HOUSE PLANNING 167
PLAYROOMS

A play room of some kind is indispensable in a home where the
members of the family are of various ages and tastes, so that noisy
activities and games can be relegated to this room. Even the man
of average means, under normal conditions, now has leisure time
in which to relax, play games, and dance. Daughters should have
a place away from the family group for their dates. Small chil-
dren, too, need indoor play space in unpleasant weather. All these
wants can be met by one well-planned recreation room. It may
be located in the attic, first floor, or basement. See page 211.

GARAGES OR MOTOR ROOMS

It is not logical to place the garage at the rear of a lot where it
definitely spoils the landscape, necessitating an ugly long driveway.
Its position there is a holdover from the days when stables were
placed far off because of their stench. For reasons of safety, con-
venience, and appearance, the motor room should be made a part
of the house proper. There it can be heated from the central
system and can be reached in comfort. The best solutions to this
problem incorporate the garage into the total house design so suc-
cessfully that it does not appear as an unrelated unit. A corner
lot permitting the motor room to open on the side street is espe-
cially suitable for this arrangement. A lot that slopes to one side
across the front permits the garage to be located on the low side
under the house. The motor room that faces the front street may
be minimized by placing it about 6 feet farther back than the
front line of the house. See page 192. Carefully detailed or
paneled doors add interest to the house design. Automatic door-
closing devices help to prevent the possibility of garage doors being
left ajar. If possible, the less desirable northern exposure should
be assigned to the motor room, which would then help to protect
the house from the north wind.

The disadvantages of an attached garage are that often it is not
well designed, that it decreases first-floor window space, that it
adds to the cost of the house in localities where fireproof walls are
required, and that it sometimes increases the cost of insurance.
Car ports may replace garages in mild climates. See page 193.