#housingterms

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.

Finding an apartment in a new country can feel scary.

You need to learn new words and understand how to talk with landlords.

I will help you learn the English you need for apartment hunting.

Basic Apartment Words You Need to Know

When you look for an apartment, you will hear many new words. Let's learn the most important ones first.

Rent is the money you pay each month to live in the apartment. For example, "The rent is $800 per month."

A landlord is the person who owns the apartment. They decide who can live there. Sometimes you might also hear property manager. This is a person who works for the landlord.

A lease is a paper that says you can live in the apartment. It tells you the rules and how much you pay. Most leases are for 12 months.

Deposit is extra money you pay before moving in. You get this money back when you move out if the apartment is clean and not broken. There are two types:

Security deposit: Usually one month's rent Pet deposit: Extra money if you have a cat or dog

Utilities are things like electricity, water, gas, and internet. Sometimes the rent includes utilities. Sometimes you pay for them yourself.

Types of Apartments and Housing

Understanding different types of homes will help you search better.

A studio apartment is one big room with a kitchen and bathroom. The bedroom, living room, and kitchen are all in one space. This is good for one person and costs less money.

A one-bedroom apartment has a separate bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. This gives you more space but costs more than a studio.

A two-bedroom apartment has two bedrooms. You can live with a roommate to split the cost.

Shared housing means you rent one room in a house or apartment. You share the kitchen and living room with other people. This saves money.

Furnished apartments come with furniture like beds, tables, and chairs. Unfurnished means empty - you need to bring your own furniture.

Important Rental Terms

These terms appear in most rental conversations and papers.

Application fee is money you pay to apply for an apartment. You pay this even if you don't get the apartment. It usually costs $50 to $200.

Credit check is when the landlord looks at your history of paying bills. Good credit means you pay bills on time. Bad credit makes it harder to get an apartment.

References are people who can say good things about you. Landlords want to call your previous landlords, employers, or friends.

Move-in date is when you can start living in the apartment. Move-out date is when you must leave.

Parking can cost extra money. Some apartments include one parking space. Others charge $50 to $200 per month for parking.

Laundry facilities might be in your apartment, in the building, or you might need to go to a laundromat.

The Application Process

Applying for an apartment has several steps. Here's what usually happens:

First, you view or tour the apartment. This means you go inside and look around. Ask questions like:

"When is it available?" "Are pets allowed?" "Is parking included?"

If you like the apartment, you submit an application. You need to bring:

Completed application form Application fee (cash or check) Proof of income (pay stubs or bank statements) ID (passport or driver's license) Contact information for references

The landlord will process your application. This takes 1-7 days. They check your credit, call your references, and make sure you earn enough money.

If approved, you sign the lease. Read everything carefully before signing. Ask questions about anything you don't understand.

How to Negotiate Rent and Terms

Negotiation means talking to get a better deal. In some places, you can negotiate. In others, the price is fixed. Here are simple phrases to try:

For rent price:

"Is there any flexibility on the rent?" "Would you consider $50 less per month?" "Can you match this price I found at another place?"

For move-in costs:

"Can you waive the application fee?" "Would you accept a smaller security deposit?" "Can you include utilities in the rent?"

For lease terms:

"Can I have a shorter lease?" "Is early termination possible?" "Can I paint the walls?"

Remember, negotiation works best when:

The apartment has been empty for a long time You have good credit and income You're polite and respectful You can move in quickly

Questions to Ask During Your Apartment Search

Asking good questions shows you are serious and helps you avoid problems later.

About money:

"What is the total monthly cost?" "Which utilities are included?" "Are there any extra fees?" "When is rent due each month?" "How do I pay rent?"

About the apartment:

"How old is the building?" "Is there air conditioning?" "How is the water pressure?" "Does the apartment get good sunlight?" "Are there any problems I should know about?"

About rules:

"Are pets allowed?" "Can I have guests overnight?" "Is smoking allowed?" "Can I make small changes to the apartment?"

About the neighborhood:

"Is parking easy to find?" "How safe is this area?" "Where is the nearest grocery store?" "How is public transportation?"

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Some landlords or apartments might have problems. Watch for these warning signs:

Money red flags:

Asking for rent before you see the apartment Demanding cash only Asking for more than two months' rent upfront No receipt for payments

Apartment red flags:

Landlord won't let you see the apartment Apartment is much cheaper than others in the area Many things are broken Previous tenant's belongings still there

Communication red flags:

Landlord doesn't answer questions Pressure to sign quickly No written lease Landlord seems unprofessional

Useful Phrases for Apartment Hunting

Practice these sentences before you start looking:

When calling about apartments:

"Hi, I'm calling about the apartment for rent." "Is it still available?" "Can I schedule a viewing?" "What are your requirements for tenants?"

During apartment visits:

"This looks nice. What's included in the rent?" "May I take some pictures?" "When would I be able to move in?" "What's the next step if I'm interested?"

When negotiating:

"I'm very interested, but my budget is..." "Would you consider..." "Is there any room for negotiation?" "Can we discuss the terms?"

When you're ready to apply:

"I'd like to submit an application." "What documents do you need?" "How long does the approval process take?" "When can I sign the lease?"

Tips for Successful Apartment Hunting

These tips will help you find a good apartment faster:

Prepare your documents early. Have copies of your ID, pay stubs, and bank statements ready. This shows landlords you are organized.

Be honest about your situation. If you have bad credit or no rental history, explain your situation. Many landlords will work with honest people.

Act quickly in competitive markets. Good apartments go fast. Be ready to apply the same day you see an apartment you like.

Take notes and pictures. After seeing many apartments, you might forget details. Write down important information about each place.

Trust your feelings. If something feels wrong, don't ignore that feeling. There are many apartments available.

Conclusion

Learning apartment hunting English takes practice, but these words and phrases will help you start. Remember to be patient with yourself as you learn. Most landlords understand that English might be your second language.

The most important things to remember are: ask questions, read everything carefully, and don't rush into signing a lease. Take time to understand what you're agreeing to.

With practice, apartment hunting will become easier. Soon you'll feel confident talking with landlords and understanding rental terms. Good luck finding your new home!