Real Life English: Talking About Your House
Real Life English
Have you ever tried to describe your home in English and found yourself stuck after saying, “My house is big... and nice”?
You’re not alone!
Whether you’re preparing for an English exam, chatting with new friends, or showing your home to a visitor, talking about your house is a common but underrated skill.
And here’s the thing—when you talk about your home, you’re not just listing furniture. You’re sharing a part of your life.
Your home says a lot about your lifestyle, values, habits, and personality.
So, if you want to sound more natural and confident in real-life conversations, this topic is a great place to start.
In my 10+ years of teaching English to students from all over the world, I’ve seen how empowering it is when learners finally find the right words to describe something as personal as their living space.
So today, let’s open the door—literally—and dive into how to talk about your house in real life English.
Why Learning to Talk About Your House Matters
Let’s be honest: you’re probably not going to spend hours talking about your curtains or ceiling fans.
But being able to describe your home comes in handy more often than you think.
For example:
In IELTS Speaking Part 1, “Where do you live?” or “Can you describe your home?” is a frequent question.
While renting or buying a property abroad, you’ll need the vocabulary to understand listings and describe your preferences.
Making small talk? Someone might ask, “So, what’s your place like?”
Even in professional settings, explaining your remote work setup or environment can matter.
So yes, this is real-life English in action.
Start with the Basics: Where, What, and Who
Before you talk about the furniture or the style, it helps to start with three things:
🏠 1. Where do you live?
Here, you're talking about location. Think about how detailed you want to be.
“I live in a small town about 30 minutes outside of Mumbai.”
“I’m based in Berlin, in the Prenzlauer Berg district.”
If your area is known for something, say so! This adds color to your description.
“It’s a pretty quiet neighborhood, mostly residential, with lots of parks and cafés.”
🏢 2. What kind of place is it?
Use vocabulary for types of housing:
Apartment / Flat
Studio apartment
House / Detached house
Semi-detached / Duplex
Townhouse / Row house
Bungalow
Cottage
Villa
And add a bit more detail:
“I live in a one-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator… so yes, my legs are very strong!”
👨👩👧👦 3. Who do you live with?
This part adds context and personality:
“I live with my wife and our two kids.” “I share the flat with two friends from college.” “It’s just me and my cat, Oscar.”
Describing Your House: Vocabulary That Paints a Picture
Now that you’ve set the stage, it’s time to walk someone through your house like you’re giving a mini tour.
Let’s go room by room, using practical vocabulary and expressions I’ve seen students benefit from in class.
🚪 1. The Entrance / Hallway
“As you enter, there’s a small hallway with a coat rack and a shoe cabinet.”
Use phrases like:
“You’ll see…”
“There’s a…”
“To the left/right, there’s…”
🍳 2. The Kitchen
A favorite for many! Add adjectives and explain how you use it:
“It’s a modern open kitchen with lots of counter space. I love cooking, so I spend a lot of time here.”
Common vocabulary:
Cabinets
Counter / Countertop
Oven / Stove / Microwave
Sink / Dishwasher
Fridge / Freezer
Backsplash (the wall above the counter—adds style)
Bonus Tip: Talk about habits!
“Every Sunday, I meal prep for the week here—it saves me time.”
🛋️ 3. The Living Room
This is often the coziest place:
“Our living room is bright and airy, with big windows and a comfy sofa.”
Useful words:
Couch / Sofa
Coffee table
Bookshelf
Curtains / Blinds
Rug / Carpet
TV stand
Wall-mounted TV
Pro Tip: Use feelings:
“It feels very warm and welcoming—it’s where we all hang out after dinner.”
🛏️ 4. The Bedroom
Talk about comfort, privacy, or views:
“My bedroom’s pretty simple. Just a queen-sized bed, a wardrobe, and a small desk by the window.”
Good vocabulary:
Bed frame / Mattress / Pillows / Blanket
Wardrobe / Closet
Nightstand / Bedside table
Desk / Chair / Lamp
Want to sound more fluent? Use “cozy,” “spacious,” “cluttered,” “minimalist” to describe the vibe.
🚿 5. The Bathroom
Yes, even this room matters! Try this:
“It has a walk-in shower, a sink with a mirror, and a small cabinet for toiletries.”
Vocabulary:
Shower / Bathtub
Sink / Mirror
Toilet
Towel rack
Tiles / Flooring
🎒 6. Other Spaces
Depending on your home, you might have:
A study / home office
A balcony / terrace
A garden / backyard
A storage room / pantry
A laundry room
“My favorite spot is the balcony. I’ve got some plants there, and it’s perfect for my morning coffee.”
Useful Adjectives to Describe Your Home
Instead of saying “nice” or “big” all the time, here’s a list of alternatives:
Type Adjectives Size Spacious, compact, tiny, roomy, large Style Modern, rustic, minimalist, vintage, traditional Feel Cozy, bright, peaceful, welcoming, quiet Condition Well-maintained, newly renovated, old-fashioned, messy, clean
Mix and match!
“It’s a small but cozy apartment with a rustic feel.”
Common Questions You Might Hear (and How to Answer Them)
Q: What do you like most about your house? A: “Probably the natural light. The living room gets the morning sun, and it makes the space feel alive.”
Q: Do you prefer living in a house or an apartment? Why? A: “I like apartments because they feel safer and are easier to maintain.”
Q: If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be? A: “I’d love to have a bigger kitchen. I enjoy cooking, but it gets cramped when more than one person’s in there.”
Idioms and Expressions to Sound Like a Native
Want to sound more natural? Sprinkle in some home-related idioms:
“Feel at home” – feel comfortable. “My guests always say they feel at home here.”
“There’s no place like home” – home is the best. “Traveling is fun, but there’s no place like home.”
“Make yourself at home” – a polite thing to say to guests.
“A home away from home” – a second home. “My best friend’s place is like a home away from home.”
How to Practice: Simple and Effective Ideas
Want to get better at talking about your house?
Here are some teacher-approved strategies:
1. Record Yourself Giving a Tour
Use your phone. Pretend you’re showing someone around. It builds fluency and confidence.
2. Label Items Around Your Home
Post sticky notes on items with their English names: fridge, cupboard, light switch. Simple, but effective.
3. Talk About Your Dream Home
Even if you don’t live there—describe it! It’s fun and helps you learn aspirational vocabulary like “walk-in closet” or “infinity pool.”
4. Use Real Estate Websites
Sites like Zillow or Rightmove are full of home descriptions. Read them to pick up natural language.
5. Ask a Friend
Describe your home to a friend (or fellow learner) and have them do the same. Ask questions to keep the conversation going.
Conclusion
Let’s face it—learning English isn’t just about exams and grammar rules. It’s about expressing your life. And what could be more personal than the space you live in?
When you learn to describe your home with clarity and confidence, you’re doing more than using new words. You’re building connection, whether it’s with a friend, an examiner, or someone halfway across the world on a video call.
So tonight, as you walk from your kitchen to your bedroom, take a moment. Look around. Think in English. And maybe say to yourself:
“This is my cozy, peaceful, two-bedroom apartment—and it’s my little world.”
And trust me—as someone who’s taught thousands of students to do just that—you’re one step closer to mastering real-life English.
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