'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

My apologies to anyone with a Great Room!

But what is the difference between a GR and a living room?

We looked at a house with a great room and it looked like a LR to me. There was also a smaller room, which we used to call a 'den', the realtor said 'it would make a great media room'

It's kind of pretentious, isn't it?

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I think a Great Room is a living room/den. It's funny to hear that term on this site because I thought it was a New England thing. I never heard it before my friends from Boston got their house. They didn't know what I was talking about when I say 'den.' They always say, 'oh you mean the Great Room?'

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

the term 'great' is usually used to describe the size of the room. meaning, the kitchen and den are open to one another creating a great BIG room.

ETA: i have only heard it used in thhis context (kitchen open to den). perhaps the realtor was helping you envision what could be done to the room when she said 'this could be a great media room.'

i do not think it is pretentious at all, then again, maybe i am not understanding your question.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

My question is has it been the experience of any other buyers that RE agents will use the term 'great room' to describe what is really or what is commonly called a living room.

When we were apt. hunting in the city realtors would re-name neighborhoods to make them sound more desirable. I'm wondering if the term great room is a marketing tool.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

We went out looking with at least 10 different realtors and saw about 100 houses and not one of them used that term. They also didn't use the term 'media room.' I can't imagine it being a marketing tool because, at least to me, it's not a selling point. A house is what it is regardless of what you call the rooms, in my opinion.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

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Posted by kpny622

We went out looking with at least 10 different realtors and saw about 100 houses and not one of them used that term. They also didn't use the term 'media room.' I can't imagine it being a marketing tool because, at least to me, it's not a selling point. A house is what it is regardless of what you call the rooms, in my opinion.

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I agree. I hate being snowballed.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

my parents had what they called a 'great room' which spanned 2 stories and had glass windows from top to bottom. that's what i thought a great room was, but have no clue...

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I think a great room is when the kitchen is open to the the family room or living room.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

When we were building our house, the floor plans had a Den and a LR. There is a wall the devides the rooms. If we chose to, we could habe eliminated the wall and have one big room, thus a 'Great' Room

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

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Posted by dengal

When we were building our house, the floor plans had a Den and a LR. There is a wall the devides the rooms. If we chose to, we could habe eliminated the wall and have one big room, thus a 'Great' Room

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we're taking down the wall between our living room and family room - thus creating a great room (which is also fairly open to the kitchen).

A great room is NOT just a living room, but generally a [large] combo Living/Family room...

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I have to be honest.... I had NEVER heard of the term until I started watching the Sopranos. Carmella is always talking about the'r 'great room'.

See.... it IS possible to learn from TV.
Amy

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I always used the term 'Great Room' when describing a room that was two stories high...I have no idea how this reference started, I just always associate that image.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I'v eonly hear it on decoratign shows. Same thing with 'bunus room' what the heck doe sthat mean?

It dont'kwo if iti is a marketign tool, or more liek a trend. I had never heard of a family room unitl my autn moved to a neer house upstate int eh 80s. I didn't understand whey it had two lviing rooms

I guess 'den': is passe? Very 70's?
And yes I thik a great room should be, well great. I picture it big & open , whith high ceilings & a piano!

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I thought a great room was a big livingroom?

My dad has one in his house... two story ceiling... gigantic windows.

I call it the waste of space room that know one ever goes in room.

Re: 'Great Room': Real Estate catchword or a real thing?

I first heard the term years ago when my parents bought a house in Arizona. The 'great room' was basically a living room, with a raised platform dining area on one end. I'm guessing it was about 20 x 40 or so in size, and it had a peaked, exposed beam ceiling that added to the height.

I've mostly seen the term used to describe a larger than average living area, one that has multiple area for seating, conversation, etc. Not necessarily open to a kitchen.

I think the term has been abused lately, at least on LI, to make a house seem grander than it is. I've seen listings with 'great rooms' that are living rooms smaller than the one we have in our in-line Ranch!

Unless you're looking on the north shore gold coast or out on Dune Rd. in the Hamptons, you're probably not seeing many true 'great rooms'