How big does a home really need to be?
Some people love living in small, compact homes where they have everything they need and minimal clutter. Others want larger properties with all kinds of amenities. That raises the question of how big should a home be? Generally it comes down to preferences and lifestyle. However, you need to be careful to ensure you won't outgrow the space or suddenly find you're only occupying a small piece of a giant property. Let's look into it here, then if you want help with residential architecture in London, you can speak to us.
Thinking about the future
One of the main reasons people choose big homes is they are planning ahead. They want a home for life so there is no need to move. As a result, they ensure they've got space if there are any changes in the future, such as having children, elderly parents moving in, and home workspace.
This kind of thinking can provide some major benefits. Firstly, it ensures you avoid the disruption of needing to find a larger house, pack up and move. More importantly, it can mean avoiding having to pay stamp duty when you move up the housing ladder. It can save thousands of pounds.
Is it still a measure of value?
For a long time larger homes were also a way to display wealth. Having dozens of bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as all the extras like a home cinema, pool, wine cellar, and gym, made a home very valuable. That still applies today to some extent, but there has been a change in attitudes. Now, more people are displaying wealth by focusing on sustainability and cutting back on excess.
Even more interestingly, there is a focus on nature today. The idea of "landscape as a luxury" is really taking off. A smaller house with beautiful views and lovely outdoor space can be worth a premium. Talk to us if you have ideas for residential architecture in London.
Is open plan a problem?
An interesting factor to look at is open plan living. It is the preference today, especially for the main living spaces. However, it could actually lead to people creating bigger properties than they need. They may create extra rooms for privacy to offset the fact the main kitchen, dining area and lounge are connected. Would it be better to think of ways you can subdivide open plan areas when you need private spaces?
The storage conundrum
A major thing that can lead to people needing bigger homes is they require more storage. Whether it is a double garage for vehicles or rooms specifically for collections of vinyl or books, some owners dedicate a huge amount of space to storing their possessions. However, the question here is, are we buying more just to fill the space we have? Could downsizing be an option?
What do you need?
The most important thing is to focus on what you need. Choosing a home that is way too large is a bad idea. It can result in higher daily costs and a bigger impact on the environment than is necessary. At the other end of the spectrum, you don't want to be living in a home that is too small and having a negative impact on your wellbeing.
Talk to us about the size and details of residential architecture in London
Coffey Residential has a real passion for creating beautiful high end homes. The key thing here though is properties can be any size but still be luxurious and comfortable. In fact, clever designs can make the most of any space. We can support clients to help you decide exactly how big your home needs to be, now and in the future.
We're award winning creators of stunning residential architecture in London and other parts of the UK. So, get in touch and let's start designing your home.