creative writing describing a old house

How To Describe a House in Writing (21 Tips for Beginners)

Enhance your storytelling by vividly describing houses and setting the perfect scene for your readers.

Here is how to describe a house in writing:

Describe a house in fiction by considering its architecture, size, color, materials, landscaping, décor, furniture, lighting, sounds, smells, age, and condition. Also explain the house’s location, unique features, atmosphere, emotional response, personal memories, and historical context.

In this article, you’ll learn all the best tips for how to describe a house in writing.

How To Describe a House in Writing (21 Things You Must Know)

Table of Contents

When it comes to describing a house in your writing, here are 21 essential aspects to consider:

• Architecture: The architecture of a house can give readers a quick snapshot of its character. Victorian homes might be associated with history and elegance, modern homes with sleekness and efficiency, and colonial homes with tradition and solidity. An old, sprawling manor with many gables and chimneys gives off a different vibe than a compact, glass-walled contemporary home.
• Size: The size of a house can say much about the people living in it. A massive mansion might imply wealth or social status, while a cozy cottage may indicate a simpler lifestyle. The scale of the house can affect the overall atmosphere and dynamics of the story.
• Color: Color can set the tone for a house description. A red-brick house may evoke feelings of warmth and homeliness, while a grey stone mansion may feel imposing or cold. Use color to create an emotional response in your readers.
• Materials: The materials used in the house’s construction can add texture to your descriptions. The roughness of stone, the coolness of metal, the warmth of wood – these sensory details can make your descriptions more vivid and engaging.
• Landscaping: The surrounding environment and garden can also play a significant role in setting the scene. A well-kept garden may indicate the owners’ pride and care, while an overgrown yard may hint at neglect or mystery.
• Windows and Doors: Windows and doors can be symbolic gateways to the souls of a house. They can offer views into the world outside or hide secrets within. Their size, shape, and detail can add depth to your house description.
• Rooms: The arrangement and purpose of rooms can tell readers a lot about the inhabitants’ lives. A house with many bedrooms might hint at a large family, while a house with a spacious home office could suggest a work-from-home professional.
• Decor: The decor of a house can reflect the tastes and personalities of its inhabitants. Is the house filled with antique furniture and paintings, or is it minimalist and modern? This can greatly influence the atmosphere of the house.
• Furniture: Furniture adds functionality and personality to a house. A plush velvet couch might indicate luxury, while a worn but comfortable armchair may suggest warmth and comfort. Different pieces can also hint at the activities and priorities of the people living in the house.
• Lighting: Lighting can drastically alter the mood of a scene. Bright, natural light streaming through a window can create an atmosphere of cheerfulness and energy, while dim artificial lighting can make a room feel cozy or somber.
• Sounds: Sounds like the creaking of stairs, the ticking of a grandfather clock, or wind whistling through gaps can add a layer of sensory experience, making the scene more immersive and engaging.
• Smell: The smell of a house can evoke strong emotions and memories in readers. The scent of fresh paint could suggest new beginnings, while the musty smell of old books in the library might bring a sense of nostalgia.
• Age: The age of a house can add a historical dimension to your story. An old house might hold many secrets and stories within its walls, while a new house could symbolize a fresh start or modernity.
• Condition: The condition of the house can reflect its history and care. A house in good repair might suggest attentive owners, while a rundown house might indicate neglect, hardship, or abandonment.
• Location: The location of the house can set the context for your story. A house in a bustling city will have a different vibe compared to a house in a quiet countryside or a suburban neighborhood.
• Unique Features: Unique architectural features like a hidden room, a beautiful stained-glass window, or an ornate fireplace can add interest to your house description and serve as key points in your narrative.
• Atmosphere: The overall vibe or mood of the house can be a critical aspect of your description. Whether it’s a cozy, warm ambiance, a chilly, eerie vibe, or a sterile, impersonal atmosphere, this can greatly influence how readers perceive the house.
• Emotional Response: How your protagonist feels about the house can guide readers’ emotions as well. A character may feel comfort and safety within their home, fear and unease in a stranger’s house, or nostalgia and longing in a childhood home.
• Weather: The weather can dramatically affect how a house is perceived. A house may seem warm and welcoming with sunshine bathing its facade, while the same house can appear ominous and foreboding in a thunderstorm.
• Personal Memories: If your character has a history with the house, personal memories can add depth to your description. Memories of happy family dinners, traumatic events, or mundane daily activities can color a character’s perception of the house.
• Historical Context: If the house is set in a particular historical period, including relevant details can make the description more authentic and immersive. This could involve architectural styles of the period, materials commonly used in that era, or historical events associated with the house or location.

Here is a video I made about how to describe a house in writing:

Examples of House Descriptions

Every house has a story to tell, and it’s your job as a writer to relay it effectively.

Whether it’s a crumbling castle or a modern penthouse, the detail lies in your description.

Here are five examples.

Victorian House

Standing proudly at the corner of the street, the grand Victorian house commands attention with its ornate wooden detailing, stained glass windows, and a turret projecting into the sky.

Its paint, though peeling slightly, remains a vibrant royal blue, reflecting a subtle charm of antiquity.

The scent of roses wafts from the beautifully manicured garden, surrounding the property like an idyllic frame. Inside, the house remains faithful to its period, decorated with heavy drapes, antique furniture, and fireplaces in nearly every room.

Walking through the house is like stepping back in time.

Modern House

The modern house, all clean lines and glass, glows like a jewel against the cityscape.

Its tall, floor-to-ceiling windows invite light to play on the polished concrete floors, creating an ever-changing pattern throughout the day.

Minimalistic furniture, curated artwork, and a sleek stainless-steel kitchen give it a sense of chic sophistication.

An underlying aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a hint of sandalwood incense gives the house a warm, welcoming feel.

It stands as a testament to architectural innovation and luxury living.

Nestled in a lush, green valley, the charming stone cottage emanates a sense of tranquility.

Its ivy-clad walls, thatched roof, and quaint wooden doors seem lifted straight from a fairy-tale. Inside, the cottage is warm and cozy, with an open hearth always burning and worn, comfortable furniture.

The smell of home-cooked meals and the sound of wind rustling through the trees outside create an ambiance of serenity and homeliness.

It’s a picture of rustic simplicity and the perfect retreat from the hectic pace of the world.

The old farmhouse, with its weathered white paint and wrap-around porch, is the heart of the sprawling property.

Its large, open kitchen hums with activity, smelling of fresh bread and ripe apples from the surrounding orchard.

An old grandfather clock ticks rhythmically in the living room, filled with well-used furniture and family photos. The sound of livestock and the fresh scent of hay carry in through the open windows.

Despite its age, the farmhouse radiates warmth and the quintessence of home.

Situated in the heart of the city, the apartment is a mix of modern style and comfortable living.

It showcases an open concept layout, with a glass wall revealing an impressive view of the bustling city.

High-end appliances, a plush sectional, and a strategically placed bookshelf loaded with books of various genres lend a personality to the place.

The sound of jazz playing softly complements the hum of the city beyond. It’s a sanctuary amidst the urban chaos.

Words To Use to Describe a House in Writing

Here is a chart I put together to help you describe a house in writing:

How Do You Describe a Beautiful House?

Describing a beautiful house involves a balance of physical details and emotional responses.

You’ll want to communicate not only what the house looks like, but also how it makes one feel.

Begin with the house’s exterior, focusing on its architectural style, structure, and symmetry.

Discuss its color scheme, materials used, and the overall aesthetics.

You could describe a charming thatched cottage nestled amidst vibrant flowerbeds, a majestic Victorian manor with intricate woodwork, or a sleek modern house with clean lines and glass facades.

Don’t forget to include its surroundings and how they complement the house – a well-manicured lawn, a serene backdrop of trees, or a stunning waterfront view can all contribute to the house’s beauty.

For the interior, provide details about the layout, furniture, decor, and lighting.

Describe large, sunlit rooms, high ceilings, tasteful décor, elegant furniture, or perhaps a spectacular view from a floor-to-ceiling window.

You might describe a kitchen filled with modern appliances and smooth marble countertops, a living room with plush, comfortable seating and warm lighting, or a bedroom that offers a peaceful sanctuary with its muted colors and soft textiles.

Most importantly, convey the feelings the house invokes.

A beautiful house might make one feel relaxed, enchanted, or awed. It could emanate a sense of warmth, tranquility, or sophistication.

Using sensory details and emotive language can help readers not only visualize the house’s beauty but also experience the atmosphere it creates.

How To Describe a Mansion in a Story

When describing a mansion in a story, you want to convey its size, grandeur, and luxury.

Begin with a bird’s eye view of the mansion – its sprawling grounds, multiple floors, vast gardens, perhaps even a pool or a tennis court.

Highlight architectural features that communicate its scale and opulence, such as tall columns, grand archways, a long, winding driveway, or vast, manicured lawns.

For the interior, describe large, opulent rooms filled with luxurious furnishings.

The entrance could feature a grand staircase, the living room could have soaring ceilings and elaborate chandeliers, and the dining room could comfortably seat dozens.

Describe materials and features that indicate wealth and taste, such as marble floors, silk draperies, gold leaf details, or art collections.

Don’t forget other rooms that might be found in a mansion, such as a library, a game room, a home theater, or a wine cellar.

A mansion can also create a particular atmosphere and emotional response.

It might feel intimidating due to its size, imposing due to its grandeur, or fascinating due to its luxury.

However, a mansion could also be depicted as a lonely, echoing space, demonstrating that bigger doesn’t always mean homelier.

As always, remember to use sensory details to bring the mansion alive in your reader’s mind – the echoing footfalls on marble floors, the soft glow of a chandelier, the subtle scent of polished wood, and the hushed silence that fills its spacious rooms.

Final Thoughts: How To Describe a House in Writing

You can also describe houses based on the mood or genre of a scene of story (romantic, horror, etc.)

Happy literary house hunting!

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Writing Nestling

How To Describe A House In Writing (11 Best Ways)

Describing a house in writing is more than just a portrayal of bricks and mortar; it’s an intricate art form, a literary journey through the architecture of imagination.

In this craft, writers have the power to create vibrant, evocative spaces that transcend mere physical descriptions and serve as living canvases for the stories they wish to tell.

Whether it’s a cozy cottage nestled in the heart of a forest, a grand mansion steeped in history, or a modern city apartment with all the trappings of contemporary life, the process of painting the house with words is an opportunity to evoke emotions, kindle memories, and transport readers into the very essence of a narrative.

This exploration, much like a tour through a house’s rooms, is a journey through the senses, an unraveling of histories, and a passage into the heart of storytelling itself.

In this guide, we will embark on a journey of understanding and mastering the art of describing a house in writing , encompassing all its intricate facets to bring vivid life to our stories.

Table of Contents

How To Describe A House In Writing

Describing a house in writing involves capturing its key features, atmosphere, and characteristics. Here’s a step-by-step process for doing so:

Select Your Perspective

Decide whether you are describing the house as an objective observer, a potential buyer, or someone with emotional ties to it. Your perspective will influence the tone and focus of your description.

Observe and Take Notes

Spend some time in and around the house, noting down its details. Pay attention to both the exterior and interior. Take notes on architectural elements, landscaping, and the overall condition.

Start with an Introduction

Begin your description with a captivating introduction. Mention the location, any unique historical or architectural aspects, and the overall vibe of the house.

Exterior Description

Describe the architectural style, such as Victorian, modern, colonial, etc. Mention the size and layout of the house, including the number of stories. Highlight any distinctive exterior features like a front porch, dormer windows, or a landscaped garden. Comment on the condition of the exterior – is it well-maintained or in need of repairs?

Interior Description:

Walk through each room, starting with the main living spaces. Describe the layout, size, and purpose of each room (kitchen, living room, bedrooms, etc.).Note any unique or standout features, like a fireplace, hardwood floors, or high ceilings.

Discuss the decor, paint colors, and overall interior design. Emphasize the lighting, natural and artificial, and how it contributes to the ambiance.

Atmosphere and Feel:

Discuss the overall atmosphere of the house. Is it cozy, spacious, elegant, or modern? Describe how it makes you feel or the emotions it evokes.

Mention any scents or sounds that are particularly notable, such as the scent of freshly baked cookies or the sound of a crackling fireplace.

Outdoor Features:

Include details about the yard, garden, or outdoor spaces. Discuss any amenities like a pool, patio, or outdoor kitchen. Note the views from different areas of the property.

History and Background:

If applicable, provide some historical or personal context. Has the house been in the family for generations, or is it a new construction with an interesting backstory?

Maintenance and Upkeep:

Mention the condition of the house, whether it’s well-maintained, in need of renovation, or recently updated.

Conclusion:

Summarize the key points of your description. Mention any standout features or elements that make this house unique. Convey your overall impression and whether you would recommend it to someone with specific preferences.

Proofread and Edit

After writing your description, proofread it for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Make any necessary revisions to ensure the text flows well.

By following these steps , you can create a comprehensive and engaging description of a house in writing, whether for a real estate listing, a personal project, or any other purpose.

Pre-writing Preparation

Pre-writing preparation is the enchanted gateway where your imagination takes its first exhilarating steps into the realm of creativity.

It’s your backstage pass to the show of words, where you gather sparks of inspiration, setting them alight like stars in the night sky of your mind.

With a mood board as your treasure map and the world as your canvas, you define the very purpose of your words, crafting a compass that will guide your reader through the uncharted terrain of your imagination.

In this ephemeral moment before pen meets paper or fingers touch keys, you are the architect of dreams, the weaver of tales, and the creator of worlds.

Observation and Note-Taking

Observation and note-taking are your secret agents in the espionage of reality, your magnifying glass in the quest for hidden treasures.

They’re like the watchful sentinels who stand guard at the gateway between your senses and your soul. As you venture into the world, they capture the minuscule whispers of the wind, the symphony of colors dancing in a sunset, and the delicate aroma of memories tucked in the corners of a room.

In their meticulous scribbles and sketches, you unearth the fossils of emotions and the jewels of detail, piecing together the puzzle of existence.

These notes are the breadcrumbs that lead you back to the forgotten realms of your experiences, and when the time comes to craft your tales, they transform into the keys unlocking the doors of enchantment for your readers.

Visit a real house or imagine one in detail

Whether you choose to visit a tangible, real house or conjure one from the ethereal fabric of your imagination, the journey is equally captivating.

Stepping into a real house is like embarking on an archaeological expedition, unearthing layers of history and stories embedded in its walls.

Each creaking floorboard and fading wallpaper tells a unique narrative, and your senses become detectives seeking clues to its past.

Conversely, when you create a house within your mind, you become an architect, fashioning every brick and beam with meticulous intention.

You have the power to construct a world from the ground up, shaping the very essence of your characters’ lives. Whether real or imagined, these houses are portals to parallel worlds, inviting you to explore the infinite possibilities of human experience and imagination.

Use all senses for a comprehensive description

To paint a truly immersive picture, one must employ all the senses, as they are the palette of life’s canvas. It’s not just about what the eye beholds; it’s the symphony of sensations that makes a description come alive.

The sight captures the grandeur of a house’s architecture, the play of colors, and the interplay of light and shadow. Sound brings us the rustle of leaves in the breeze or the creaking of a wooden floorboard. The subtle fragrances, both inviting and peculiar, breathe life into the atmosphere.

Touch reveals the texture of walls, the warmth of sunlight, and the coolness of marble floors. Even taste, though less common, can be evoked by describing the air’s flavor, or perhaps the lingering essence of a meal in the air.

When all these senses converge, a description transcends words and becomes an experience, transporting the reader into the very heart of the scene.

Organizing Your Description

Organizing your description is like composing a symphony of words, where you’re the conductor orchestrating the reader’s journey through the labyrinth of your imagination.

It’s the blueprint, the road map, the compass that ensures your storytelling ship sails smoothly through the unpredictable seas of prose.

Every carefully chosen word, each sensory detail, and every pause is a note in the grand opus of your description.

Your canvas is the reader’s mind, and you’re the master artist, crafting their visual and emotional experience. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it, creating a literary choreography that dances through the reader’s senses, leaving an indelible footprint in their imagination.

Describing the Exterior

Describing the exterior of a house is like capturing the essence of a soul in architectural form. It’s the first impression, the handshake of the building with the world.

The exterior tells a story, whispering secrets of the past through the choice of materials, the lines and curves of its design, and the weathered patina of time.

Each brick, window, and shingle is a character in the drama of its existence, and the surrounding landscape is the stage upon which this architectural performance unfolds.

From the ornate grandeur of a Victorian mansion to the sleek, modern lines of a minimalist marvel, the exterior is a canvas where the artist of words paints an evocative masterpiece, inviting readers to wander through its living history.

Architectural style and historical context

Describing the architectural style and historical context of a house is like opening a time capsule of human ingenuity. It’s a journey through the annals of history, a glimpse into the tapestry of culture, and an exploration of the evolving language of design.

Architectural style speaks volumes about the era in which a house was born, whether it’s the Gothic spires of the medieval period or the sleek lines of mid-century modernism.

Each style is a chapter in the grand narrative of human civilization, embodying the values, aspirations, and artistic trends of its time.

As a writer, delving into historical context is like becoming an archaeologist, unearthing the buried treasures of a bygone age.

It’s a form of storytelling that breathes life into inanimate structures, giving them a voice that whispers the secrets of their creation and the echoes of those who once dwelled within their walls.

Setting and surroundings

The setting and surroundings of a house are the ever-shifting stage upon which the story of its existence unfolds.

They are the embrace of nature, the neighborhood’s heartbeat, and the silent witnesses to the ebb and flow of life.

Whether nestled in the tranquil solitude of a forest, standing proud in the heart of a bustling city, or perched on the edge of a windswept cliff, the setting and surroundings shape the house’s character and breathe life into its narrative.

The landscape, the neighboring structures, and the natural elements provide context, framing the house’s personality like a portrait.

It’s here that writers wield the power of description to transport readers to a specific time and place, immersing them in the atmosphere, and allowing them to feel the unique pulse of the world in which the house resides.

The setting is not just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right, influencing the house’s story and enriching the reader’s journey through its vividly painted world.

Describing the Interior

Describing the interior of a house is like embarking on a journey through the corridors of the soul. It’s a magical odyssey where each room becomes a chapter, and every piece of furniture is a character with its own story to tell.

As a writer, you are an architect of emotions, a curator of ambiance, and a storyteller of human lives etched into the walls.

From the cozy, sunlit nooks where laughter and secrets are shared, to the dark, mysterious chambers hiding their enigmas, the interior is a symphony of textures, colors, and emotions.

With your words, you guide the reader through the labyrinth of emotions and memories, making them not just observers but participants in the unfolding drama of a house’s interior, where the past and present mingle in a beautifully chaotic dance of existence.

Entry and first impressions

The entry of a house is the portal to its soul, a threshold where the story of a home begins.

It’s the first chapter in the narrative of the interior, and much like the opening lines of a novel, it sets the tone for what lies beyond.

As the author of this description, you hold the power to guide the reader’s senses as they cross the threshold. The door, whether weathered and welcoming or imposing and ornate, is the guardian of secrets.

The lighting, whether dappled with warm sunshine or bathed in the cool glow of moonlight, casts a particular mood.

The decor, the scent, the arrangement of objects – all these elements come together to offer the reader their initial impression, like the first chords of a symphony.

The entry is where anticipation and curiosity blend, inviting readers to step deeper into the unfolding narrative of the house, each footfall echoing with the promise of discovery.

Character and personality of the interior

The character and personality of the interior are like the beating heart of a house, the very essence of its soul unveiled.

Every room is a chapter in the house’s unique story, and it carries its own distinct character. Whether it’s the cozy charm of a well-loved family room with threadbare sofas and walls adorned with cherished photographs, or the elegance of a meticulously designed library filled with leather-bound books and antique furniture, each space holds its own secrets and emotions.

The personality of the interior is a reflection of the people who have dwelled within its walls, their passions, and their idiosyncrasies.

As a writer, your words have the power to breathe life into these spaces, evoking the atmosphere, the history, and the emotions that have unfolded within them.

The interior of a house is a multi-dimensional character in itself, and it’s through your descriptive prose that it takes on a role, engaging readers and beckoning them to explore its depths, its quirks, and its undeniable allure.

Using Metaphor and Symbolism

Using metaphor and symbolism in writing is akin to infusing a tapestry of enigma and depth into the very fabric of your narrative.

It’s the literary equivalent of an artist applying layers of paint, revealing more than meets the eye. Metaphors are the breadcrumbs leading readers down a poetic path, allowing them to dance between the lines of reality and abstraction.

Symbolism, on the other hand, breathes life into the mundane, turning everyday objects and settings into gateways to deeper meanings.

These tools are the magic keys to the castle of imagination, granting access to hidden chambers of thought, emotion, and understanding.

Writers who wield metaphors and symbolism create a symbiotic relationship with their readers, inviting them to decode, interpret, and become an integral part of the storytelling experience.

The words become a world within themselves, teeming with secrets, revelations, and a symphony of resonating truths.

Dialogue and Character Interaction

Dialogue and character interaction in writing are like the intricate choreography of a dance, where the words become the elegant waltz of storytelling. It’s not just a means of communication; it’s the vibrant heartbeat of your narrative.

When characters engage in conversation, they reveal their true essence, their desires, and their vulnerabilities. Dialogue becomes the window to their souls, allowing readers to eavesdrop on the symphony of emotions and conflicts that course through the story.

The art of crafting dialogue isn’t just about the words spoken; it’s the unspoken sentiments, the silences pregnant with meaning, and the electricity that crackles in the air when characters collide.

As a writer, you are the conductor of this grand opera, orchestrating the verbal ballet that unravels the plot, deepens connections, and thrusts the reader into the tumultuous world of your characters.

In the dance of dialogue, you hold the power to make your characters breathe, laugh, cry, and love, drawing readers ever deeper into the rich tapestry of your narrative.

Highlighting how characters interact with the house

Characters and their interaction with the house are like a silent dialogue, a dance of emotions played out against the backdrop of architecture.

The way they navigate the hallways, touch the walls, or choose a particular spot to sit reveals their relationships, their histories, and their innermost thoughts. Each creaking floorboard, every beam of sunlight that catches their eye, becomes a reflection of their mood.

In a way, the house itself is a character, responding to their presence, bearing witness to their joys and sorrows. As a writer, you have the privilege of crafting these interactions, using them to illustrate the profound connection between the characters and their environment.

Whether it’s a comforting embrace or a source of tension, the house becomes more than bricks and mortar; it’s an essential part of the story, amplifying the drama and resonating with the emotions of those who inhabit it.

Emphasizing the house’s role in the narrative

The house in a narrative isn’t just a setting; it’s a living, breathing entity with a pivotal role to play. It’s more than bricks and beams; it’s a silent character, a reflection of the story’s soul.

The house often holds secrets, serves as a repository of memories, and even becomes a mirror to the characters’ inner worlds. It can be a sanctuary, a prison, or a puzzle to be unraveled.

The house’s architecture, history, and atmosphere can shape the plot, infusing it with mystery, nostalgia, or a sense of foreboding.

As a writer, emphasizing the house’s role is about crafting its presence in a way that makes it integral to the narrative’s progression.

It can be a catalyst for change, a witness to dramatic events, or a source of conflict. The house is more than walls; it’s a silent companion in the characters’ journey, a bearer of secrets, and an anchor in the storm of storytelling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How To Describe A House In Writing

Why is it important to effectively describe a house in writing.

Describing a house in writing is crucial for creating immersive, emotionally resonant narratives. It provides readers with vivid imagery, sets the tone, and breathes life into the settings and characters.

How can I make my house descriptions more engaging and unique?

To make your descriptions stand out, consider the house’s historical context, architectural style, and the way it interacts with your characters. Utilize metaphors, symbolism, and sensory details to add depth and intrigue.

How do I balance descriptive prose with storytelling in house descriptions?

Striking a balance involves integrating descriptions into the narrative flow. Instead of overwhelming readers with details, make the descriptions relevant to the story, characters, or themes.

What should I keep in mind when describing the exterior of a house?

When describing the exterior, consider the house’s architectural features, historical context, surrounding environment, and how these elements contribute to the atmosphere of your story.

How can I effectively convey the character and personality of the interior in my writing?

Focus on the details that reflect the residents’ lives, emotions, and history. Describe the layout, furnishings, and ambiance, allowing readers to connect with the characters through the space.

Is it necessary to use metaphors and symbolism in house descriptions?

While not mandatory, metaphors and symbolism can add depth and layers to your descriptions. They can evoke emotions, connect to the story’s themes, and make the descriptions more engaging.

What role does the house play in a narrative, and how can I emphasize it effectively?

The house can be a character in itself, influencing the plot, and reflecting the characters’ journeys. To emphasize its role, ensure that it interacts with the story, the characters, and the themes in a meaningful way.

How can I ensure my house descriptions are not overly detailed or boring for readers?

To prevent excessive detail, consider your audience and purpose, and select relevant details that contribute to the atmosphere, plot, or character development. Engage beta readers for feedback to find the right balance.

Are there any resources or books to help me improve my skills in describing houses in writing?

Yes, numerous resources, books, and articles provide insights into descriptive writing. Some recommended reads include “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White, and “The Descriptive Writer’s Guide” by James J. Cramer. Online writing communities and workshops can also offer valuable guidance.

Can you provide any tips for aspiring writers looking to master the art of describing houses in their stories?

Certainly! Start by practicing descriptive writing regularly. Be observant, research, and create mood boards for inspiration. Read books known for their descriptive prowess and seek feedback from peers to continually refine your skills. Writing is a journey, and mastering the art of description takes time and dedication.

Describing a house in writing is more than mere description; it’s an alchemical process that turns words into living spaces, and readers into explorers of the imagination.

Throughout this journey, we’ve uncovered the architectural wonders and emotional landscapes that a well-described house can unveil. We’ve seen how each room, each brick, and every scent carries significance, weaving into the narrative’s tapestry.

The house, be it a humble abode or a sprawling estate, becomes a silent character, a guardian of stories, and a vessel for the human experience.

As writers, we hold the keys to this mansion of creativity, and through the art of description, we open doors to entire worlds. So, as you embark on your own literary quests, remember the power of a well-described house to anchor, enchant, and resonate with your readers.

With every detail, you invite them to walk through the door and join you in the enchanting realm of your storytelling.

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• The Writer’s Field Guide to the Craft of Fiction
• How to Find a Premise for a Story
• How to Develop a Premise into a Story
• How to Describe Setting
• How to Create and Develop Characters
• How to Write a Scene
• How to Structure a Story
• How to Move Through Time and Space
• How to Write (Or Write Around) Plot
• How to Raise the Stakes
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• Interviews with Writers

How to Describe a House

Domingo Martinez’s memoir, The Boy Kings of Texas , was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Describing a house in a story ought to be easy. After all, real estate listings do it every day: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. For poetic purposes, maybe throw in a window and chair. Of course, more is needed—but is that  more simply more detail?

One of the best examples of a house description that I’ve read in a long time comes from the first chapter of  The Boy Kings of Texas . Domingo Martinez’s memoir tells the story of his family and growing up in Brownsville, Texas. It was a bestseller and a finalist for the National Book Award. You can  read the opening pages   at the website of The Diane Rehm Show..

How the Story Works

As a thought experiment, try describing the house or apartment where you live. (Seriously, give it a try.)

What happened? Odds are, you started with the property listings and then got stumped. A good description requires some organizational principle, and until you find it, you’re just listing things.

The house that Martinez describes belonged his father’s stepuncle. The two families did not get along, as Martinez explains here:

Elogio and his four sons clearly felt that Dad and his family did not belong in the Rubio barrio, since Gramma had married into the barrio when Dad was already four years old, a child from another man. Elogio was our Grampa’s usurping younger brother, and he wanted control of the family trucking business that Grampa had built. As Grampa’s stepson, Dad challenged Elogio’s succession. It was a Mexican parody of Shakespeare, in the barrio, with sweat-soaked sombreros and antiquated dump trucks.

That tension is important because it informs the way Martinez describes the Rubios’ house, property, and near-feral dogs:

The Rubios had kept these dogs unfed, unloved, and hostile. Presumably it was to keep burglars away from their prototypical barrio home: a main house, built by farmhands many years before, with subsequent single-room constructions slapped together according to the needs of the coming-of-age males and their knocked-up wetback girlfriends. As such, the houses were consistently in varying stages of construction and deconstruction, because the boys never left home; they just brought their illegitimate children and unhappy wives along for the only ride they knew, the one that headed nowhere.

Notice the word choices:  slapped ,  knocked-up ,  wetback , illegitimate, unhappy.  They’re all negative.

Now, think about what other words Martinez could have described the house (or the words that a Realtor would use):  big, hand-built ,  rambling ,  homey ,  comfortable . But those words would be totally out-of-place in this passage. Because Martinez has clearly defined his feelings toward the inhabitants of the house, the tone of the description is established. Once you’ve got the tone, the actual descriptions tend to present themselves automatically. The trick is to give your brain some guidelines. You’re not asking it to pull up every single detail about a place, just a few. The more clearly (and, usually, more emotionally) you define the guidelines, the easier it is to write the description.

It’s also worth noting that the description of the Rubios’ house is connected inextricably to the people who live in it. The main two sentences about the shape and construction of the house (beginning with Presumably… and  As such… ) end with the human rationale for the construction decisions ( according to the needs…   and  because the boys never left home ). The behavior and the needs of the family shape not only the house but the description of the house as well.

The Writing Exercise

Let’s describe a house or apartment (or wherever you or a character lives) using the passage from  The Boy Kings of Texas  by Domingo Martinez as a model:

• Choose your narrator or main character. If it’s you—good. If it’s a character in a story—also good. You need a primary perspective, a lens through which to view the house and everything else.
• Choose the house and its inhabitants.  Who lives there? How are they connected to your narrator or main character?
• Identify the emotional angle on the house. How does the narrator or character feel about the house or the people living in it? Don’t think too hard; just brainstorm. Does the character have warm feelings? Is the character bitter, disappointed, angry, nostalgic, sad? Are the first memories or scenes that come to mind funny? Tragic? Tense?
• Write a quick scene/anecdote that illustrates that emotion. Focus the scene or story on a character or two and a particular moment in time. Remember, the goal is to tell a story that conveys how you or your character feels about the place.
• Generalize about the people who live in the house (or spend time there).  This can be as simple as writing a sentence that begins, “They were the kind of people who…”
• Generalize how the people  used the   house.  Did they use in a communal way (everyone eating, talking, hanging out together)? Did they isolate themselves into rooms? Did they come and go at odd hours? What sort of activities did they do there? Keep in mind the sort of people you are (previous step). If they’re the sort of people who ____, that means they spent a lot of time _____, which really made me/your character feel ______.
• Generalize how the house was a perfect/imperfect fit for these activities and these people. Did the house allow the people to do the activities? Were the people cramped? Did the people modify the house in order to do the things they wanted to do? In what ways did they modify their own behavior to fit the house?
• Describe the house.  You’ve probably already written a few lines about the house. Now you’re summing them up. You might start with a sentence about the people: They were the kind of people who _____ or They spent a lot of time _____. Or, you can jump straight to the house with a sentence like this: It was the sort of house that _____ or It was a typical _____ house. Your goal is to write a description of the house that focuses on the ways it was used, the ways it fit a type of behavior, or the ways it shaped the inhabitants’ behavior. Keep in mind the cue words and phrases that Martinez uses ( according to the needs…   and  because the boys ). How can you describe the house in terms of causality?

As you likely know, people’s houses tend to become manifestations of their personality traits. The goal, then, is to write a description of a house that is as active as the people who live in it.

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Tags: character development , creative writing exercises , creative writing prompts , describing setting and place , Domingo Martinez , Hispanic literature , How to Write a Personal Essay , Texas literature , The Boy Kings of Texas

• Comments 9 Comments
• Categories Character Development , Setting and Place

9 Responses to “How to Describe a House”

This was very informative and very helpful! I look forward to trying these tips out very soon.

Thanks! Let me know how it goes.

Cool tips for writers like me. It’s really hard to describe a house in a story if you want to make it real for your readers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

wow. great tips for bloggers like me. You did a great job on writing this post. I was impressed by your ideas.

Please I nedd help .

Please how can i become a writer

I like this

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Author, teacher, coach, geek

February 19, 2016

44 Ways to Describe Buildings–Homes I

For the next few months, weekly writing tips will include word choice suggestions. That includes:

• colorful and original descriptions
• pithy words and phrases
• picture nouns and action verbs
• writing that draws a reader in and addicts them to your voice

After taking some advice from Crawford Home Buyers , I keep a  collection of descriptions that have pulled me into the books.

It’s amazing how skilled writers can use just a few carefully chosen words to transport readers into the world of their story, capturing their attention and making them want to stay. While some authors might focus on describing homes in detail, others might take a different approach, relying on powerful imagery and sensory details to evoke a mood or feeling. No matter your writing style, it’s important to find a way to connect with your readers and draw them in. When it comes to bridging the gap between planning institutions and entrepreneurs, one useful resource is  https://netivey-hakama.co.il/ . This service produces professional content and promotes the transformation of licensing into a profession with required training and education, helping to connect planners and authorities with the wider community and promoting effective collaboration.

A note: These are for inspiration only . They can’t be copied because they’ve been pulled directly from an author’s copyrighted manuscript (intellectual property is immediately copyrighted when published).

• Fair-sized house built of red Lyons Sandstone with the most god-awful-looking picket fence I’d ever seen.
• Small upstairs apartment on Newport Island, a tiny piece of land accessible only by a bridge so narrow, it would admit just one car at a time.
• The weather-beaten slat cottage sat at the far end of a mostly brown lawn. Wood silvered by the sun. Roof shingles warped. Small stands of plantain and giant bird-of-paradise for privacy. Despite the weathered appearance of the slat cottage, there was hope for its revival thanks to the services of a reliable local company specializing in affordable roofing solutions. If you too wish to safeguard your home against the elements and enhance its aesthetic appeal, going for this local company is the answer. Their dedication to quality and affordability ensures that your roof not only withstands weather challenges but also adds to the charm of your dwelling. With their assistance, the weather-beaten cottage could regain its former glory, proving that a reliable roofing projects can breathe new life into any home.
• Rambling old farm house
• Gleamed with the spotless silence of for-company-only.
• He leaned on the old boards. They felt thin and veined, frozen by a hundred winters, baked by a hundred summers. They smelled of dust and age. A big house from buy houses syracuse ny , the kind in which most American kids dreamed of growing up. Secluded among trees on one of DC’s most exclusive streets, it had turrets, gables, dormers, balconies, a screened-in front porch, a free-standing garage, a gazebo, a pool, formal gardents, the American dream.
• Sturdy two-story residence designed without the least imagination
• A set of sagging wooden steps descended three treads from the door

Contact an Industrial Cleaning Services provider if you’re managing an industrial facility or planning to sell a commercial property.

• A room barely big enough to exhale into
• A room that showed her lack of interest in anything to do with what people thought of her
• Small with clean white walls, a twin bed, a desk with a blank blotter on it, sliding closets opposite the bed, and thin green shag carpet. Or make a call to Zerorez to do this job professionally.
• My Writing Area: My computer faces out the window. I like having the sky and buildings in the background. Occasionally a bird or plane flies by in the distance. To my far left is my 42″ flatscreen TV (size does matter), which often displays my daily dose of CNN or Grey’s Anatomy. Next to that is my Buddhist altar, which I need to make better use of. To my right is a framed poster displaying a poem of mine that had been on Chicago buses and trains. And to the far right is a black and white picture of Grand Central Station with wide beams of light gushing in through the windows. The beams look like they are about to make the commuters levitate at any minute and float skyward. A single light burned, casting light on a chintz couch and an antique Quaker chair
• Improvised kitchenette off to one side
• Walls and ceilings were covered with mirrors, a high-tech bordello.
• Furnishings were cheap, black-painted. A worn mustard-yellow bean-bag chair, a relic of the seventies. An old tape deck and a towering set of speakers whose cloth was fraying
• A front door that could accommodate a family of giraffes.
• A foyer that would accommodate the Serengeti Plant at the foot of a vast curving staircase that probably went to heaven
• Polished wood floors and a graceful banister that curved up toward a soaring second floor gallery.
• Persian rug cove red a shopworn carpet.
• Prints of gentlemen riding to hounds decorate the walls.
• Crumbling rock walls
• Beautiful high arched windows
• Velvet drapes framed the windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the city a blur
• bay windows
• two tall windows allowed sunlight to flood the room
• the windows flanked a grey fabric sofa, burgundy throw
• sheer lace curtains bordered by heavy burgundy drapes matching

Click for the complete list of 70 69 writer’s themed descriptions .

Most popular collections:

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This entry was posted in WordDreams .

Jacqui Murray

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How to Describe a Cottage in a Story

By Rebecca Parpworth-Reynolds

Are you writing a novel set in the countryside and need some tips to make the surroundings scenic? If you want to know how to describe a cottage in a story, we’ll explain in this post.

1. Crumbling

Breaking into small pieces.

“The once picturesque cottage stood in a state of melancholic decay, its walls cracked and weather-worn, while ivy clung desperately to the crumbling facade.”

“Within the confines of the crumbling cottage, ancient beams sagged wearily and the remnants of faded wallpaper fluttered in the draft, revealing the bittersweet story of its forgotten inhabitants.”

How it Adds Description

“Crumbling” can be used to describe a cottage that has fallen into disrepair. Often this is the case in old farming communities, or out in the wilderness. This adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the building, as your characters and reader may question what caused the cottage to end up in such a state.

2. Old-fashioned

Belonging to the past ; not modern.

“The old-fashioned cottage exuded charm with its thatched roof, flower-filled window boxes, and a white picket fence that whispered tales of a bygone era.”

“As she looked at the cozy old-fashioned cottage, with its rustic timber frame and inviting front porch, a sense of nostalgia welled up within her.”

Describing a cottage as “old-fashioned” implies that it possesses traditional or classic architectural elements, decor, or design choices that are reminiscent of a different era and are not easily replicated. This description suggests a charming, timeless quality that may appeal to those seeking a nostalgic or vintage ambiance.

3. Pastoral

Representing pleasing features of the countryside .

“Nestled in the meadow, the pastoral cottage stood as a serene refuge, surrounded by rolling hills, blooming wildflowers, and the gentle melody of a nearby babbling brook.”

“The pastoral cottage, with its thatched roof and quaint garden, exuded an idyllic charm that perfectly harmonized with the surrounding landscape.”

Cottages are often quintessentially associated with the countryside, so describing them as being “pastoral” is rather apt. It conjures up charming images of country life, helping to create a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere for your characters and reader.

4. Peaceful

Calm and quiet.

“Nestled in a secluded woodland, the peaceful cottage seemed to radiate an air of serenity; they knew they could rest easy here.”

“As the golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow upon the peaceful cottage, a sense of calm enveloped the air as if nature herself were letting out a deep sigh of relief.”

Often, cottages are found in more remote locations or quiet villages, meaning that they can give off a “peaceful” aura. This is particularly true when they are described in contrast to the hustle and bustle of city life. Cottages also evoke a sense of comfort, helping people to feel at ease.

5. Picturesque

Attractive , usually in an old-fashioned way.

“Nestled against a backdrop of sheep grazing in hilltop meadows, and framed by vibrant blooming gardens, the picturesque cottage stood as a living postcard.”

“Perched by the shimmering lake, the picturesque cottage boasted charming stone walls, a thatched roof, and flower-filled window boxes, creating a scene so enchanting that it seemed plucked straight from the pages of a storybook.”

By describing a cottage in your story as being “picturesque”, your reader gets the assumption that it is almost perfect, much like what they might see in a work of art. It gives a sense that the cottage and its backdrop are to be admired.

Attractive because something is unusual or old-fashioned.

“Nestled on a cobblestone street, the quaint cottage exuded an undeniable charm that made it stand out from its neighbors.”

“Tucked away in a charming village, the quaint cottage stood as a delightful retreat, its whimsical architecture adorned with climbing vines and a cheerful red door.”

Although to some it is seen as a pejorative word, describing a cottage as “quaint” suggests that it possesses a charming and old-fashioned quality that evokes a sense of coziness, uniqueness, and nostalgia. It helps to showcase the individuality of the cottage, despite being a humble dwelling.

7. Run-down

In bad condition , usually due to overuse.

“Abandoned and forlorn, the run-down cottage sagged under the weight of neglect, its cracked windows and bowed roof a testament to the passage of time.”

“The run-down cottage stood as a mere shell, its decaying walls and broken shutters left to the mercy of nature’s reclaiming embrace.”

Describing a cottage as “run-down” highlights its bad condition and neglect. It evokes a sense of sadness, contrasting the current state of the cottage and its former glory or potential. It helps to create a vivid image of a once-charming dwelling that has fallen into disrepair for your reader.

Simple and unrefined in appearance, usually related to the countryside.

“The rustic cottage emanated a cozy and earthy charm, with its weathered wooden beams, stone fireplace, and warm candlelight that danced through the crackling hearth, showing that sometimes all one needs is the simple things in life.”

“The rustic cottage exuded a timeless charm, its weathered beams and moss-covered roof blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings.”

If you need to show that the cottage in your story is a retreat from the modern world, try describing it as “rustic”. “Rustic” places and buildings appeal to those who appreciate a more humble and traditional style of living, usually in the countryside. This helps you to illustrate to your reader the cottage’s charming simplicity and its connection to the natural world.

• Traditional and natural rather than modern and complex.

“The cottage stood as a humble retreat, its unassuming facade and unadorned charm a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the joy found in life’s most uncomplicated pleasures.”

“Amidst the tranquil countryside, the simple cottage stood as a modest sanctuary, its whitewashed walls and unpretentious design reflecting a quiet elegance that embraced a life of contentment.”

By describing a cottage as “simple”, it conveys a sense of understated beauty, authenticity, and a focus on the essentials. Often, it may not be decorated and have only the bare minimum inside. Characters who may not understand its charm might find it to be plain compared to more decadent dwellings, whereas others may see it as a paradise.

10. Verdant

Covered with plant life .

“The verdant cottage appeared as an organic extension of its vibrant surroundings, with ivy-clad walls, a thatched roof blending seamlessly with the emerald foliage, and a flourishing garden.”

“The verdant cottage was adorned with a living tapestry of climbing vines, colorful blooms, and cascading foliage, creating an enchanting haven where the boundary between indoors and outdoors blurred.”

If you wish to convey how the cottage in your story appears to be one with nature, try describing it as being “verdant”. This helps to show how it is just as much of a feature as the plant life around it, creating a true escape from city life.

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

Describing Words for House: A Complete List with Examples

When it comes to describing a house, finding the right adjectives can make all the difference. Whether you’re a real estate agent trying to sell a property or simply looking to give your home a fresh makeover, knowing the right words to capture its essence is essential. In this article, I’ll be sharing a comprehensive list of adjectives that will help you paint a vivid picture of any house. From cozy cottages to sleek modern mansions, I’ve got you covered with examples and explanations that will make your descriptions come alive.

Imagine stepping into a house that exudes warmth and comfort. You might use words like “inviting,” “cozy,” or “welcoming” to describe it. On the other hand, a house with sleek lines and a minimalist design might be better described as “modern,” “minimalistic,” or “contemporary.” These adjectives not only provide a clear picture of the house’s style, but also evoke certain emotions and aesthetics. Whether you’re looking for words to attract potential buyers or simply want to enhance your own appreciation of your home, this article is your go-to guide for finding the perfect adjectives to describe any house.

Table of Contents

How to Describe house? – Different Scenarios

When it comes to describing a house, finding the right adjectives can make all the difference. The words we choose have the power to evoke emotions and paint a vivid picture in the minds of our readers or listeners. Whether you’re a real estate agent looking to attract buyers or you simply want to enhance your own appreciation of your home, here are some scenarios to consider and the adjectives that can best capture the essence of a house.

• Cozy and Inviting : Imagine a charming cottage nestled in a picturesque countryside. To describe such a house, you can use adjectives like “quaint,” “rustic,” “welcoming,” and “warm.” These words create an image of a cozy and inviting space, where one can relax and feel at home.
• Modern and Sleek : Picture a sleek and stylish modern mansion with clean lines and contemporary design. To capture the essence of such a house, you can use adjectives like “sophisticated,” “elegant,” “minimalistic,” and “cutting-edge.” These words convey a sense of modernity and refinement.
• Spacious and Airy : Imagine a house with high ceilings, large windows, and plenty of open space. To describe such a house, you can use adjectives like “spacious,” “light-filled,” “airy,” and “expansive.” These words evoke a sense of openness and freedom, making the house feel larger than life.
• Charming and Vintage : Think of an old Victorian house with intricate details and a timeless appeal. To describe such a house, you can use adjectives like “charming,” “historic,” “vintage,” and “nostalgic.” These words create an image of a house that is full of character and has a story to tell.
• Luxurious and Opulent : Envision a grand mansion with lavish features, such as marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a private pool. To describe such a house, you can use adjectives like “luxurious,” “opulent,” “sumptuous,” and “extravagant.” These words convey a sense of luxury and indulgence.

Describing Words for house in English

Describing Words for House in English

When it comes to describing a house, choosing the right adjectives can make all the difference. The words we use have the power to evoke emotions and paint a vivid picture in the minds of readers or listeners. Whether you’re a real estate agent trying to attract buyers or simply want to enhance your own appreciation of your home, finding the perfect adjectives is essential. Here are some describing words for houses in English that can help you capture the essence of any home:

• Cozy and Inviting:
• Modern and Sleek:
• Spacious and Airy:
• Charming and Vintage:
• Luxurious and Opulent:

Remember, the adjectives you choose should align with the overall impression you want to convey. For example, if you’re describing a cozy and inviting house, you might focus on words like “warm” and “welcoming.” On the other hand, if you’re aiming for a modern and sleek vibe, words like “stylish” and “contemporary” would be more suitable. It’s all about selecting words that accurately reflect the characteristics of the house.

Using these adjectives can help create a more engaging and descriptive experience for your audience, whether they’re reading your real estate listing or listening to you describe your home in person. So, when it comes to describing a house, choose your words carefully and let them paint a captivating picture in the minds of others.

Adjectives for house

When it comes to describing a house, choosing the right adjectives is key. The words we use have the power to evoke emotions and create a vivid picture in the minds of others. Whether you’re writing a real estate listing, describing your home to friends, or teaching kids about houses, using the right adjectives can make all the difference. Let’s explore some positive and negative adjectives to describe houses.

Positive Adjectives for House

Having a positive and welcoming description for a house is important to attract potential buyers or create a pleasant image in someone’s mind. Here are some positive adjectives to consider when describing a house:

Here are some example sentences using these positive adjectives:

• This cozy beach house is perfect for a relaxing vacation.
• The wooden furniture and warm lighting make this house feel inviting .
• The modern kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances.
• The living room is sleek, with sleek lines and minimalist furniture.
• The spacious backyard is ideal for entertaining guests.
• The large windows make this house feel light and airy .
• The charming cottage is nestled in a picturesque village.
• The living room has a vintage vibe with antique furniture.
• Indulge in the luxurious amenities of this upscale penthouse.
• The house exudes an opulent atmosphere with its crystal chandeliers and marble floors.

Negative Adjectives for House

While it’s important to highlight the positive aspects of a house, it’s also useful to be aware of the negative adjectives that may arise. These adjectives can be used to describe houses that may need improvement or may not meet certain expectations. Here are some negative adjectives to consider when describing a house:

Here are some example sentences using these negative adjectives:

• The dilapidated house needs extensive renovation.
• The bedrooms in this house are quite cramped .
• The kitchen is outdated and could benefit from an upgrade.
• The house appears cluttered with excessive furniture and decorations.
• The lack of natural light makes the living room feel dreary .

Synonyms and Antonyms with Example Sentences

Synonyms for house.

When it comes to describing houses, there are several synonyms that can paint a vivid picture in the minds of readers or listeners. Here are some alternative words you can use to describe a house:

Each of these synonyms brings a unique flavor to the description of a house. By choosing the right synonym, you can create a more engaging and descriptive experience for your audience.

Antonyms for house

On the other hand, if you need to describe houses that may need improvement or may not meet certain expectations, there are antonyms that can convey the opposite qualities. Here are some antonyms for “house”:

• Dilapidated: in a state of disrepair or ruin
• Cramped: lacking space or feeling crowded
• Outdated: no longer modern or fashionable
• Cluttered: messy and disorganized
• Dreary: dull, gloomy, and depressing

Using these antonyms can help your audience understand the negative aspects of a house or emphasize the need for improvement.

Remember, choosing the right adjectives is essential for creating a vivid and engaging description of a house. Whether you opt for synonyms to highlight positive qualities or antonyms to convey negative aspects, your choice of words can make a significant impact on how your audience perceives the house you’re describing.

Choosing the right adjectives to describe a house is crucial in creating a captivating and engaging description. Throughout this article, we have explored a range of adjectives that can bring a house to life, from cozy and inviting to modern and sleek. These descriptive words allow us to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind, helping them visualize the unique qualities and characteristics of the house.

On the other hand, we have also discussed antonyms that can be used to describe houses that may not meet certain expectations. Words like dilapidated, cramped, outdated, cluttered, and dreary can convey a sense of improvement or a need for change.

Remember, the choice of adjectives can greatly influence how the audience perceives a house. By carefully selecting the right words, we can create a lasting impression and generate interest in the property.

So, whether you are a real estate agent, a homeowner looking to sell, or simply someone who enjoys describing houses, consider using these adjectives to make your descriptions more compelling and impactful.

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Description Entry: Haunted House (inside)

May 23, 2009 by BECCA PUGLISI

Sight Dust, cobwebs, sheets on furniture, broken tables, chairs, windows, lamps, peeling wallpaper, gaps in the floorboards, holes in the walls, flickering lights (if there’s electricity) chandelier with broken strings of crystals, broken glass on the floor, spiders, cockroaches, rust, mildew, ripped curtains, shadows, gloomy staircases, old portraits & paintings, cracked…

footsteps on the stair, creaking doors, window shutters rattling on the outside, wind scattering/rustling paper through a broken window gap, words whispered in ear, screams, crying, wailing, laughter, glass smashing, the scrap of a chair moving, the scritch of tree branches scraping at the windows, rats squeaking, movement in the walls, a…

Phantom perfume or cologne, burning smells, pipe or cigarette smoke, mildew, rot, dank, rusty or metallic smells, wet wood and stone, rancid breath, yeasty beer smell, food, dust, dry rot, rat/mice feces, urine

Sour & dry mouth from fear, dust floating in the air and coating the tongue, salty tears

A phantom hand on the shoulder, the puff of breath on the earlobe or the back of the neck, the sensation of being grabbed on the arm, pushed, pulled, pinched, poked, slapped, burned, a feeling of light-headedness and nausea, hair rising on arms or the back of the neck, the body’s reaction to a drop in temperature (chills, shivering, breath puffing out…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1:  I cringed at each creak on the old warped stairs, but it didn’t sway my determination to make it to the bedroom on the second floor. Halfway up, a shadow flickered at the corner of my vision. I froze, and as I stood there, caught a woody scent lingering in the air. Tobacco smoke? A shiver curled through the hairs on the back of my neck then cascaded down my backbone. It was all I could do to not hurl myself back down the stairs toward the front door…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Metaphor ) The dining room chair suddenly jolted back and tilted toward me, a gracious invitation by an invisible host…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers.

Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict, people commonly found in these locales, and setting-specific notes and tips, and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing this powerful Setting Thesaurus , head on over and register at One Stop.

On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too, because both books are now available for purchase in digital and print copies. In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers —a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

May 14, 2021 at 1:51 pm

creepy…

May 8, 2021 at 6:48 pm

Oh wow. It hadn’t occurred to me to make a list of all the things to do with my settings. Thank you for this. Brilliant!

May 10, 2021 at 5:53 am

It’s so much easier to get the setting exactly where we want it when we know beforehand what to aim for :).

March 12, 2021 at 5:58 pm

I really love this Thank you so much for doing this

March 2, 2021 at 2:17 pm

February 18, 2021 at 8:34 am

Thankyou soo much…it really helped me

February 13, 2021 at 5:04 am

omg!! Thankyou so much, this helped with my assignment!!!

February 10, 2021 at 6:25 am

thank you so much, helped me alot during lockdown!!

February 11, 2021 at 8:29 am

Well thank goodness for that!

December 22, 2020 at 12:24 am

Thank You really helpful

December 12, 2020 at 5:30 am

December 4, 2020 at 11:38 pm

Thank you so much, there are totally enough ideas for me for my essay

November 22, 2020 at 10:04 am

Very helpful

November 10, 2020 at 5:41 pm

thank you so much i needed ideas and this gave me so much.

October 21, 2020 at 4:50 pm

I am doing a descriptive writing project and this helped me so much! Thank You!

October 21, 2020 at 7:01 pm

Glad it helped!

March 20, 2021 at 6:59 am

October 8, 2020 at 11:51 am

I love the website I had to write a paper about Halloween and I used this website to find my d Description Word I need . Who ever made this website I don’t know what I would tell him or her but it’s one of my favorite it gives me great description of what words I don’t understand and I then I can use it later if I could rate it 5 stars

October 8, 2020 at 1:07 pm

Zachary, I am so glad you like this website and it’s a help to you!

September 26, 2020 at 5:48 pm

thank u a lot s helps me in my writing

September 19, 2020 at 1:49 am

Thanks! It was quite helpful for my paragraph. 😊

March 25, 2020 at 1:17 am

This was SOOO helpful. Thanks a lot. It was very helpful.

This was SOOO helpful. Thanks a lot.

January 2, 2020 at 5:56 am

this helped me with my essay A LOT!!!!!!!!!!! 😊

December 3, 2019 at 2:51 pm

This is awesome！👌

March 31, 2021 at 11:41 pm

This awesome

November 18, 2019 at 1:32 pm

This is so helpful for everyone . People can use them in essays while describing a haunted house .

November 10, 2020 at 5:43 pm

That is exactly what i used it for

November 11, 2019 at 7:02 am

This is so helpful! Definately the best website for writing! Thanksssss❤️❤️

November 11, 2019 at 10:42 am

Happy this helps!

November 3, 2019 at 7:28 am

October 25, 2019 at 4:58 am

I really like it. It’s really good.for.young children and writers. I love it do much

July 1, 2019 at 6:21 pm

wow I really needed this thank you sooo much

May 25, 2019 at 11:22 am

Amazing. Im a 14-year-old writer and all these descriptions inspired me on how to write my mystery book. Thanks so much Becca

February 9, 2019 at 6:29 pm

I really liked it because it helped me a lot to inspire me with my writing for greater depth.It was all very creative and amazing 😃👍🏻

January 28, 2019 at 11:34 am

very good descriptions

January 3, 2019 at 11:03 pm

This is too helpful

November 11, 2018 at 4:21 am

Helpful!!!!!

June 6, 2019 at 2:08 am

Good descriptive terms and phrases!!

October 24, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Thank you so much you have helped me so much.

October 23, 2018 at 10:49 am

This story describes the house and starts to leave an image of what the inside of the house looks like. I get shivers reading it.

October 22, 2018 at 11:10 am

I love this website it helps me

July 22, 2018 at 8:38 am

Thank you so much.. It helped me a lot… I am very happy about this web page😊

November 19, 2018 at 11:04 pm

yeah me too it helped alot

December 13, 2017 at 7:04 am

Thank you so much it really helped write my writing assessment and get full marks, don’t worry i didn’t cheat that much!

October 25, 2019 at 12:17 pm

lmao “that much”

November 9, 2017 at 5:32 pm

It Game Some Ideas What To Write

April 4, 2017 at 1:37 pm

Its just awesome because I get a idea to write it in my suspense story??

March 19, 2017 at 11:49 am

thanks alot it really helped me in my suspense story writing and it did really gave me some ideas to write it thanks 😉

December 3, 2016 at 8:15 am

Thank you very much. This is helpful to do my English HW. Zabit Khwaja

September 12, 2018 at 2:01 pm

October 25, 2016 at 2:12 pm

Thank you !! This has really helped me to do my homework and to inspire me for different t ideas.

October 6, 2016 at 9:45 am

this helped me do my English course thank u sooo much

September 1, 2011 at 9:32 am

this is awesome! 😀 helped me do my coursework for English! thanks a lot 😀

October 14, 2010 at 8:47 pm

this story is awsome i want to read another one.

September 16, 2010 at 12:48 pm

Thanks Aloot It Helped Me In My English Homework:) But I Think It Would Be Better If There Were More Examples Of Haunted Houses:D x

April 3, 2010 at 4:53 pm

this has helped me a great deal with my story for my English class 🙂

May 27, 2009 at 11:34 am

I love the image of the child riding a phantom rocking horse — very effective.

May 25, 2009 at 11:48 pm

This one was so fun to do. There are so many unusual settings to explore–stay tuned!

May 24, 2009 at 6:08 pm

You gals cover some of the greatest topics!!! Hope you can get these out in book form soon or eventually! Keep up the good work!

May 24, 2009 at 7:21 am

I can hear the wind moaning around corners…whhoooooooooowhoooooo.

May 24, 2009 at 7:14 am

Fantastic! Thanks!

May 23, 2009 at 4:09 pm

Gives me the shivers too. =)

May 23, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Gives me shivers just reading it. 😉

Decaying House: Student’s Descriptive Writing Piece + Teacher Feedback

Below, you’ll find a descriptive writing piece, plus my feedback about it which was written by a GCSE student.

Many of the creative writing and descriptive writing questions in exams require you to focus on an object, person, place or thing. In this mini-lesson, I’ll go through the basics of how to describe a place in detail – and not just in a boring way!

Lots of my students get stuck on descriptions; they tell me that they can’t think of anything to write. Or they feel like they can only just list details or features of the object without being ‘creative’. So, if this is relatable for you then keep reading as we’ll be breaking down how to go beyond basic descriptions and transform them into something personal, powerful and meaningful.

Descriptive Writing: What is it and How to do it

Thanks for reading! If you find this useful, take a look at our full  Basic Descriptive Writing  and  Advanced Descriptive Writing  courses.

Decaying House: Descriptive Writing Essay

The house, rather old and shabby, as Katherine would describe. The glass windows were broken and shattered across the floor board like an explosion. The floor board squeaked and cracked as a step is taken. Dust fell from the roof and danced like a ballerina in the air.

As the days passed the rooms began to look like a jungle. Bugs crawled on the remains on the bed. Drawers now filled with moss and bugs and plants began to coil around the legs of tables and chairs. Plants grew into communities and more came as time passed by. Bugs gave birth to more bugs, they are like kings, ruling over the room. Across the hall is another room, but there were no other plants except lavender, and no other bugs than bees.

The trees surrounding the old house grew every few millimetres a day, the plants has grown onto the porch of the house and the road leading the way toward the mystery of the world. Moss has grown onto the walls of the house. The dampness inside of the house made a disgusting smell, as if it could kill someone instantly, but is was different before it was abandoned.

Summer came and went. The house grew old and would one day become plain wood again. Leaves fell and grown, the trees, too, would one day be gone and used as something else. Something that is un-useful to the world. The trees surrounding the house protected it from rain and wind. The house still stood like a soldier, even when it knows that it won’t live long.

FEEDBACK : 

I love your imagery and details in this piece, you have an imaginative mind and the concept of a decayed house is really well executed – you have excellent use of techniques and clear organised paragraphs that progress the imagery forwards. Each paragraph also signifies a clear shift or change in a focal point. The sense of the house being personified as an entity is also excellent! To improve, here are a few tips: 

• You have  a shift in tense between past and present – try to stick to one tense the whole way through be very specific with imagery, for example instead of saying ‘disgusting smell’, try to describe the smell in detail – is it like rancid milk, or rotting grey meat? Is it the sickly smell of decaying flowers that have sat too long in stagnated water? Go through your memory of terrible smells and find something that fits there! 
• Try to execute a tonal shift somewhere – go from one clear mood or tone to another in one of the paragraphs 
• Develop a greater control over punctuation, using more experimental pieces of punctuation such as colons, speech marks and semicolons.

Great work!

Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, take a look at our full  Basic Descriptive Writing  and  Advanced Descriptive Writing  courses, as well as other  English Language and Literature  courses.

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About Words – Cambridge Dictionary blog

Commenting on developments in the English language

Cluttered and homely (Words to describe buildings and homes, Part 2)

by  Kate Woodford

In part 1 of our ‘describing buildings’ post, we focused mainly on adjectives to describe the size of buildings. This week, we’re looking inside the building and, amongst other things, considering words that are used to describe its décor (= style of its furniture and decoration). We’re also focusing on the state of the building.

Starting with a very basic feature, a house or apartment that is furnished contains furniture. We also use this adjective in descriptions of the type of furniture in a place: I’m looking for a furnished apartment. / a tastefully furnished apartment The opposite is unfurnished : an unfurnished apartment . A self-contained apartment/flat is complete, including its own kitchen and bathroom: a self-contained, two-bedroom flat

A room that is airy has a lot of light and space, in a way that is attractive. We often use this word in the approving collocation ‘light and airy’: The waiting room is light and airy, with plants and flowers. The opposite – a room that is unattractively dark – may be described as dingy , gloomy or dimly lit . (‘Dingy’ also suggests that somewhere is dirty.): It was a dingy, poorly furnished apartment. / We entered a gloomy old dining hall. / a dimly lit corridor

If you describe a building or room as UK homely , ( US homey ) you mean that the noticeable thing about it is that it is comfortable and relaxing rather than stylish and elegant: Inside, the restaurant has a homely feel, with candles on tables and comfy chairs. Somewhere that looks lived-in , meanwhile, looks comfortable but not perfect, with furniture that has obviously been used a lot: The house has a charming, lived-in feel.

An untidy room with too many things in it is often described as cluttered : She invited me into her rather cluttered office. We use the noun clutter to refer to a lot of untidy objects: We need to clear out some of this clutter!

The adjective uncluttered describes somewhere that has few objects in it and looks tidy and attractive: Try to keep a well-organised and uncluttered workspace. Somewhere that is perfectly clean and tidy may be described as immaculate : The whole house is immaculate.

Meanwhile, a room that looks very comfortable and expensive may be described as plush or luxurious : She was taken into a large room with luxurious furnishings. / They held the meeting in the plush surroundings of a West End hotel.

Let’s move on to the state of a building. Somewhere that is shabby looks old and in poor condition: The family occupied a shabby, two-room basement apartment. A run-down building hasn’t been looked after for a long time and is in poor condition: They bought a couple of run-down cottages and fixed them up. The adjective dilapidated is very similar, meaning ‘old and in poor condition’: She’s been restoring a dilapidated farmhouse just outside Bath.

A derelict building is not now used and is in poor condition: There are several derelict houses on the street, with boarded-up windows.

That concludes our two-part post on houses and rooms. We hope you found it useful.

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10 thoughts on “ Cluttered and homely (Words to describe buildings and homes, Part 2) ”

Truly, a nice lesson with very useful words to distinguish the good or bad condition of a building, flat or apartment.

Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful.

In my personal opinion it would be nice to have some posts about techincal English words to describe buildis and their structures.

Good job 👍 we can enhance are vocabulary with the help of such blog.

Thank you! That’s great to hear.

I really enjoyed reading the paragraph but i have got the last 2 vocabularies are bit difficult

Thank you. It is so useful for us. We should have more posts like this for description of houses/flats/condos.

This lesson is so nice ! I was looking for some vocabulary to describe houses and here it is ! Thank you! This blog is so interesting 😄

Maria Grazia, what a lovely comment – thank you! Best wishes from Cambridge.

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Quotes and Descriptions to Inspire Creative Writing Discover, Share, Connect

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19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

marvellous school of neurology

"It turns out, as obviousness would have it, that our brains (especially those of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in this case) have been teaching us neurology through comic books and the movies that have come from them." Full article linked to from my profile, click "abraham" below, awesome!!

"When we make daily choices that are emotionally indifferent, the sort that the money-nexus makes faux-virtues of, we build our capacity for emotional indifference at the direct expense of our capacity for empathy, and thus the conflict between money and love is laid bare."

It was a bonny path that chattered day and night, the free leaves upon it and their twig-attached brethren in seasonal conversation.

I wonder if the roof tiles miss the rain on these long summer days. I wonder if they miss making their together song. Or perhaps they await the tickle of bird feet and a hearth-warm breeze. Or maybe it is the variation that makes these seasons special.

blanket fort

In that artistry of wool, within a fabric that told of patient hours of tip-tapping knitting needles, we dwelled within a castle within our home.

essential career advice for writers

"For writers in the next half century and beyond, a comprehension of how creative writing, neurology, biology and our environment interact will be essential for a successful career." - a link to the full article is in my bio and on the Descriptionari "About" page. Much love!!! Angela Abraham (Daisy)

"Adjective and noun associations are worthy of our consideration because by careful linkage of words such as 'black' with strong emotionally positive words (such as in 'black heavens' and 'noble black night') we can start to program subconscious bias from the brain by creating a background neurochemistry that is more positive. This keeps the prefrontal cortex more fully operational and encourages more empathy in both thoughts and behaviours. Thus society develops better through their own choices and evolves. This is part of social evolution and this kind of awareness in writers is essential."

walking in the rain

I won't say I love the cold rain. I won't say I love being soaked to the skin. I won't say I'm alright with how long it takes for my boots to dry. But I will say it enlivens me and awakens a part of me that slumbers in the warm and sunny weather. I will say that jumping in puddles is fun and that I'm far too old to be enjoying such things. I will say that a part of me finds a beauty in wondering how many raindrops there are and listening for them in the meditative pitter patter.

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The old House - Creative writing.

Kaycee Groves

The old House

In the Western Part of Virginia, America, an old tattered house, sadly sat waited for a visitor. A year and then two past but still no one visited the sad lonely house. But on a cold September Night, a man with his dog came across the old lonely house. The man glanced into the woods, and noticed the old house in the distance. The trees were swaying backward and forward that surrounded the full moon in the sky. The man and his dog slowly walked across toward the house; where the old house cried for attention. The old house sat patiently in the dark windy woods. The loud sound of ‘hooting’ from the owls distracted the man walking toward the house. The old house got angry and was no longer patient. Thunder and rain fell from the dark sky; and crashed down into the woods. The man anxiously looked around with paranoia like an American soldier in Vietnam. The man looked for his dog but was she was no were to be seen. The man ran toward the house.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Through the trees, the man entered the house’s territory. The war had begun. He fell into the mud with his face drenched with soil and water. The storm stopped. At last they were face to face; the house stared at the man. The man slowly looked up towards the house like a puppy that has just wet itself. The night sky was lit up with tiny candles. The man wiped the mud off his face like if he was a criminal unmasking himself. The moon was just visible over the roof of the house, light shined into his face like a torch revealing his face. The mans face was like an old soggy newspaper. The old house looked at the man not knowing what to do. The man got up and picked up a shovel by the house and he held it underneath his arm like a gun. The man climbed up the old wooden stair. The old wooden house’s defence was low, and he kicked the broken doors in revealing the house’s secrets. The enemy was in.

The moon disappeared into the sky. Dark clouds blanketed the wet house drying it like a towel. The man inside looked around seeing nothing but an empty rooms. The sound of footsteps entered the room; the man had big old army boots on. The house was quiet but ‘scared’. However the man was terrified, he looked around anxiously with his long hair caught in his face like glue. His clothes were all wet with his green trousers all covered in mud, and his leather jacket that looked like it had been chewed by his dog.

Crows sat on top of the house. The wind became strong; the window blinds Banged and Crashed. The water was brushed off the roof of the house that watered corpses by the window. Inside the house the man heard the noise. It was from a small room by the watered window. The room was dark and dusty, the floorboards was broken. He heard a soft and quiet sound of humming of the song ‘You are my Sunshine’. The man slowly entered the room. He smiled and slowly put the rusty shovel down by the door. It was a little girl sitting, facings towards the wall. He asked the girl what she was doing here, she didn’t reply, but kept on humming the song ‘You are my Sunshine’. The sound of the old grandfather clock struck twelve midnight. He looked around, he saw masks. Masks of humans, faces of humans, the flesh decomposing on head stands. The man was span around seeing people’s body on the wall, arms and legs that had rotted and the stench was like milk that had gone off.

The man screamed to the girl: “let’s get out of here”.

He grabbed her, she turned around. Her face was filled with rooting flesh and blood, and her eyes were all white. Her face crinkled up revealing her inside of her mouth. Her teeth, rotted in blood like the house is in the woods. The man stared at the girl screamed. The crows flew away with their wings brushing in the wind. Now just the sound of the clock that struck twelve midnight filled the sound in the air.

In the Western Part of Virginia the tattered old house, sadly sat and waited for another, unsuspecting visitor...

Document Details

• Word Count 750
• Subject English

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Creative Writing -The forbidding House!!!

Original Writing Coursework - The Old House.

creative writing

Creative writing.

Walk Across California

An epic journey whereby one foot is put in front of the other to discover, up close and personal, who and what and where is the golden state. photos by robert boscacci ’14, frederic larson, and edward rooks. illustrations by edward rooks., day one: dance.

Dancer  David Popalisky  and a dozen of his students were twirling in the sand at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach on a fog-chilled June morning, reaching skyward. They were performing a traditional Native American blessing dance with which they’d greet the new morning for the next 15 days as they walked across California—from the crashing waves of the Pacific through the vertiginous streets of San Francisco, gritty west Oakland and the bucolic East Bay hills, through the vast, hot Central Valley to the pine forests and glorious granite peaks of Yosemite.

“I bless the space above me, I bless the space below me, and I bless the space within me,” they chanted in unison, repeating the age-old phrases and steps that Popalisky, an associate professor of theatre and dance, taught to the SCU students who’d signed up for his one-of-a-kind spring 2012 course, Walk Across California. Popalisky spent nearly two years planning and raising money for a journey that gave students a singular firsthand experience of the Golden State’s extraordinarily diverse cultures and environments.

“We welcome the adventure of this walk, whatever it may bring,” said Popalisky, a 6-foot-3 sprite with vast reserves of enthusiasm, curiosity, and patience. He asked his fellow travelers what they wanted to bless as they embarked on the two-week trek that would bring them face to face with migrant farmworkers, Miwok Indian elders, the mother of a murdered Stockton boy, park rangers, politicians, ex–gang bangers, and graywater reclamation experts.

“I bless our feet,” someone shouted.

“I bless the sky,” someone else said.

“I bless the van I drive,” chimed in  Edward Rooks , cracking up the Santa Clarans circled in the sand with him. A gentlemanly naturalist and wildlife artist from Trinidad (and husband of SCU Professor of Biology  Janice Edgerly-Rooks ), Edward Rooks proved an invaluable member of the team, driving the white Toyota van stuffed with tents, food, and other supplies; teaching plein-air drawing and what it means to have a line of perspective; and identifying the various birds, bugs, and snakes that appeared along the way: red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures, red admiral butterflies and wood-boring beetles, garters and rattlers. Electrical engineering student  Russell Wetherley ’13  later called him  Rooksus Edwardius  in a comic ode to the wise goateed chap who can survive in many climes but whose “preferred environment is an air-conditioned minivan along California highways.”

The class satisfied two core SCU requirements that underscore the Jesuits’ holistic vision and social activism: arts and experiential learning for social justice. Students kept a daily journal of encounters with the people and landscapes of California and, as a final project, produced a thoughtful, creative work that spoke to the story they’d just lived and taken in with all their senses as they hoofed 225 dusty miles.

Why do this?  That was a question the walkers heard many times from folks they encountered along the way. In part, it was for fun and credit.

“Yosemite was in the description,” said  Chris Lum ’13 , a biology major from Hawaii. “I’m down for adventure.”

The walkers weren’t doing it to raise funds or awareness for a cause. It was to try to get to know our home better. When folks along the way heard that, they wanted to share their stories.

DAY TWO: FOOTWEAR

Blisters. That’s what you get when you walk 15 miles a day. The walkers, whose quarter-long preparation for this epic hike included 5-mile walks around the rose-scented Mission Campus and surrounding urban zones—as well as readings about Native Americans, food justice, and environmental sustainability, and the nature poetry of Kay Ryan and Wendell Berry—got plenty of blisters. Most of the blisters started on Day Two, after a day walking from Tilden Park to Mt. Diablo in 106-degree heat. In addition to the daily circle for the blessing dance, students gathered ’round for twice-daily foot-care sessions. That helped. But there’s no escaping the sheer physicality of the walk.

“My feet are destroyed,”  Julie Herman ’14  said cheerfully a few days later. She’s a biology major who writes poetry.

Along with the monumental question that Popalisky asked of the people they met—“What sustains you?”—there were elemental questions that had to be answered frequently: Is my water bottle filled? Is that a shade tree?

Robert Boscacci ’14 , a communications major, took photographs and wrote poems about the people and landscapes: There’s the curly-haired urban farmer Max Cadji of the People’s Grocery in Oakland, where the Santa Clarans hiked on Day One after riding BART under the bay; the spaghetti they cooked that night in Berkeley’s Tilden Park; the spectacular sunset the following evening on Mt. Diablo. Boscacci rigged a “Lawrence of Arabia” hat flap with a small white towel to shield the back of his neck from the blazing sun. And he swapped images and words along the way with poet and essayist  Rebekah Bloyd , a lecturer in creative writing who served as chaperone and descriptive writing coach. The whole group wrote portraits of places and people along the way—describing who and what they were now, and trying to imagine what they would be and do in the future. Stopping for lunch in a meadow near Marsh Creek Springs (hard-boiled eggs and peanut butter and jelly), the students composed a group haiku that Bloyd jotted in her notebook:

Nearby stream chortles Cool water passes on rock Destination ahead

That evening, the destination was the farm of Kim and Matt Scarlata, who raise organic tomatoes: Purple Cherokee and Berkeley Tie-Dye, as well as a variety named for their daughter, Maddie Rose. There aren’t as many farms in the area as there used to be. At a dinner the Scarlatas hosted, one neighbor talked about how hard it is for farmers to turn down big offers to buy them out.

This is part of California’s story, too. It was a clear night and the walkers slept on the Scarlatas’ lawn, sleeping bags drawn in a circle under the open sky and the shooting stars.

DAY FIVE: ASPARAGUS, BANKRUPTCY, COMMUNION

After a grueling stretch along Highway 4, they came into Stockton single file in their lime-and-silver safety vests, walking the shoulder of a road littered with broken bottles and dead rodents and raccoons, while big rigs roared past. The route into town took the group past piles of human waste near a homeless camp along a graffiti-scrawled highway overpass. A few blocks farther along, they saw the bullet hole in a downtown building where a teenager had been shot to death. A police car was circling the block, and the cop stopped to ask what they were up to—and to make sure they understood they were heading for a perilous place. Its murder, foreclosure, and unemployment rates make Stockton one of the most troubled cities in the country.

But these walkers were not lost. They were on their way to meet the wired-up St. Francis of Stockton, Fr. Dean McFalls, who shepherded them around town. He is a kinetic 57-year-old dervish of a priest with close-cut, salt-and-pepper hair who ministers to the poor and homeless people in his predominantly Spanish-speaking parish at St. Mary’s Church, a run-down Gothic red brick building where multitasking Fr. Dean, clad in a brilliant spring green robe, juggles calls on multiple cell phones during Mass while someone else is giving a benediction. Fr. Dean took the Santa Clarans on a nonstop tour of Stockton that began in City Hall with Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston, who asked energetically, “Why don’t you tell me where you’ve been? Real quick!” In retrospect, the encounter was understandably brief: Johnston was dashing off to a city council meeting whose import was felt around the country. A few days later, Stockton officially became the largest city in the nation to declare bankruptcy.

In the park across the street, they met a woman whose son was killed by the police and was holding a one-woman Occupy protest. Then along came a remarkable young man named Michael Tubbs, a recent Stanford graduate who’d grown up in Stockton’s crime-ridden housing projects and had come home to run for city council. (He made national news when Oprah Winfrey gave his campaign $10,000; in the November election, he won.) Tubbs stood next to the bronze of Martin Luther King Jr. and talked about children dying in Stockton “because they were born into poverty,” friends and family members of his who’d been killed, and how “it takes courage to come here. So thanks.” He spoke of the privilege of going to college and the responsibility that comes with that education. “The question is how to bring purpose to that privilege. What are you going to do with it?”

That question lingered as the group listened to Mexican-American farmworkers and labor organizers talk of backbreaking work and of family, dignity, and justice. Francisco Aguilar, a retired farmworker who moved to the Central Valley from Guadalajara when he was 14, demonstrated the punishing work of cutting asparagus and beets, which he once did 10 hours a day for $14. The pesticides he was exposed to in the fields gave him leukemia, he said without self-pity.

“I passed through many things, but I survived,” he said. “If you fall down, get up, keep going. You can do anything you want.”

Like most of the others, Boscacci had never met a fellow like “Don Francisco,” as he took to calling Aguilar.

“I was moved by his story, and hope to spread it,” said the aspiring filmmaker, who found the entire Stockton experience sobering. “I’ve always lived in low-crime, friendly communities,” he said. But here, “the things we read in textbooks in history and social justice–themed classes are jumping off the pages and speaking to me live in the flesh. And that’s a fantastic learning experience.”

It was an illuminating and exhausting day: Along with everything else, there was Mass in the parish church—where the group met a second mother whose son had been killed. There was a Mexican feast at the community cultural center provided by volunteers whose welcoming generosity moved the students. And there was a second Mass, at sunset, conducted in a field by the river at a migrant workers’ camp.

Something about the experience of walking, constantly, changes your body’s chemistry, Fr. Dean told the group, when he later thanked them again for making the journey to the place he calls home. Walking is something he knows; he once spent three years walking to Israel. “It really plants you with the earth,” he said.

DAYS SIX AND SEVEN: GOLDEN STATE PASTORAL

In the morning, Popalisky and company got a lift to the Stockton city limits, where they climbed onto rented bikes and rode 26 miles to the historic mining town of Copperopolis, pedaling a pastoral stretch of Highway 4 past walnut groves, cornfields, and a Hereford bull breeding ranch, huffing up and coasting down the rolling foothills. Being out in the open again figured into questions that Bloyd asked the students later:  What does it mean to be open? What can be opened? What are the opened things we’ve seen?  Doors, blossoms, the sky, the self.

Far from the bleak streets of Stockton, they swam at a Copperopolis resort and slept on the lawn of the Thomas Kinkade–like town center, where  Catherine Borst ’14 , a mechanical engineering student who’s a fine violinist, jammed with a local guitarist, and Chris Lum performed a dance with iridescent LED gloves.

What does it mean to be open? What can be opened? What are the opened things we’ve seen?

On the road to Lake Tulloch the following day, Edward Rooks pointed out an osprey nest atop a phone pole. A few miles on, they came across an organic community garden run by a bearded bear of a man who invited them to pick some fruit and eat it, gratis.

“I expected to see a lot of things I’d never seen before,” Borst said, “and lo and behold, I’m seeing lots of things I’ve never seen before, like a guy in the middle of pretty much nowhere asking us to eat some strawberries.”

She, too, was stirred by what she’d seen in Stockton. “It was saddening and inspiring at the same time,” she said.

DAYS SEVEN AND EIGHT: “YOU GUYS SANG THE WHOLE WAY, RIGHT?“

Near the junction to the Gold Country village of Jamestown, the Santa Clarans were greeted by Carlos Geisdorff, a round, sturdy man with a long black braid and a trim goatee. He’s the cultural coordinator for the Tuolumne Miwok tribe that has lived on these oak-rich lands for millennia. A genial man who likes to laugh—“You guys sang the whole way, right?” he asked the tired trekkers—Geisdorff brought an air-conditioned bus from the tribe’s income-generating Black Oak Casino to ferry the group up to the wooded 200-acre “rez,” as he calls his ancestral land.

In fact, they  were  singing, sometimes. They also came up with other words for what they were doing: sweating, sitting, sliding, laughing, stumbling, persevering, staggering, swinging across, rapping, slogging, striding, moving, stomping, noticing, meandering, limping, caravanning, struggling, mincing, dancing.

Geisdorff, 36, was born in the East Bay town of Pittsburg, but his grandmother was born in a shack on the reservation where he now lives with his wife, four daughters, and 200 others. He has been teaching Miwok kids to speak their largely forgotten native language and developing ways to write it. Popalisky had come to visit while mapping out the trip. Intrigued by the class, Geisdorff invited the group to camp overnight and share a meal and some Miwok songs. The group was allowed to enter the round house and taught the right way to come and go from that sacred structure. One rule: Leave the “madness” of the world outside.

“What they’re doing is cool,” Geisdorff told me. “They’re doing what Indians have been doing forever—walking a trail.”

The group learned Miwok blessings and laughing songs. Phyllis Montgomery, a 78-year-old tribal elder, painted a vivid picture of life on the land where she and her 12 siblings grew up. She talked about surviving mostly on what nature provided, learning to gut a deer, to gather mushrooms, and to grind  nupa , or acorns, for biscuits.

“It was a hard life, but not brutal hard,” said the spry elder, who expressed wonder and thanks that she’d lived long enough to see Miwok kids graduating from college. Then she served up some ancient wisdom: “If you take care of Mother Nature, she’ll take care of you. Whenever you’re out there, don’t take more than you can use.”

You couldn’t ask for a more succinct description of environmental sustainability. That’s what the Santa Clarans were talking about the next day after saying so long to Geisdorff, who’d joined them in the morning circle blessing (Popalisky lit the ceremonial stick, wrapped in medicinal mugwort leaves, presented to the group as a parting gift). Geisdorff said, “I hope the Creator blesses you in your journeys.”

They ascended into the Sierras to Groveland, where they dug into graywater reclamation issues with Regina Hirsch of the Mountain Sage Nursery. A day off to chill, then onward to Yosemite. As they approached the valley in the days to come, they saw a California Sister butterfly, and smelled pearly everlasting flowers, incense cedar, and purple lupine.

ARRIVAL: “IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.”

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” said strapping Russell Wetherley. A member of SCU’s varsity crew team, he was describing the vast panorama visible from Half Dome, which he’d just climbed with  Diana Bustos ’11 , a recent grad who studied arts and urban education, and who shared the chaperoning duties and doubled as videographer. They were getting hugs and high-fives from their traveling buds, who’d spent the past two days in Yosemite Valley exploring on their own.

Late the next afternoon, with Half Dome in the distance and sun flickering through golden aspen leaves, Wetherley performed his Walk Across California poems, including a potent ode to Stockton.  Olivia Li ’15 , a business major, read a poem about graffiti she’d seen in west Oakland—told from the point of view of the inner-city kids who’d written it—and another about generosity.

“If you want to do something challenging, take this class,” Li said later that evening, when the class gathered one last time before Lum lit up Curry Village with his swirling gloves.

Wetherley agreed: “It will change your life.” He also acknowledged that when he first read about the course, it sounded like a hippie class. But, he said, weeks and hundreds of miles later, “This is as real as it gets.”

Borst conveyed those feelings, as well as the exhilarating swing of walking and the reverence that Yosemite inspires, in the soulful violin improvisation she performed along the Merced as a family of mergansers floated past. Environmental sciences major  Ian McCluskey ’15 , a veteran camper and hiker, offered an evocative and funny rap on the journey. Popalisky also sang, with dramatic flair, a delightful Walk Across California song, which touched warmly on everyone in the group. “Together we did it,” he concluded, “we blessed this space.”

What else did they do? They learned, as Boscacci said, how to move at what seems a snail’s pace—“which is really our natural pace.” They learned, as Borst said, many small things: how to get blisters on new parts of your feet, and the quantity of rocks and roadkill between San Francisco and Yosemite. They learned, as Bloyd said, how little time it took to be outdoors for hours each day and see that manifested on one’s skin—“because the body has its memory.” And, she said, “I was doing this supposedly incredible thing. But what was incredible was the place around me, and that dwarfed my tiny steps. And I felt that many times.”

There, at the culmination of the journey, Popalisky teared up.

“They did everything I could’ve hoped for,” he said. “They spoke with confidence and love, and expressed things they discovered about themselves and about this great state.”

They also cultivated a sense of wonder and caught stories they never could have imagined. Many have recognized that it has changed them profoundly, though exactly  how  is something still unfolding.

Would they do it again? Someone will. Another Walk Across California is planned for 2014.

• Spring 2013

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Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Kai Harris, Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, specializes in fiction, African Diaspora writing, and the slave narrative genre. In addition to fiction, Kai has published poetry, personal essays, and peer-reviewed academic articles on topics related to Black girlhood and womanhood, mental health, social justice, generational trauma, and Black identity. A graduate of Western Michigan University’s Ph.D. program, Harris was the recipient of the university’s Gwen Frostic Creative Writing Award in Fiction for her short story, “While We Live.” Her writing and research have inspired paper presentations and lectures at multiple venues, including the Mellon Emerging Scholars Conference and the National Black Writers Conference. Dr. Harris’s most recent research and teaching focuses on trauma aware self-care, youth-centered social justice and activism, coming-of-age stories for BIPOC women, and mental health awareness in the Black community.

As a writer, Dr. Harris uses her voice to uplift the Black community through realistic fiction centered on the Black experience. Her work has appeared in Guernica, Kweli Journal, Longform , and the Killens Review of Arts & Letters , among others. Harris’s debut novel, What the Fireflies Knew , is forthcoming on February 1, 2022 from Tiny Reparations Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. This coming-of-age novel is told from the perspective of eleven-year-old KB, as she and her sister try, over the course of a summer, to make sense of their new life with their estranged grandfather after the death of their father and disappearance of their mother. Learn more about Harris at  www.kaiharriswrites.com and on social media @authorkaiharris.

Ph.D. in Creative Writing, Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) M.A. in English with a specialization in Creative Writing, Belmont University (Nashville, TN) B.A. in English Language & Literature, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)

February 2, 2024

Kai Harris discusses her experience at the Humanities Without Walls (HWW) Career Diversity summer interactive workshop held annually from 2015 to 2023 in their online article.

February 2, 2023

Kai Harris' novel What the Fireflies Knew (Random House) is listed among the nominations for Outstanding Literary Work by a Debut Author . The NAACP Image Awards ceremony takes place on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, CA.

November 16, 2022

Kai Harris' novel "What the Fireflies Knew" was selected as one of three books for Silicon Valley Reads 2023.