less formal.

4. Parlor Or Drawing Room

A parlor room is a smaller room that usually sits in the back of a home or on the second floor and serves as a relaxation destination. Today, you won't normally hear this term used when referring to the rooms in residential homes, but more so commercial buildings such as hotels or historic homes. Oftentimes, parlors are areas where men and women can relax with drinks, cigarettes, or cigars.

5. Mudroom (Or Entryway)

A mudroom is another type of room that you may not hear a lot about today when it comes to residential homes. These rooms usually refer to a small room in a home that is particularly dedicated to housing wet outerwear such as coats, jackets, wet or dirty boots, and umbrellas. Its purpose is to allow the attire to dry out to avoid tracking water and dirt into other areas of the home.

6. Sunroom

A sunroom is a beautiful home addition that offers a warm space where family members or guests can relax in an enclosed outdoor space without being exposed to direct sunlight or pests. These rooms typically have either glass walls or mesh netting. Sunrooms offer a great way to expose homes to more natural light. They may also help to reduce your electric bill.

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7. Bedroom: Master And Guest Room

The master bedroom of a home is typically where the homeowners sleep at night. In one-story homes, it's usually located in the back of the home. In a two-story home, it's usually located on the top floor. The master bedroom is typically the largest bedroom in the home and may have the most features such as bathrooms or extra windows.

Guest rooms are rooms in a home dedicated to family members or friends who are staying the night. They may be smaller than other rooms of the home but are at least big enough to house a bed and dresser.

8. Nursery

Nurseries are dedicated to the care of infants and small children. These rooms are typically on the smaller side and can be where babies sleep in their cribs or they can simply be used as a place to help tend to babies' needs such as nursing, changing, or other needed tasks. Nurseries are great to have if you have a large household, as they will provide mothers and their babies with more privacy.

9. Home Office

A home office has become one of the more popular room setups in residential homes today. With more people leaving the workforce and becoming entrepreneurs and more jobs offering telecommuting options, having a private quiet space to perform your job functions is essential. Home offices typically include the same business supplies that a normal office would such as a computer, printer, desk, and other personal business items.

10. Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are where the washer and dryer are kept in a home. These rooms are usually no bigger than the size of a small bathroom and may contain a laundry table for sorting and folding clothes. It's also common for these rooms to be located in the basement or the back of the house near the garage.

11. Bathroom

All residential homes will have at least one full bathroom for showering, toilet use, and self-grooming. Many homes will often come with a second bathroom or more if there are more bedrooms. Bathrooms are smaller than bedrooms and can be customized with amenities such as heated floors and specialty bath equipment (i.e., tubs, sinks, showers, etc.).

12. Powder Room (Or Half Bath)

Powder rooms will typically house only a toilet and a sink. These rooms are usually located on the first floor of a home near the entrance. They are normally the first option for guests and they are also used by family members as well who may not want to make the trek up the steps to go to the bathroom.

13. Game Room

Game rooms have become more popular over the last 10 to 15 years and are used as areas of entertainment for both members of the home as well as guests. These rooms can range in size depending on the size of the house but they are typically at least the size of two small bedrooms combined. Game rooms can house pool tables, video games, flat screens, and stereo systems.

14. Library/Study

Libraries provide homeowners with a place to catch up on the latest books--even if they are ebooks. So if you have a growing book collection and have an extra room in your home, why not turn it into your own personal library?

15. Home Theater

Home theaters have risen in popularity with the increase in 70+-inch screens and wall televisions. These rooms can be filled with theater-style seating. Depending on their size, they can house anywhere from 6 to 12 seats. Home theaters are a perfect way to get the theater experience (for free) without leaving your residence.

16. Home Gym

Are you someone who likes to work out three to five times a week? If so, creating your own home gym can save you money on a gym membership as well as time on the commute back and forth from your home. Most gym equipment can be purchased online these days, and if you have space in your home, it's definitely worth considering.

17. Loft

The term "loft" is more commonly used to refer to an entire space that may be an individual apartment, art studio, or other commercial space. It can also refer to upper-story space inside a home that's been built out to make it more open. These spaces can be used for a variety of personal activities. They can function as bedrooms, studios, offices, etc.

18. Playroom

Creating a "playroom" for your children is a great way to keep them contained and to prevent them from causing chaos in other areas of the home. It's also a great way to keep their toys confined to their room, and not spread out in other areas of the home. Playrooms can be located upstairs or downstairs, depending on the layout of your home.

19. Basement

The basement of a home is located beneath the first level of the home and on the ground. Basements can serve a variety of purposes, especially if they are finished. They can be converted into entertainment rooms, laundry rooms, storage areas, as well as home gyms.

20. Utility/Storage Room

Most homes will come with at least one storage (aka "utility") room. These small panty-size rooms are typically located on the first floor and near the back or side of the house. Storage rooms provide a great space to store items including clothes, camping or sports equipment, and other items that you may not keep in your bedroom closets.

21. Home Bar

Home bars are another room that's becoming more popular. These rooms are especially popular with homeowners who frequently entertain guests on the weekends or during the holidays. They're essentially entertainment areas that include a bar set-up. They may be located in the basement or toward the back of the house near the garage.