Big or small, what's your favourite kind of house?

Norma_Desmond

Big, ancient, rambling, draughty renovation project - but affordable on even one goodish salary because we bought it just before property prices hit the roof over 7 years ago, and for the size of the house it hasn't got a big garden.

But we do have amazing sea / coast / moorland views so a little walled garden is enough for us.

Plus it's our 'forever home'.

Catatonia

I wouldn't want a house that was too big - it would cost too much to heat, and take too much time to clean.

Mazzawa

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Big, ancient, rambling, draughty renovation project - but affordable on even one goodish salary because we bought it just before property prices hit the roof over 7 years ago, and for the size of the house it hasn't got a big garden.

But we do have amazing sea / coast / moorland views so a little walled garden is enough for us.

Plus it's our 'forever home'.

Damn you and your wonderful view.... *jealous*...

avenida

I live in a 3 bed, 2 reception house, rooms a bit on the small size, and theres me, hubby and 2 kids.

Had always wanted a bigger house but just couldnt get something in the area the size we wanted, had the house up for sale 3 times and finding it really hard to settle.

I had to take the house of the market as it was driving me to distraction, in that it was spoiling my enjoyment of family life, however after reading this most of things make sense like what if interest rates go high or someone losing their job etc

Very interesting thread, thanks for starting it up, helping me get rid of itchy feet again

Gwhiz

As the saying goes, "you can never have too much space".

i agree with this up to a point. If you can make space WORK then it's wonderful. If it's just lots and lots of OK rooms then I think it's a waste. Utilizing space correctly is the "art" of an architect and the secret to a great living environment.

At the end of the day though it's about your own personal feelings and choice. I've lived as a single man in 2 houses of just over 3500 sq feet and much prefer something more manageable that does not cost the earth to keep in terms of money or time.

mlz1413

Small terrace house close enough to walk to town and surrounded by local shops and pubs, parking is a nightmare and noise can be an issue, but I love it.

Lived miles from nowhere as a child and its very isolating when you have working parents, vowed never to be far from a shop as an adult.

If I could afford a house with its own parking within required location I would buy it, but I have no desire to be a slave to a mortgage and you can only use one room at once so what I have suits me.

So to me the question of affordable is coupled with location, location, location!

tanith

Small semi 2bed but there are only two of us, its easy to clean, cheap to run and maintain parking for plenty of cars and a spare room if grands want to sleep-over it does for us. Oh and nice friendly neighbours and a quiet road.

hazyjo

Big for me (but not saying everyone should buy big, or borrow every penny they can)! I'm in a 2 bed house at the mo and, since hubby moved in, it just ain't fitting the two of us! We basically have one room downstairs. Large lounge/diner, and a kitchen off it with no door between. We can't even have friends round without the other one feeling banished to the computer/sent to the pub, it's a nightmare having a phone conversation even - I don't really want to sit upstairs on a bed when I want an hour long conversation with someone I've not caught up with for a while.

I suppose we met later and are each used to our space and independence. We have one telly in the house and one place to watch it (we're not keen on tellies in bedrooms). Needless to say I don't always want to watch Claude Van Wotsit or Steven Seagal and he doesn't want to watch anything with Simon Cowell on or anything reality (yes, I do watch some rubbish, but then IMO so does he ).

Hubby only listens to punk music - and when his friends stay, I don't always want to be sitting up 'til sunrise with them, or trying to sleep in our bedroom (above the lounge). The washing machine also drives us mad now - I used to just go on the computer or turn the telly up, but with two of us listening to it spin, it's just another thing to annoy us.

I'm fed up of not having anywhere to put things. No useable windowsills, the rads are all on the 'best' walls for furniture so we struggle to find homes for things or room for bookcases, cupboards, etc. (We both have tonnes of 'stuff'!) The stairs are open into the room too so the sound carries and the heat disappears. The shower curtain freaks me out so I have baths every day (I'm a bit phobic about shower curtains anyway lol!). Have to have two curtains wrapped round in a circle with the shower above your head, as it's a roll-top bath. Have to squeeze round the spare bed to get to the computer desk and then you can barely move. The built-in wardrobe/cupboard in there opens onto the end of the bed so you can only use one door. Nowhere else to put a chest of drawers in the spare room or even bedside tables. No off street parking and sometimes a nightmare finding a space. No garage (for car or as storage). Hubby had a garage with his flat which was more or less full. We're still paying for a storage unit until we move. Not ideal.

So, anyway, as much as I love my house (believe it or not!), we decided to double up. Were both pretty equal on what we owned mortgage-wise, so he sold his, I'm selling mine, and we're buying a 4 bed, 4 storey house. OMG I'll probably never see him Seriously though, I think a bigger house is easier to keep clean/tidy. You're not struggling to get round things, you can actually move the hoover around (I struggle to get it anywhere in my spare room at the mo). I can't wait to have designated rooms that we can label and shut the door on. Every room will get used, but not all the time. We won't have to have every room tidy at the same time! Can't wait to have an 'office/library' (out of one of the bedrooms). We have thousands of books between us and are so excited at getting bookcases in the study and having all our books in there, plus somewhere we can go sit and read them, or use the computer. We can listen to music in any room.

I do feel extravagent, indulgent, spoilt, lucky - humble, even. It's not a palace, and, despite being on 4 floors, doesn't feel huge as it's narrow and tall. I absolutely can't wait to get in and start living the way we want to live. Can't see us ever moving apart from maybe to release some equity or if the house becomes too much for us when we're old(er) and grey(er). Will actually be very surprised to find the bills (apart from council tax and train fares which will be doubled) will be a lot more than what we're paying at the mo. Reckon gas and electric will be about the same as mine's an old Victorian house and the new one's only 8 years old and far more energy efficent than mine. Water will be on a meter (better for us). It's in a nicer area, there are parks, country pubs, green spaces around... I just can't wait.

Oh, and it's certainly got nowt to do with keeping up with the Joneses! Have LOVED my smaller houses and flats. Depends on your lifestyle and budget. I'm not saying everyone should buy big. This house would be way too big for just me, and I'm pretty sure I'd sell if I was left there on my own. Also not sure it would have been right for me and anyone else, but it suits me and hubby.

Certainly no judgements on what people choose, love or afford. I've never had a big house before. We're upsizing because we can afford to and we won't have to move again, and because it will improve our lives and maybe give us more options later in life.

Of course, we might move in and find it just feels too huge for us!

Jx

harrup

What a fun, interesting question - thanks for asking it EltonJohnfan!

To me a house has to FEEL right. A difficult thing to quantify but it really isn't determined by the look or size.

When I was younger I really yearned for one of those pretty "Country living" type of houses. Not a swanky mansion, mind you, just a really pretty house ( detached, 4 beds!) surrounded by a pretty garden ( 1/2 acre).

Oh and, of course, this visual delight had to be exactly WHERE I wanted it to be ( close to town but with great adjacent country walks right on the doorstep).

Totally within our reach - IF we would have been prepared to compromise on our things. Time spent with family, dogs, friends. Travelling abroad. Going out. And most importantly - having a high mortgage.

So we didn't. For many years I thought we made a BIG mistake not going larger, better. Now I cherish my rather ordinary, un-posh house. My neighbours are lovely, the neighbourhood is a safe one, we have no mortgage , a great life style and plenty of savings. The trade-off for living smaller is that, in our case, we can live better. I can furnish and equip my home exactly how I like it without having to worry about the cost. OH can drive a car he likes rather than the most economical one.

And best of all - my house feels like a big, comforting hug to come home to. It's warm and cosy and comfortable and - at least on the inside !- exactly what I wanted.

Houses are tricky beasts - too many things which can elevate or ruin them for you. Lovely neighbours, crappy neighbours, incessantly barking dogs, too crowded or too isolated - we had friends moving to their "rural dream home" a few years ago and they couldn't wait to move back to a more populated place. She said she felt "buried alive". Totally knew where she was coming from and it was the most beautiful house I had ever seen. A house that feels too cramped can feel as wrong as one where one rattles about in.

It's all about "the feel "! Hence to me - if you feel comfortable and happy in your home and surroundings you've got it exactly right. No matter whether the house is big or small, postcard pretty or totally average looking.

Am I still looking for my "dream house"? Sure I am! The pivotal difference is I no longer think my level of happiness is intertwined and determined by it.

LandyAndy

We have a 4 bed detached for the 4 of us. There are 11 rooms in all plus a double garage and brick outbuildings. It's plenty big enough. I can't think of another room that I might need. One thing I do like in a house is the ability to walk round the ground floor in a circle (IYSWIM).