The Secret Language of New Homes: A Glossary for Feature Terminology

If you’ve ever toured a new home or browsed a listing and thought, “What exactly is a loggia?” or “Is a keeping room different from a den?” — you’re not alone. Builders love to use their own vocabulary when describing features, and sometimes those terms sound a little foreign.

Over the years, I’ve learned that understanding these words not only helps buyers make sense of floorplans and brochures, but also opens up a new way of imagining how you’ll actually live in your home.

Here’s your insider’s guide to the most common (and sometimes confusing) terms you’ll hear in new home descriptions.

Porte-Cochère

Pronounced port-co-SHARE, this is a covered driveway or entryway where a car can pull in so passengers step out without being exposed to rain or snow. Think of it as a more elegant version of a carport.

Loggia

An open-air, covered gallery framed by arches or columns. Inspired by Mediterranean architecture, it’s the perfect space for lounging outdoors while still feeling tucked away.

Lanai

Borrowed from Hawaii, a lanai is an outdoor living space covered by a roof. In many new homes, lanais extend off the back of the house and often include seating, outdoor kitchens, or fireplaces.

Keeping Room

A cozy sitting area located off the kitchen. Historically, it kept guests warm by the fire while meals were prepared. Today, it’s a comfortable lounge space where friends and family can gather without crowding the cook.

Scullery

Think of this as the next level up from a butler’s pantry. A scullery is a secondary prep space or hidden mini-kitchen where you can tuck away dishes, store small appliances, and keep the main kitchen spotless when entertaining.

Butler’s Pantry

Traditionally used for staging and serving, a butler’s pantry is a pass-through space between the kitchen and dining room. In modern homes, it often doubles as extra storage, a coffee station, or even a prep area with a small sink or wine fridge.

Appliance Garage

Not a garage for your car—but for your small appliances. An appliance garage is a built-in cabinet nook designed to hide everyday items like toasters, blenders, or coffee makers, keeping countertops clean and clutter-free.

Galerie / Galleria

Not just for art — in home design, a galleria is a wide, often dramatic hallway with features like vaulted ceilings, skylights, or oversized windows. It connects spaces but also makes an architectural statement.

Morning Room

A bright sitting or dining area designed to capture the morning light. It’s usually located off the kitchen or facing the backyard, and today often doubles as a sunroom.

Primary Suite

The updated industry term for “master suite.” In new homes, a primary suite usually includes an oversized bedroom, spa-style bathroom, and a walk-in closet (or two). In higher-end builds, it may even feel like its own private wing.

Ensuite

Simply put, an ensuite is a bathroom directly connected to a bedroom. The term comes from the French word for “in sequence” or “attached.” In today’s new homes, ensuites often include double vanities, walk-in showers, and soaking tubs, creating a private retreat within the bedroom.

Jack & Jill Bathroom

A Jack & Jill bathroom is a shared bathroom that connects directly to two bedrooms. Each side typically has its own sink or vanity, while sharing a central tub/shower and toilet. It’s an efficient setup—ideal for kids or siblings—giving everyone privacy while still sharing space.

Owner’s Retreat

More than a primary suite, an owner’s retreat adds extra living space—like a sitting area, fireplace, spa-inspired bath, or even a private balcony. It’s designed to feel like a personal sanctuary.

Summer Kitchen

Also called an outdoor kitchen, this is a fully built-in cooking and entertaining space outside. Think grills, pizza ovens, prep counters, sinks, and refrigeration—all designed for seamless alfresco living.

Wine Room / Cellar

Whether it’s a sleek, glass-enclosed display in a modern home or a traditional climate-controlled cellar, a wine room is both functional and a stylish focal point.

Breakfast Bar

A raised countertop extension—often part of the kitchen island—perfect for quick meals, homework time, or sipping coffee while chatting with the cook.

ODK (Outdoor Kitchen)

On floorplans, ODK usually stands for Outdoor Kitchen. It’s a full setup for entertaining outside, often with grills, smokers, pizza ovens, sinks, and bar seating.
(In some ultra-custom homes, ODK can also mean “Owner’s Dressing Kitchen” — a private coffee or prep area tucked into the primary suite.)

Terrace vs. Veranda vs. Balcony

• Terrace: A large, flat outdoor space, sometimes rooftop.

• Veranda: A covered porch, often wrapping around part of the home.

• Balcony: A smaller platform that projects from an upper floor, typically with railings.

Final Thought

New homes come with a language all their own. Once you learn the terminology, floorplans and listings suddenly come alive—because each word describes more than a space. It describes how you’ll live in it, how it will feel, and the lifestyle it creates.

When you understand the vocabulary, you don’t just see a house. You start to picture your life unfolding inside it.