Can a house be too big/make you feel lost?

PunkRoquefort

I am single, but in the fortunate position where I can buy a much larger house, in the area I live in, although I live alone and content where I am, in a 3 bed detached house in a sought after area.

Is it possible for a house to be too large and make you feel lost?

ThisIsWeird

I think many folk get to this stage when, for example, their kids have left home. It's technically referred to as 'rattling around'

But, 'lost'? I wouldn't have thought so.

It's the situation we find ourselves in at the mo' - both kids away for the majority of the time, and the house feels quiet and empty, but the extra space is still good to have. And was a boon when bro broke his leg recently, and convalesced with us for 4+ months - it just wasn't an issue, but certainly would have been in a smaller house.

So, enjoy. Invite friends and relatives to stay. Entertain. Enjoy having a sitting room and a chilling room and a music room and a games room.

As long as you can suck up the extra cost - council tax, energy costs, maintenance.

Is there any particular reason why you are drawn to this 3-bed home? Do you feel you ought to buy as big as you can?

PunkRoquefort

No particular reason. I just occasionally get the idea of moving, although my current house is plenty big enough and in the best location in our developement.

Yes, rattling around is an expression I was thinking of too.

Can a house for one person bee too large to feel cosy?

PunkRoquefort

The house I currently have is a 3 bed detached in a pricey part of town.

ThisIsWeird

PunkRoquefort said:

No particular reason. I just occasionally get the idea of moving, although my current house is plenty big enough and in the best location in our developement.

Yes, rattling around is an expression I was thinking of too.

Can a house for one person be too large to feel cosy?

I'd personally suggest 'no'. You'd soon get used to the size, and would equally look forward to 'coming home' to your house regardless of its size.

But, if I were looking at a largish house as a single person, I would be looking for additional reception rooms rather than a couple of spare bedrooms. If you only have one sitting room, then that could be limiting - you might wonder why the heck you have a house that large when you spend all your time in just one room. A second recep room gives you the option of making a 'snug' for, say, music or reading, the main sitting room being for the TV or when folk come over.

I would definitely miss not having spare room rooms.

FreeBear

PunkRoquefort said: Is it possible for a house to be too large and make you feel lost?

A mansion set in 40 acres, perhaps, but an average 3 bed semi, no. Set a room or two aside for hobbies, and perhaps reserve the smallest bedroom for guests. If you desire company, get a lodger in to make use of another bedroom as well as provide a bit of extra money.

PunkRoquefort

I have considered a 4 bed detached, 3 bathrooms, separate dining room and living room.

I am, however, a person who prefers privacy in my own home and rarely have visitors.

The larger houses where I live do not have the good view of a field that I have.

ThisIsWeird

PunkRoquefort said:

I have considered a 4 bed detached, 3 bathrooms, separate dining room and living room.

I am, however, a person who prefers privacy in my own home and rarely have visitors.

The larger houses where I live do not have the good view of a field that I have.

In that case I'd put views and location waaaay above a larger-than-necessary house.

naf123

There is also devil in the detail- you know and happy with your neighbours etc . Moving risks all that . Have you considered building an extension ? Maybe a basement in the garden ?

Simonon77

I think it can be a waste paying for rooms we never actually use just for the sake of living somewhere bigger. Often a bigger house is better as it has larger rooms and gardens, may be further away from neighbours etc.. which are bonuses.

If you have the money to move somewhere better, maybe look at houses around the same size you have now but in better locations with more space around them.  

"I have considered a 4 bed detached, 3 bathrooms, separate dining room and living room"

Why have 3 bathrooms when you live on your own? You only need one and would find you never use the others other than to clean them! 

I live on my own in a 3 bed bungalow. It is handy as I work from home, so need one room for an office, one is for storage plus I have a garage / workshop that I use. I rarely use the living room as dont have visitors often, and really it is too big to be cosy.

If I didn't work from home and need the space for that, I would be quite happy in a 2 bed place with one smaller reception room

Simonon77

On the same note I have a friends, and two of them live in a 5 bed house with 4 large reception rooms, two bathrooms and two utility rooms. The only rooms they really use are their two bedrooms and the smaller of the reception rooms