Walk up to the North Portico, and you aren't just looking at a house. It's a 132-room labyrinth that’s currently undergoing its most radical transformation since Harry Truman literally gutted the place in the late 1940s. If you haven't checked the news lately, the East Wing is basically gone—demolished to make way for a massive $400 million ballroom.
People always ask: is it like a museum or a home? Honestly, it’s both. And it’s kind of a construction zone right now.
Most of us only see the snippets on the news—the gold-trimmed backdrop of the Oval Office or the red-carpeted halls during a state dinner. But the actual layout is a mix of high-stakes office space, 18th-century "parlors," and a private residence that feels surprisingly like a normal (albeit very fancy) apartment on the top floors. Here is what's actually happening behind the white-painted sandstone.
The State Floor: Where the "Magic" Happens
This is the part you see on the public tours. If you manage to snag a ticket through your Member of Congress, this is where they’ll march you through. It’s the "public" face of the building, and it's designed to impress.
- The East Room: This is the big one. It’s the largest room in the house. Historically, it was used for everything from drying laundry (thanks, Abigail Adams) to hosting rock concerts and bill signings. It’s famous for the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington—the one Dolley Madison saved from the British in 1814.
- The Color Suite: You’ve got the Green, Blue, and Red Rooms. They’re basically a series of connected parlors. The Blue Room is the only oval-shaped one on this floor and is often used for receiving lines. The Red Room is smaller and feels much cozier, usually used for smaller teas or gatherings.
- The State Dining Room: It can seat about 140 people. Right now, it’s under immense pressure because the former East Wing event space is a pile of rubble.
One thing you’ll notice in 2026? Gold. Lots of it. Recent updates have added a "maximalist" touch to many of these historic spaces. We’re talking 24-karat gold decals on the walls of the Cabinet Room and gilded mirrors that make the place look more like a high-end European palace than a traditional federal building.
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The Ground Floor: The Engine Room
Most people don't realize the "Ground Floor" is actually below the State Floor you see from the street. It’s where the real work happens. It’s home to the White House Kitchen, which is surprisingly small given it has to serve hors d'oeuvres to a thousand people at a time.
This floor also houses the Library, the Map Room (where FDR tracked World War II), and the China Room. The China Room is exactly what it sounds like—a massive, literal collection of plates used by every president since the beginning. It’s actually a pretty cool way to see how tastes have changed from the floral patterns of the 1800s to the more modern designs.
The West Wing and the "Upper West Wing"
The West Wing is where the power is. It’s surprisingly cramped. Think narrow hallways, bustling aides, and a very "West Wing" TV show vibe, minus the dramatic lighting.
The Oval Office
The Oval Office is the centerpiece. In 2026, it has been heavily customized. The decor now features gold filigree, custom carvings, and nearly 20 presidential portraits on the walls—a huge jump from the traditional six. The vibe has shifted from "minimalist executive" to something much more ornate, inspired by the aesthetics of Mar-a-Lago.
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The New Symmetry
As of early 2026, there’s a new proposal on the table: the Upper West Wing. Because the new East Wing ballroom is going to be so tall (matching the height of the main residence), architects are planning to add a second story to the West Wing colonnade. President Trump has called this the "Upper West Wing," intended for extra office space or "First Ladies' offices." It’s a move toward "symmetry" that would fundamentally change the silhouette of the building for the first time in a century.
The Private Residence: The Second and Third Floors
This is the part you will never see on a tour. This is where the First Family actually lives.
The Second Floor contains the famous Lincoln Bedroom. Fun fact: Lincoln never actually slept there; it was his office. But it’s where the Gettysburg Address was signed. In late 2025, the bathroom connected to the Lincoln Bedroom was completely renovated. The 1940s art deco green tile (which the current administration called "inappropriate for the Lincoln era") was ripped out and replaced with high-end marble.
The Third Floor is even more private. It used to be an attic, but now it’s a series of guest rooms, a workout room, and a Solarium. The Solarium is arguably the best room in the house—it’s a glass-enclosed lounge that looks out over the South Lawn and the Washington Monument. It’s where families go to actually relax away from the cameras.
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The 2026 Reality: The 90,000-Square-Foot Expansion
The biggest change to what the inside of the White House looks like is the massive construction on the east side. The old East Wing, which was about 150 years old and had some mold and electrical issues, was demolished in late 2025.
In its place, a 90,000-square-foot ballroom is rising.
- It’s designed to hold 1,000 guests (six times the capacity of the old space).
- It features 5-inch thick bulletproof glass.
- The roof is specifically designed to be "drone-proof."
- A "Grand Stair" will connect the new ballroom to the main residence.
How to actually "see" it today
Since the White House is a construction site, tours are often suspended or limited. If you want to get a sense of the interior without a security clearance, your best bet is the White House Visitor Center or the newer "The People’s House" exhibit. They use high-tech digital recreations to let you "walk" through the rooms.
Actionable Insights for the Curious:
- Check the Tour Status: Before planning a trip, check with your local representative. Construction in 2026 means the route changes monthly.
- Virtual Is Better: Use the White House Historical Association’s 360-degree app. It’s updated more frequently than Google Maps and shows the new 2026 decor changes.
- The Best View: If you can’t get inside, the view from the Ellipse (south side) is currently the best way to see the scale of the new East Wing ballroom construction.