Today I saw on the News (not sure what State) this backyard that had a retractable yard part over the swimming pool, That way you don't lose yard space to a pool. I thought it was really cool.
You couldn't tell that there was a pool underground.
Last weekend we toured a mansion in Downtown Denver that was built in 1898. The rooms were really a nice size but the closets were really small. My son said "how can you get any clothers in there?" I had to explain, that way back then, people didn't have a lot of clothers. You may have had a few items but nothing like we do today.