How Big Should My Home Be? Is Bigger Better?

You’ve made the decision to build your new home. To build it exactly how you want it to be – customised perfectly for your taste and lifestyle. It’s an exciting feeling and a big life choice, definitely one that you want to get right from the start.

When building a new home, the first question most people ask themselves is ‘how big should my home be?’ 

When it comes to houses, size does matter. But is bigger better or is smaller superior? 

At the end of the day, it certainly comes down to personal preference, but it’s always a good idea to have a balance. You should think about what you need from a home right now, while also considering what may happen in the future.

We’ve listed 5 important points below which may assist with the question – ‘How big should my house be?’

1. The size of your family

How many family members will be living in your home? Or do you see your family growing in the future? These are the first points you should consider when deciding how big your home needs to be. 

Currently, the average Australian home has 3 bedrooms, but 4 bedroom homes are becoming increasingly popular. Many people like the option of a 4th bedroom to use as a guest bedroom, a study, or to reduce the need for children to have to share a room.

A 4 bedroom home provides that extra bit of space and comfort, without adding too much onto the cost of the build.

Should you be looking to sell your home in the future, this additional bedroom will allow your home to stand out from the national 3 bedroom average, without the home feeling excessively large. Overly spacious homes may be off-putting to a range of buyers.

2. Speaking of the future…

These days, children are staying in the family home usually well into their 20s. And, due to increasing house prices, homeowners are staying in their homes for longer. Considering this, it’s important to think about the space you’ll need going forwards to accommodate a family of grown adults living together. 

Thinking of this dynamic, additional family rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms may be important to factor into your new home build.

3. Do you work from home?

If you, or a family member, work from home then an office space may be a good option to incorporate into your build. 

Having that separate space will allow for your work to be completed efficiently without interruptions. This may also prevent work and family life from intertwining.

4. Consider inside and out 

When looking to build your new home, have you taken into account the outside space? There has been an increase of Australian homes being built right to the edge, using all space possible to make the inside of the home larger. The problem with this is there’s no space left for a garden or outdoor entertaining area. 

If you have children, a backyard will provide an extra space for the kids to play. Or, if you like to entertain at home, then an outdoor entertaining area will be a must for you.

5. Are the stories true? Is bigger better?

A big house does provide a sense of grandeur, but if you’re not using all of the available space it can become a costly investment.

With larger homes comes higher building costs and mortgages. Many people prepare for this and budget accordingly. However, there are other costs associated with larger homes, which may not be fully considered at the time of the build.

Bigger homes require a high commitment to upkeep, which can become time-consuming and expensive. Often there are larger lawns to mow, sizeable rooms to keep clean, more windows to wash, along with the usual general maintenance and repair requirements. 

Extra rooms and larger than average rooms can increase your energy bills when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Rates and home insurance will often be higher too when compared with a smaller house. If your spacious home includes upscale amenities such as a pool, outdoor kitchen, spa, etc. then include the cost and time required for regular upkeep here too. 

And don’t forget the furnishings. If you move into a bigger home you’ll need to purchase furniture for those extra rooms. 

If you’re thinking of building a large-scale home, it may be wise to talk to a financial advisor to ensure these extra costs work in with your future financial goals.

Average sized homes are often more sustainable than excessively large homes as they use less energy when heating and cooling. They cost less to build, and require less housework and maintenance. An average sized home can also allow for a balance between inside and outside space.

To sum up…

When you ask yourself the question ‘how big should my home be?’ it comes down to your personal preferences, the location and size of your block, and taking your future financial goals and growing family into consideration. 

As a general rule, the right-sized home for you is one in which you’ll use all of the available space a majority of the time. There’s not much point of having rooms that you will not use, as this could drain your money unnecessarily. 

An overly large home can be expensive to build, incur increased ongoing costs, and may be off-putting to a range of buyers should you wish to sell at a later date.

Focus on what you need from a home now and in the future. The design of a house can often outweigh the size. A well-designed home is one that is functional with thoughtful design – making use of adequate storage options, natural light and open spaces, with a good flow throughout. 

Properties slightly larger than the average 3 bedroom home are a popular choice in today’s market and offer a cost-effective option when building.

Are you still not sure about how big your home needs to be?

Talk to the team at Lofty Building Group. We’ll work with you to bring your new build visions to reality. 

We are highly experienced custom builders in Adelaide. You’ll work closely with one of our skilled designers to ensure your home will be perfectly tailored to suit your current lifestyle, taking into account your future and family requirements. 

We are truly here for you – we provide honest and open communication every step of the way. We’re adaptable, flexible and reliable and will deliver an exceptional turn-key home that you’ll love now and going forwards, delivered on time and within budget.

Find out more about how the Lofty Group custom home builders can help you get your home right, from the start with no fuss and no stress – from conception to completion.

Adelaide House & Land Packages

 

A House and Land package may be just what you’re looking for when it comes to getting the perfect house for you.

At Lofty Building Group, we offer a comprehensive range of designs, including built-in extras and features that will genuinely accommodate your budget and lifestyle.

The great thing about our House and Land packages is that you’re not restricted by our plans. You’ve got the choice and flexibility to tailor our floor plans to your liking. Our priority is building you the house that’s perfect for YOU.

Find out more about our Adelaide House and Land packages here.