It’s normal to dream of owning a big house. But what is it about “big?” Are you ready to foot the bill for heating and cooling costs because of the large house? Then, you may pay a hefty property tax. You can also consider a scenario when your kids will move out for their career or family life. Does it mean you should look for a tiny house? Of course, that isn’t logical, either. You don’t want to feel cramped up in space. Plus, tiny houses may not be attractive to potential buyers. You must analyze your option well when buying or building a new home.
Ask yourself what house is big enough for your needs. Also, your plans with the house, number of kids and their ages, senior family members, frequency of guest visits, and other factors require deeper analysis. If you get the answer that your house should be very spacious after probing into all the aspects, you may have solved one of the puzzles. The next challenge can be budgeting. Larger homes cost more whether you buy or build one. Initially, you can cut your costs on appliances and other details to save for the main structure. Items like budget-friendly faucets for the bathroom and kitchen and many such things are available. These help a little. Now, let’s delve into concrete details to determine the suitable house size options for everyone on average.
Family size Vs. floor area
It can be challenging to predict how many people will live with you and decide the house size based on it. But some industry averages indicate the direction you might take and benefit for the long term. Suppose a household has 2.6 people. It is a rare scenario because most families tend to be larger than this. Plus, family size is reducing with time while the houses are getting bigger. The trends in 1973 suggested most homes measured about 1660 sq ft. Today, the average home size is 2,631 square feet. Nevertheless, some households will have more family members and some fewer. While a 2,631 square feet house can feel like a mansion to some, others may find it crowded.
So, it’s essential to know whether you are okay with 2,600 square feet home or need more space. Most homes of this size boast gabled roofs, fireplaces, dining rooms, guestrooms, laundry rooms, and family rooms. High ceilings and plenty of windows can be the standard construction features. Some can also have a flex room for gaming and office work. Many houses have two or three stories, and significant others accommodate at least three bathrooms.
Layout planning
Another aspect that can help you choose a better home size is the floor design. Evaluate your needs, and you can get the most coveted answers. For instance, most households search for large kitchens, but it will not help if you don’t cook or entertain guests much. Still, you can allot 10% more area to kitchen than other parts of the house on average based on the total number of rooms you have. Since you have to assess everything before making a move, decisions are slightly tricky. Another critical area can be the primary or master bedroom.
In most cases, the main bedroom and the kitchen room sizes are the same. To put it more interestingly, these two rooms alone capture the one-fifth square footage of the house. Isn’t this surprising?
Some experts warn that it can be a misleading notion, though. For instance, some kitchens can have dining space also. Likewise, master bedrooms can be more extensive than kitchens if they have a separate attached bathroom. Calculations become more complicated when you look at the rooms’ usage and location. These heavily affect your expectations about the size. Still, builders’ associations propose common choices to ease stress.
The main bedroom can be 300 sq ft, taking over 12% of the property size, and the primary bathroom can be 154 square feet. A kitchen can be the same size as the main bedroom, and the dining area can be 192 sq ft. A 296 square feet family room and 223 square feet living room can also be acceptable. Other bedrooms can occupy about 432 square feet. The remaining space can include foyers, a pantry, a laundry room, a basement, extra bathrooms, etc. You can take a clue from these estimates to add or subtract square footage for dedicated corners.
A few other key points
Choosing between a small and big house can feel like a constant tussle. But historical data suggest that smaller homes have been the trend. The 1950s homes averaged about 983 square feet, and 2004 saw the average size increasing to 2,340 square feet. The current trends hint that most homes are more than 2,600 square feet. If you cannot get over the confusion about what size to choose, you may fall back on your budget for some hint. Everyone knows smaller footprints cause less to build and maintain than larger homes. Energy bills also reduce. You can save tremendously in areas like roof replacement, painting, and flooring. You can also account for landscaping costs.
Another advantage of choosing a tiny house can be having the flexibility to spend more on quality building materials. You can buy better cabinets, flooring, countertops, and tiles that increase the life expectancy of the house.
Simply put, the definition of a big or small house is subjective. Someone find a 2500 sq ft home too big, while others can find it too small. These perceptions vary because of individual needs and lifestyle choices. Also, seniors usually look for smaller homes for easy maintenance and fewer injury risks. So, when you build or purchase your new home, evaluate what matters the most in your life, decide how you plan to use a specific room, and focus on your bank balance. All these components can reinforce your decision, and you can own your new address wholeheartedly. Once the house is ready and inhabitable, you can improve its interiors as you get a free hand.