American Life
Ever notice how American homes have a few quirks you don’t see anywhere else? Since they’re situated in one of the richest countries in the world, it would be kinda disappointing if they didn’t. But while some of the common American home features make daily life super convenient, others leave visitors scratching their heads. Here are 20 home features that feel totally normal in the US, but are surprisingly rare in the rest of the world.
Walk-In Closets
Americans really love buying things, and walk-in closets prove it. Instead of squeezing all that stuff into tiny wardrobes, many of the wealthier US households have entire small rooms just for clothes and shoes.
Garbage Disposals
In most American kitchens, there’s a garbage disposal hiding under the sink, ready to grind up food scraps. Don’t put your hand in there! But elsewhere, people are more likely to compost or throw scraps into the trash.
Built-In Microwaves
In America, kitchens often come with microwaves built right into the cabinetry or even above the stove. In other places, microwaves are usually countertop appliances, if people own one at all.
Large Laundry Rooms
In the US, it’s common to have a whole room just for laundry – complete with a washer, dryer, shelves, and maybe even a table for ironing. In most other countries, a washer often squeezes into the kitchen or bathroom, and dryers aren’t as common.
Double Vanities
Many American bathrooms feature the famous double sink setup - his and hers. Couples can get ready at the same time with an abundance of space. Yet outside the USA, bathrooms are usually more compact, with just one sink.
Ceiling Fans Everywhere
Step into any American home, and you’re likely to spot ceiling fans in multiple rooms. They’re a classic fixture and often come with lights attached. But some South Koreans visiting the country don’t like them – there’s a superstition around ceiling fans in their country!
Screen Doors
Mosquito season in the USA would be bordering on unbearable without screen doors. They let the breeze in while keeping the bugs out, and they’re standard in many American homes. But in Britain, for example, screen doors aren’t common because there just aren’t so many bugs.
Home Offices
While remote work has spread around the world, the concept of a dedicated home office was already pretty American. US homes often set aside a full room for desks and computers.
Central Heating and Air Conditioning
One of the biggest shocks for many overseas visitors is that most American homes have central heating and air conditioning. Instead of plugging in space heaters or relying on window units, Americans flip a switch and their whole house adjusts.
Open Concept Living
Big open kitchens flowing into living and dining spaces are a hallmark of American homes in this millennium. Admittedly, some people don’t like that they get no privacy, and that smells travel across the place… but they’re still incredibly popular.
Basements
Hundreds upon thousands of American homes, especially in colder regions, come with full basements. They’re often used for storage, laundry, or even as a safe place to hide during a hurricane. But in other countries, basements are far less common – houses are just built differently and with different things in mind.
Attics
Along with basements, Americans love their attics. These spaces are usually crammed with stuff people can’t bear to throw away. But in some other countries, pitched roofs just don’t have usable attic space.
Mudrooms
A mudroom is a little entryway spot with hooks, cubbies, and benches where people can deposit their shoes and coats upon entering the home. They’re common in the US, especially in suburban homes, but not so much abroad. In many countries, you just step straight into the living area, mud be damned.
Driveways and Garages
While parking is a nightmare in many places, Americans often have huge driveways and even two- or three-car garages. Cars are practically an extension of the house, and suburban homes are designed around them.
Separate Laundry Machines
Americans usually have both a washer and a dryer as standard appliances. In other countries, people make do with a single combo machine, or just line-dry everything.
En-Suite Bathrooms
Having a bathroom directly attached to the master bedroom is fairly standard in large American houses, but visitors to the US are often surprised at them. They also sometimes think it’s unhygienic to have the toilet so close to the sleeping area.
Pantries
American kitchens often include a pantry – whether it’s a closet or a whole small room for food storage. Outside the US, people buy groceries more frequently (often walking to the store!) so huge storage spaces aren’t as necessary.
Islands in Kitchens
Many American kitchens come with a large island, perhaps with a sink built into it. It’s a staple in modern American home design, but outside the US, it’s not nearly as common.
Master Suites
Big bedrooms? Nah, think even bigger. American homes often feature a full “master suite” with a large bedroom, attached bathroom, walk-in closet, and sometimes even a sitting area.
Backyard Decks and Patios
The backyard hangout is a big deal in the US and many homes come with a deck or patio for grilling or entertaining. You don’t really get that in, say, colder and wetter Britain.
Linen Closets
In most American hallways, you’ll find a dedicated linen closet stacked with towels, sheets, and blankets. It’s a small but standard storage feature. But outside America… nope, none of them!
Detached Houses With Yards
While apartment living is the norm in many countries, detached single-family houses with their own yard are a major part of the traditional American image.
Half-Bathrooms
Americans love their “half-baths” - a bathroom with just a toilet and sink, often tucked near the living room for guests. These are rare elsewhere.
In-Sink Soap Dispensers
Many American kitchens come with a built-in soap pump right next to the faucet. Instead of keeping a bottle of dish soap on the counter, it’s neatly installed into the sink area.
Water and Ice Dispensers on Fridges
That big American fridge with built-in water and ice dispensers is iconic. But in many (especially colder) countries, refrigerators are smaller and don’t come with those features.
Carpeting in Bedrooms
Wall-to-wall carpeting, especially in bedrooms, is very American. Other countries lean toward hardwood, tile, or laminate throughout the house. It's easier to clean!
Ranch-Style Homes
The single-story, sprawling ranch-style home is an American classic. It fits perfectly with America’s love of space and wide-open land. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find them elsewhere.
Large Mailboxes
In suburban America, oversized mailboxes at the end of the driveway are the norm. Other countries, though, just have slots in the door for mail.
Garbage Chutes or Curbside Pickup Bins
While many countries rely on shared dumpsters or communal trash collection points, Americans usually have personal garbage bins that get wheeled to the curb each week.
Huge Master Bathrooms
Not just a bathroom, more a way of life. American master baths are often sprawling spaces with soaking tubs, walk-in showers, double vanities, and even separate toilet rooms.
Eat-In Kitchens
In America, many kitchens have space for a table or breakfast nook. It’s a casual alternative to the dining room and often becomes the family’s go-to eating spot.
Expansive Lawns
Big, manicured green lawns are a hallmark of American suburbia. Homeowners spend whole weekends mowing and fertilizing just to keep that perfect look – and foreigners find that distinctly odd.
Dining Rooms No One Uses
This is another one newcomers find odd. Plenty of American homes have a formal dining room that’s only used on holidays or special occasions like Thanksgiving.
Oversized Kitchens
Compared to the compact kitchens abroad, American ones are enormous, often with multiple counters, large fridges, islands, and even double ovens.
Guest Rooms
Many American homes set aside a bedroom specifically for guests, complete with a bed, dresser, and maybe even its own bathroom. In many other countries, there’s no room - extra visitors just sleep on the couch.
