Vertical blinds can create privacy in smaller homes

Across the country, younger homeowners seem to be leaning toward smaller and more affordable houses, and many are now looking for savvy ways to decorate their living spaces, according to Kitchen and Bath Design News.

"Builders are increasingly gearing their homes to the needs of first-time buyers, and we expect the trend to continue in the period ahead as the economy begins generating more jobs and more people in their twenties form households," Bob Jones, chairman of the National Association of Homebuilders, told the news provider.

The organization recently conducted a survey that confirmed these findings. It also discovered that the kitchen has become a multi-functional hub for many households, because homeowners opt for fewer rooms.

Some of the leading factors that have contributed to this shift in preferences include the cheaper energy costs to maintaining a smaller home, along with more rigid credit standards and far less interest in purchasing a home as a way to invest in the future.

It can sometimes be difficult to create private spaces in modest-sized homes. Those who are looking to make a space for intimate may want to consider using vertical blinds as window treatments on sliding glass doors. This can make for a classy divider and make an abode feel larger.