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Accommodation: Types of housing, house, apartment, room, furnishing, and more

Accommodation is the place where we live, rest, and spend a significant portion of our time. Each type of accommodation has its own unique characteristics, and understanding these differences can help you better navigate the vocabulary and expressions related to housing. Depending on the type, accommodation can be a house, apartment, room, or another form of dwelling.

When describing your accommodation in English, it’s helpful to know key terms and phrases that will enable you to convey its features and layout effectively. For example, you might describe the number of rooms, the type of furniture, and any special features like a garden or balcony. Additionally, you should be familiar with vocabulary related to different types of housing, such as a “studio apartment,” “townhouse,” or “shared flat.”

By mastering these terms, you can provide detailed descriptions of your living space, whether you’re talking about your home in a conversation, writing a description for an assignment, or giving a tour to visitors.

Types of housing in English (House, Apartment, Room)

House

A house is a structure where people live, and it comes in various types. Below are some essential terms and phrases related to houses:

Key terms and phrases about houses in English

Detached house: A stand-alone house that does not share walls with any other houses.
- Example: “They live in a large detached house in the suburbs.”
Semi-detached house: A house that shares one wall with a neighboring house.
- Example: “We bought a semi-detached house with a shared driveway.”
Terraced house: A house connected to others on both sides by shared walls.
- Example: “Terraced houses are common in London.”
Bungalow: A single-story house, often with large windows and a veranda.
- Example: “They retired to a small bungalow near the beach.”
Cottage: A small house in the countryside or on the outskirts of a city, often with a traditional design.
- Example: “We spent the weekend at a charming cottage in the countryside.”
Garden: An area of land next to or around a house, planted with flowers, trees, or vegetables.
- Example: “They have a beautiful garden with roses and tulips.”
Garage: A building or part of a building used to store a car, usually attached to or near a house.
- Example: “The house has a two-car garage.”
Living room: A room in a house for general everyday use, typically for relaxing or entertaining guests.
- Example: “We watch TV together in the living room every evening.”
Bedroom: A room used for sleeping.
- Example: “I like to read a book before bed in my cozy bedroom.”
Kitchen: A room where food is prepared and cooked.
- Example: “She spends a lot of time cooking in the kitchen.”
Bathroom: A room containing a bath or shower, and typically also a toilet.
- Example: “The bathroom is equipped with a modern shower and a large mirror.”
Attic: The space or room at the top of a house, under the roof, often used for storage.
- Example: “The attic is full of old furniture and boxes.”
Basement: The floor of a building partly or entirely below ground level, often used for storage or as additional living space.
- Example: “They renovated the basement into a guest room.”
Balcony: A platform projecting from the wall of a building, typically enclosed by a railing.
- Example: “We enjoy having breakfast on the balcony.”

How to describe your house in English

Here’s an example of how to describe your house using the vocabulary and phrases from this section:

“I live in a detached house in the suburbs. My house has a beautiful garden with roses and tulips, and there is also a two-car garage. The house has three bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a modern kitchen. The living room is where we spend most of our time watching TV or reading. Upstairs, we have a cozy attic where we store old furniture and boxes. There’s also a basement that we renovated into a guest room. One of my favorite places in the house is the balcony, where I often have breakfast and enjoy the fresh air.”

Apartment

An apartment is a residential unit located within a larger building or complex. Here are some key terms and phrases related to apartments:

Key terms and phrases about apartments in English

Studio apartment: A small apartment that combines a bedroom, living room, and kitchen into one open space, with a separate bathroom.
- Example: “She lives in a studio apartment in the city center.”
Penthouse: A luxurious apartment located on the top floor of a building, often featuring a terrace and high-end amenities.
- Example: “They bought a luxurious penthouse with a stunning view of the skyline.”
Loft: A large, open-plan apartment, usually with high ceilings and big windows, and minimal interior walls separating different areas.
- Example: “The artist converted an old warehouse into a modern loft.”
Condominium (Condo): A type of housing where an individual owns the apartment, but the common areas (such as pools and gyms) are shared among all residents.
- Example: “She owns a condominium with access to a private gym and pool.”
Duplex: A two-story apartment or house divided into two separate living units, each with its own entrance.
- Example: “They moved into a duplex where they live on the first floor and rent out the second floor.”
Balcony: An external platform that extends from the building, often used for relaxation or growing plants.
- Example: “The apartment has a small balcony where we grow herbs and flowers.”
Elevator: A device used to transport people between floors in a building.
- Example: “The building has a modern elevator that takes you directly to the apartment.”
Fire escape: An external structure, usually metal, used for evacuation in case of a fire.
- Example: “The apartment comes with a fire escape that leads down to the alley.”
Landlord: The person who owns the apartment and rents it out to tenants.
- Example: “Our landlord is very responsive to maintenance requests.”
Tenant: The person who rents the apartment from the landlord.
- Example: “The tenants signed a one-year lease for the apartment.”
Lease: The official agreement between the landlord and tenant regarding the rental of the apartment.
- Example: “Before moving in, they carefully read through the lease.”
Utilities: Essential services like electricity, water, and heating required for the apartment.
- Example: “Utilities are included in the rent, so they don’t pay extra for electricity.”
Furnished apartment: An apartment rented with furniture and appliances already provided.
- Example: “They rented a furnished apartment so they didn’t have to buy any furniture.”
Security deposit: A sum of money paid by the tenant to the landlord before moving in, as a guarantee against potential damage.
- Example: “They received their full security deposit back when they moved out.”

How to talk about your apartment in English

Here’s an example of how to describe your apartment using the vocabulary and phrases from this section:

“I live in a cozy studio apartment in the city center. My apartment is on the fifth floor of a building with a modern elevator. The apartment is fully furnished, which made moving in very easy. I have a small balcony where I like to grow herbs and flowers. The rent includes all utilities, so I don’t have to worry about extra bills. I signed a one-year lease with the landlord, who is very responsive to any maintenance issues. Overall, it’s a perfect place for someone living alone like me.”

Room

A room is a separate space in a house, apartment, or other building designed for a specific purpose, such as sleeping, working, or relaxing. Here are some important terms and phrases related to rooms:

Key terms and phrases about rooms in English

Bedroom: A room designed for sleeping, typically furnished with a bed and other furniture like a wardrobe or bedside table.
- Example: “My bedroom is very cozy, with a large bed and soft lighting.”
Living room: A room intended for relaxation and entertaining guests, usually equipped with a sofa, chairs, and a television.
- Example: “We spend most of our time in the living room, watching TV or chatting with friends.”
Dining room: A room where meals are eaten, typically featuring a dining table and chairs.
- Example: “The dining room has a large table that can seat up to eight people.”
Kitchen: A room used for cooking, usually equipped with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and other kitchen appliances.
- Example: “The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances.”
Bathroom: A room designated for personal hygiene, usually containing a bathtub or shower, sink, and toilet.
- Example: “The bathroom has both a bathtub and a shower.”
Study: A room intended for work or study, typically furnished with a desk, bookshelves, and a computer.
- Example: “He spends most of his time in the study, working on his computer.”
Guest room: A room designed for visitors, usually furnished with a bed and accommodations for short-term stay.
- Example: “We prepared the guest room for our friends who are visiting this weekend.”
Closet: A small room or built-in space used for storing clothes and shoes.
- Example: “The bedroom has a large walk-in closet with plenty of space for clothes.”
Hallway: A long, narrow passage that connects different rooms in a house or apartment.
- Example: “The hallway is lined with family photos and leads to all the bedrooms.”
Basement: A room or set of rooms located beneath the main part of the house, often used for storage or additional living space.
- Example: “They renovated the basement into a home theater.”
Attic: A room or space under the roof of a house, often used for storage or as additional living space.
- Example: “The attic was converted into a cozy bedroom.”
Pantry: A small room or cupboard used for storing food and kitchen supplies.
- Example: “The kitchen includes a spacious pantry for all our dry goods.”
Laundry room: A room designated for washing clothes, usually equipped with a washing machine, dryer, and ironing facilities.
- Example: “The laundry room is conveniently located next to the bathroom.”
Playroom: A room designed for children to play in, usually filled with toys, play furniture, and space for activities.
- Example: “The playroom is filled with toys and books for the kids.”
Storage room: A room used for storing items that are not needed daily.
- Example: “We use the storage room to keep our seasonal decorations and extra furniture.”

How to talk about your room in English

Here’s an example of how to describe your room using the vocabulary and phrases from this section:

“My bedroom is my favorite room in the house. It’s very cozy, with a large bed, a walk-in closet, and soft lighting. I also have a small study area in the corner with a desk and a bookshelf. The walls are painted a calming blue, and I have some artwork hanging above the bed. There’s a hallway that leads from my bedroom to the bathroom, and I keep the door to my closet open so I can easily access my clothes in the morning. My bedroom is my sanctuary, where I can relax and unwind after a long day.”

Home furnishing and interior design: Essential appliances and their uses

Furniture

Furniture refers to items used to furnish the interior of a house or apartment, providing functionality, comfort, and style. Here are some key terms related to furniture that are useful for learning English:

Important terms and phrases about furniture

Sofa — A soft seating furniture piece designed for multiple people.
- “We bought a new leather sofa for the living room.”
Armchair — A soft chair with armrests for one person.
- “The armchair in the corner is my favorite place to read.”
Coffee table — A small table typically placed in front of a sofa or armchair.
- “I keep my magazines and a vase of flowers on the coffee table.”
Dining table — A large table used for eating meals.
- “The dining table can seat up to eight people comfortably.”
Bed — Furniture designed for sleeping, usually with a mattress and pillows.
- “I have a queen-sized bed with a soft mattress.”
Wardrobe — A large cabinet for storing clothes.
- “The wardrobe in my bedroom has sliding doors and plenty of space.”
Bookshelf — Furniture for storing books, usually in the form of a vertical shelf.
- “The bookshelf is filled with my favorite novels and reference books.”
Cabinet — A closed piece of furniture with doors used for storing items.
- “The kitchen cabinets are made of oak and have plenty of storage space.”
Desk — Furniture for working or studying, usually with space for writing and a computer.
- “I spend hours at my desk working on my computer.”
Dresser — Furniture with drawers for storing clothes.
- “The dresser has six drawers, perfect for organizing my clothes.”
Nightstand — A small table next to the bed for keeping items needed during the night.
- “I keep a lamp and my favorite book on the nightstand.”
Chest of drawers — A low cabinet with drawers for storing clothes or other items.
- “The chest of drawers is located at the foot of my bed.”
Mirror — A glass surface that reflects an image.
- “There is a large mirror above the dresser.”
Recliner — A chair with a reclining back for added comfort.
- “The recliner is perfect for relaxing after a long day.”
Shelving unit — Furniture with open shelves for storing or displaying items.
- “The shelving unit in the living room displays my collection of figurines.”
Cupboard — Furniture with doors for storing dishes, food, or other items.
- “The cupboard is stocked with dishes and glassware.”
Ottoman — A small, soft piece of furniture without a back, used as a footrest or extra seating.
- “I use the ottoman as both a footrest and a coffee table.”
Couch — Similar to a sofa, but often used for informal settings.
- “The couch in the family room is where we relax and watch movies.”
Vanity — A table with a mirror and drawers for storing cosmetics and personal items.
- “The vanity in the bedroom has a large mirror and plenty of drawer space.”
Sideboard — Furniture with drawers and shelves for storing dishes, usually in the dining room.
- “The sideboard holds our best china and silverware.”
Stool — A small seating piece without a back or armrests.
- “The bar stools in the kitchen are perfect for quick meals.”
Chest — A large wooden box with a lid used for storing items.
- “The old chest in the attic is filled with family heirlooms.”
Futon — A versatile piece of furniture that can be used as both a bed and a sofa.
- “The futon in the guest room can be folded down into a bed.”
Wardrobe — A standalone cabinet for storing clothes and other items.
- “I keep all my dresses and suits in the wardrobe.”
Entertainment center — A large piece of furniture designed to hold a television, electronics, and media devices.
- “The entertainment center houses our TV, stereo, and gaming consoles.”

Describing furniture in your room

When describing furniture in your room in English, focus on their functions and placement. Here’s an example of how to talk about the furniture in your room:

“In my bedroom, I have a comfortable queen-sized bed with a soft mattress and fluffy pillows. Next to the bed, there’s a nightstand where I keep a small lamp and my favorite book. Across from the bed, I have a large wardrobe where I store all my clothes. I also have a desk in the corner with a bookshelf above it, where I do my homework and keep my study materials. There’s a cozy armchair by the window, perfect for reading on a lazy afternoon, and a small ottoman that I use as a footrest. Finally, I have a dresser with a mirror above it, where I get ready every morning.”

Appliances

Important terms and phrases about appliances

Appliances are devices that make our daily lives easier by helping with cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks. Here are some common types of appliances in English:

Refrigerator — A device for storing food at a cold temperature to keep it fresh longer.
- “The refrigerator is stocked with fresh vegetables, milk, and other groceries.”
Freezer — A device for freezing food for long-term storage.
- “I keep ice cream and frozen meals in the freezer.”
Microwave — A device for quickly heating or cooking food using microwaves.
- “I use the microwave to reheat leftovers from dinner.”
Oven — A device for cooking food at high temperatures through baking or roasting.
- “The oven is preheated, and I’m ready to bake the cake.”
Stove — A device with burners for cooking food on the top surface.
- “I’m cooking pasta on the stove for dinner.”
Dishwasher — A device for automatically washing dishes.
- “After the dinner party, I loaded all the dishes into the dishwasher.”
Washing machine — A device for automatically washing clothes.
- “I do laundry every weekend with the washing machine.”
Dryer — A device for drying clothes after washing.
- “The dryer makes laundry days much easier.”
Vacuum cleaner — A device for cleaning floors and other surfaces by sucking up dust and dirt.
- “I vacuum the living room carpet once a week.”
Blender — A device for blending and mixing ingredients into a liquid state.
- “I use the blender to make smoothies every morning.”
Toaster — A device for toasting bread.
- “I like to start my day with toasted bread and butter.”
Coffee maker — A device for brewing coffee.
- “The coffee maker brews my morning coffee while I get ready for work.”
Electric kettle — A device for quickly boiling water.
- “I use the electric kettle to boil water for tea.”
Air conditioner — A device for cooling the air in a room.
- “The air conditioner keeps the apartment cool during hot summers.”
Heater — A device for warming a room.
- “The heater keeps the house warm during winter.”
Fan — A device for creating a flow of air to cool a room.
- “I use a fan in the bedroom to stay cool at night.”
Iron — A device for pressing clothes to remove wrinkles.
- “I always iron my clothes before an important meeting.”
Hairdryer — A device for drying hair quickly.
- “I use a hairdryer to quickly dry my hair after a shower.”
Food processor — A device for processing food, which can perform tasks like chopping, slicing, and blending.
- “The food processor makes chopping vegetables a breeze.”
Rice cooker — A device for automatically cooking rice.
- “The rice cooker prepares perfect rice every time.”

Describing appliances in your home

When describing appliances in your home, mention the specific devices you use and their functions. Here’s an example of how to do this:

“In my kitchen, I have a refrigerator where I store all my fresh groceries, and a freezer for frozen foods. I also use the microwave to quickly heat up meals and the stove to cook dinner. The oven is great for baking, and the dishwasher makes cleaning up afterward a breeze. For laundry, I have a washing machine and a dryer in the laundry room. In the living room, I have an air conditioner to keep the space cool in summer and a heater for warmth in winter. My morning routine includes making coffee with the coffee maker and toasting bread in the toaster.”