Minimal changes to existing system with instanced solution (no new wards necessary)

I think there is a fairly simple solution to housing that merges the current system with an instanced housing system that already mostly exists.

Create an additional 3 plots in each zone - one large, one medium, one small. Each of these plots have a fixed exterior that includes a chocobo stable, mini aetheryte, mailbox and seasonal decorations decided by the devs - these are not customizable. When you enter the door, you get the same instanced menu as the apartments. The only difference is that the inside is commensurate with the size of the plot you purchased.

These are the only plots available for personal housing.

Every other plot is for FC only. All existing personal houses get merged into the instanced system, keeping the interior intact, and their exterior decorations are put in the storeroom (still accessible outside via the housing menu).

While this is a slight downgrade for existing owners, it bolsters community within each ward because each house would be FC owned and the outside of the personal house would be a social hub. This also prevents the need for additional wards.

The most difficult issue to address would be gardening. Although, this could be solved by giving each personal house access to a greenhouse in place of the Free Company workshop.

I think this is one of the best solutions for the interior/exterior dilemma that I've heard so far. I especially like the thought of a greenhouse for personal housing where the workshop is for FC's. Brilliant, just, can we make it accessible via a different door, like one on the stairs that almost no one uses? I think that would be better placement than against the left corner of the upstairs wall when you enter a house.

Nope... you say slight downgrade for personal houses when you actually are removing 1/3 of the space a house has... a better solution would be more apartments with new crossbreeding flower pots and public access workshops and airship docks... in addition to adding more wards and limiting property ownership to 1 personal house & 1 FC house per account...