Of course homes aren't the same as they were three hundred years ago. The availability of new building materials, indoor heating systems, technology and family size of all affected the way we build our homes. First American properties were very small, just one room one storey structures. During the eighteenth century older houses were changed to make the ceilings higher and parlours were added to the homes of the wealthy. Parlour isn't really a word we use these days but, it describes a formal room where guests were entertained. I guess now we call it a living room anyway in nineteen century cities large numbers of small row houses were built and most of them had parlours. This was the start of the home that Americans are familiar with today. One which has both public and private areas and where each room has a particular functions such as, bedroom, kitchen or home office.