I have always found the location of the flap selector rather odd. In the C172 aircraft I have flown it has always been below the control column of the RH seat. During solo flight this necessitates a pilot on short field finals to stretch across to the right after first lossening his torso restraint to drop the last stage of flap and, as I mentioned earlier, in the case of the C172M check the indicator.
I was lucky enough to fly a PA28 Piper Warrior III for the summer flying season a couple of years ago, here the flaps are easy to operate as a handbrake lever giving a very definate feel to the flap operation.
I suspect there is a reason and most likely as you say styling or marketing.