Many builders and homeowners think of bathroom fans as a necessary evil - necessary to get rid of excess moisture, especially in today's tighter homes, but evil because of their noise and look.

One of the smallest rooms in the home - the powder room - packs a lot of punch these days. Why? It takes fewer extravagant finishes to make an impact in a small room than it does to decorate a huge space.

Small area helps big time with organizing the household

Stairs do more than take us from top to bottom and back again. They also offer an opportunity to make a design statement.

The Roanoke (Va.) Regional Housing Network has launched the first International Cradle to Cradle Housing Design and Construction Competition.

The Kitchen/Bath Industry Show last month in Chicago revealed an overwhelming trend: Over-the-counter sinks are big in bathrooms, especially powder rooms.

These areas can really cook nearly year-round.

Walkability, especially to retail, restaurants and services, figures big in the parlance of traditional neighborhood design. In an urban setting, builders can place TND communities near an existing retail core.

The popularity of outdoor living areas grows each year, especially where nature’s elements endanger the products that create the spaces buyers love.