Pet Bird Flying Around the House?

I don't own a pet bird either, but know some friends who do. They have outside cages though on their patio, which I think is better. I would not be comfortable having birds fly all over the room. I would want them to exercise their wings, so I would have to place them in a space that has newspapers or somewhere bird poop is allowed to land. I could also take them to another area where they can return to me when they finish playing. I noticed that even wild birds return to their familiar nesting spot and do not completely leave the yard. I would hope the same for a pet bird as long as I don't release it out where it won't return.