Houses - how big would you go?
Discussion
Ours is going to be about 2500sq ft in the main house ((floorspace, not footprint) with a three bay man cave with office/shower room above so it keeps all the car stuff out the house We've keep rooms to a minimum so three beds/two baths upstairs and living room, kitchen. utility and cloakroom down. There's only the two of us and we don't want to be encouraging guests...
The plot is four acres of overgrown jungle but will soon house my two horses and stable block. That's how the hubster got away with large mancave
The plot is four acres of overgrown jungle but will soon house my two horses and stable block. That's how the hubster got away with large mancave
House being built at the moment is around about 2500 sq ft, current rental property we are in is about 2000sq ft. Both seem about the right size. There is only 2 of us, well 3 if you include the dog. However if the hypothetical lottery win came I seriously doubt I would go for a mansion. But then again you never know as I would love to have the amount land that comes with mansions.
I live in a modest 3 bed terraced house, 12x10' living room, 18'x12' dining kitchen, bed 1 and 2 are about 10'x10', Bed 3 - 7'x5' and a single bathroom, about 7'x5'. I also have a 20'x20' garden at the back.
I wouldn't look for too much more, as things are ok for just me, and my daughters coming to visit every other weekend, but if money was no object, and space was available, I would add the following -
A little more space in the living room and dining room - or at least make the space more usable, too many corners at the moment.
An office for when I work from home - at present I use the dining room table and a small computer desk in the corner of the dining room.
A fourth bedroom with en-suite, I'd use this, in order that either both girls could have similar sized rooms. This would let me have a spare single room for if a mate wants to stop over after a boozy night.
A small gym - rowing machine, running machine, excersize bike, a small selection of weights, so nothing huge.
A garage for 2 or 3 cars, and space to work on and around them. Ideally with a courtyard type of space, so I don't need to put the cars away in the garage or on the road if I am just popping in and out. At the moment, I leave my car on the road opposite my house, or on the drive which is in the back garden, but means a right hoohaa!
(Going into the house, turning the alarm off, opening the multitude of bolts and locks on the back door, unlocking the gates into my garden, back into the house, locking at least one of the locks on the back door, out of the front door, locking that, driving around to the end of the block, unlocking the gates at the end of the lane which runs up the back of the house, driving car through, locking said gates, drive down to my drive, 20 point turn to get car into drive as lane isn't wide enough to swing it in, close gates on drive, unlock back door, and back into the house, locking up afterwards!)
I wouldn't look for too much more, as things are ok for just me, and my daughters coming to visit every other weekend, but if money was no object, and space was available, I would add the following -
A little more space in the living room and dining room - or at least make the space more usable, too many corners at the moment.
An office for when I work from home - at present I use the dining room table and a small computer desk in the corner of the dining room.
A fourth bedroom with en-suite, I'd use this, in order that either both girls could have similar sized rooms. This would let me have a spare single room for if a mate wants to stop over after a boozy night.
A small gym - rowing machine, running machine, excersize bike, a small selection of weights, so nothing huge.
A garage for 2 or 3 cars, and space to work on and around them. Ideally with a courtyard type of space, so I don't need to put the cars away in the garage or on the road if I am just popping in and out. At the moment, I leave my car on the road opposite my house, or on the drive which is in the back garden, but means a right hoohaa!
(Going into the house, turning the alarm off, opening the multitude of bolts and locks on the back door, unlocking the gates into my garden, back into the house, locking at least one of the locks on the back door, out of the front door, locking that, driving around to the end of the block, unlocking the gates at the end of the lane which runs up the back of the house, driving car through, locking said gates, drive down to my drive, 20 point turn to get car into drive as lane isn't wide enough to swing it in, close gates on drive, unlock back door, and back into the house, locking up afterwards!)
I've just looked, when our current work is complete we'll be just under 2800 sq ft. Downstairs we have a music room/second lounge, utility room with a loo and a open kitchen living dining room.
Upstairs we have 4 double bedrooms, a box room and a study with one family bathroom, toilet and a shower room.
The next step of work will be to sort out upstairs so we have 4 double rooms, a study, large family bathroom, dressing room and en suite..
We are in the middle of an acre of garden..
When we were planning the work we contemplated extending out to the side (it is still an option) but to be honest I really don't think we'll need to. It would add 50% to the house but we already have enough bedrooms with one spare, a decent sized living area (we have 65 people in it the other day). It still needs tweaking and we might knock into the garage at some point to give us a small sitting room for the cold winter nights
To be honest is it more about how we are using what we have, creating a big open plan living/kitchen area that opens onto the garden has really improved the quality of life for us.
The builders are supposed to finish tomorrow... only 10 weeks late!
Upstairs we have 4 double bedrooms, a box room and a study with one family bathroom, toilet and a shower room.
The next step of work will be to sort out upstairs so we have 4 double rooms, a study, large family bathroom, dressing room and en suite..
We are in the middle of an acre of garden..
When we were planning the work we contemplated extending out to the side (it is still an option) but to be honest I really don't think we'll need to. It would add 50% to the house but we already have enough bedrooms with one spare, a decent sized living area (we have 65 people in it the other day). It still needs tweaking and we might knock into the garage at some point to give us a small sitting room for the cold winter nights
To be honest is it more about how we are using what we have, creating a big open plan living/kitchen area that opens onto the garden has really improved the quality of life for us.
The builders are supposed to finish tomorrow... only 10 weeks late!
98elise said:
Total floor area is the norm, not footprint.
Houses in the UK start at around 5-600sq ft for very small victorian terrace's. These come with negligable land/gardens. Even by UK standards these are small.
In Canada and they quote footprint area, not total floor area. So that's useful to know.Houses in the UK start at around 5-600sq ft for very small victorian terrace's. These come with negligable land/gardens. Even by UK standards these are small.
Sleepers said:
Have a large house with more like grounds than garden and is bloody hard work especially being and old place.
Many moons ago when living in Wimpey houses etc you can put your feetup and chill after work but in this place...
The wife likes a clean house with nothing out of place so that is never ending task which has to be balanced with maintining the garden/out buildings etc. So basically there is something that needs done every single day to keep things maintained and under control. Sometimes I have to pay for a gardner otherwise we have no chance.
Basically the house and grounds are my life so no telly, computer games etc I cycle [my only real hobby] to work for exercise then rest before it all starts again
However the place comes alive with parties etc and still have to pinch myself now and again to remind ourselves what we have... Great for kids, it's a real adventure for them, summer houses with their stuff, woodland trails, rivers, gardens etc ...
My rule of thumb for when it gets to big is when you get fed up trying to find the wife in the garden! I did get wakie takies but she won't use them If only the council supplied skips for garden waste rather than two poxy bins.
Described my situation well there, we have 4000' and just an acre , the skip and walkie talky comment made me laugh out loud as it is what happened here.Many moons ago when living in Wimpey houses etc you can put your feetup and chill after work but in this place...
The wife likes a clean house with nothing out of place so that is never ending task which has to be balanced with maintining the garden/out buildings etc. So basically there is something that needs done every single day to keep things maintained and under control. Sometimes I have to pay for a gardner otherwise we have no chance.
Basically the house and grounds are my life so no telly, computer games etc I cycle [my only real hobby] to work for exercise then rest before it all starts again
However the place comes alive with parties etc and still have to pinch myself now and again to remind ourselves what we have... Great for kids, it's a real adventure for them, summer houses with their stuff, woodland trails, rivers, gardens etc ...
My rule of thumb for when it gets to big is when you get fed up trying to find the wife in the garden! I did get wakie takies but she won't use them If only the council supplied skips for garden waste rather than two poxy bins.
The difficulty in replying to this thread is the replies you will get. You are either bragging or called out as not telling the truth.
I like space. Space is lovely and yes we use it. I like a pool. And yes we use it. My girlfriend likes a gym. And yes she uses it.
The last three moves I have doubled the space each time.
We move into the house we are currently building in June - the space is daft. I know it’s daft but I fancied doing it and looked at houses that size and like them. So I can comment more specifically in June.
We have always used the space we have and enjoy it.
And no I won’t say how many sq ft it is.
I like space. Space is lovely and yes we use it. I like a pool. And yes we use it. My girlfriend likes a gym. And yes she uses it.
The last three moves I have doubled the space each time.
We move into the house we are currently building in June - the space is daft. I know it’s daft but I fancied doing it and looked at houses that size and like them. So I can comment more specifically in June.
We have always used the space we have and enjoy it.
And no I won’t say how many sq ft it is.
jdw1234 said:
We have just bought a c.4,000sqft house on just over an acre plot which has bits made in 1740.
The utility company has informed us the previous owner was spunking £300 per month on gas.
Whats this now? it got to be around £1500 a month surely? (assuming the same usage)The utility company has informed us the previous owner was spunking £300 per month on gas.
Amazing that people now would be thinking thats a bargain
Holy thread bump.
Anyhow, 11 years on from the previous post and after 22 years in the house, we've recently "downsized" from our 5750sq/ft older house in the countryside with 5 acres to a more modern 6235sq/ft and 0.7 acres on a street with neighbours. Probably still overkill for 2 people but it is what it is. Smaller garden (I know it's all relative) is certainly taking a lot of getting used to tho.
Anyhow, 11 years on from the previous post and after 22 years in the house, we've recently "downsized" from our 5750sq/ft older house in the countryside with 5 acres to a more modern 6235sq/ft and 0.7 acres on a street with neighbours. Probably still overkill for 2 people but it is what it is. Smaller garden (I know it's all relative) is certainly taking a lot of getting used to tho.
I couldn't be arsed with a massive house or loads of properties all over the place. I'd just love a home that feels light, airy and open, has loads of natural light and unobstructed long distance views, but is small enough to be managed by me as I don't want strangers rattling around the place.
unbiased said:
Old thread I know, but there's some classic PH willy waving in here.
3000sqft about right for 2 people
Peak PH.
It's all about need, have & want.3000sqft about right for 2 people
Peak PH.
Do 2 need 3000sgft.... nope
If they had 1000sqft could they want 3000 .... of course.
If they had 3500 would they want 3000 .... doubt it
11 years back I posted upthread about having 3000 & could do with 500 more for 2. Since then we "downsixed" & have 1900 in main house with a further 750 in an annex It works but the upstairs is a lot smaller than the downstairs so only a ensuite that comprises a toilet & washbasin in one bedroom & a small bathroom to be shared across all 3 bedrooms I'm sure the PH rabble would criticise it for this very reason
m3jappa said:
jdw1234 said:
We have just bought a c.4,000sqft house on just over an acre plot which has bits made in 1740.
The utility company has informed us the previous owner was spunking £300 per month on gas.
Whats this now? it got to be around £1500 a month surely? (assuming the same usage)The utility company has informed us the previous owner was spunking £300 per month on gas.
Amazing that people now would be thinking thats a bargain
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