Dec
26

Finding an Ideal Size and Layout for a Modern Family Home

Finding or building the right home for your family can be a tedious task, especially if you’re not sure about its size and layout. Today, there are so many different designs to choose from that you can easily get overwhelmed and confused. But, as long as you have a good self-storage spot to safely store your possessions, you can take your time and find a home of a perfect size and layout for your family.

Think about bedroom-living space ratio

While the square footage of homes is constantly getting bigger, bigger isn’t always better for your family. The size of your home should depend on the way your square footage is assembled.

If you strike the right ratio between bedrooms and living spaces, you will probably be happy with the size of your home. The bedroom count should be your primary concern when it comes to the total square footage. The ideal setup would include one bedroom for every family member and one room for guests. So, two adults and one kid would require a four-room house and so on.

Bathrooms need to be considered

Ideally, every bedroom should have its own, private bathroom. However, most of us can’t really afford that ideal setup. What you can do in that case is building one bathroom upstairs and one downstairs. The upstairs bathroom should be reserved for the family, so you can customize it 100% and feel comfortable and free. The downstairs or guest bathroom can be reserved for overnight guests and day guests. This will make it easier to keep both of your bathrooms clean and practical.

What’s the ideal layout for family homes?

Since you’re looking for a family home, it’s safe to assume that you have or will have a baby soon. In that case, your layout will need to fit the needs of your kid. The nursery needs to be close by—ideally, it should share a wall with your bedroom.

Other rooms and bedrooms shouldn’t share walls. This will ensure the best privacy and noise control. One story houses can have bedrooms on each side of the house, and if bedrooms are close together, they can easily be buffered by closets or a bathroom. Two (or more) story houses don’t need to have bedrooms on top of each other. Instead, one or two bedrooms can be in the front and one or two in the back of the house. Ideally, your master bedroom should be located at the back, away from the noise. Your mind will be blown while sleeping in this sort of setup—the peace and quiet will provide everyone with sound sleep and privacy. Finding such a property might be hard, but you can try consulting professionals that can help you on your journey. Australians have a neat way of seeking information on real estate in Northern Beaches. They don’t hesitate to ask for professional help which can come in very handy when looking through hundreds of properties. If you can find a reliable pro, they will greatly help during your search and ensure you end up with a perfect house for your needs.

Adult space is very important

People with kids usually put them first and totally neglect their needs. However, if you’re a busy parent that works all day and comes back home exhausted, you have the right to treat yourself to some escapism. So, building a good adult space like a cigar lounge or whiskey room can be a great idea. This space can be used for spending time with your spouse after kids go to sleep, hosting parties or having lazy evenings with friends and wine. In order to make this space comfortable and grownup, you can add a classy element like a fireplace or make it more attractive with natural stone cladding, dark colors and mate finishes for that contemporary look. If you have space, a pool table and an elegant bar will also fit perfectly into your 21+ room.

Think about the future of your family

You might have a small family today, but is that your final number of family members? Before buying or building a house, consider whether you want more kids and where are you planning to house them. Or you might be willing to welcome a senior family member and provide them with help and safety. You never know what the future holds, so make sure to have a flexible size and layout. Luckily, if you plan well, you will always be able to expand your house and build bump-outs, create outdoor rooms and add a garage or granny flat.

Don’t neglect your property surroundings

If you already have a plot of land, then you can’t do a lot about the surrounding grounds, but it if you’re just choosing your property, it’s best to find a home that can be (or is) surrounded by flat land. In case you’re concerned about privacy and noise, keep in mind that the larger the buffer between your house and road and entrance, the better it is for safety and noise. When searching for a property, make sure to ask how much of the surrounding ground is flat. These surfaces can be easily turned into playgrounds, gardens, pools and other commodities.

Think about sustainability and eco-friendliness

Additionally, your sustainability also needs to count. If you’re a modern family looking for a modern home, you need to take this into consideration. No matter what you do, smaller homes are always more sustainable, especially when equipped with good insulation, energy-saving fixtures, and solar panel systems. If being green is something that’s important to you, it’s smart to reduce the square footage of your home. In case you need additional space for possessions, you can always build a garage or rent a storage space—it’s much cheaper and greener than adding extra rooms or floors to your house.

Building or buying a perfect home for your family will take a lot of patience and effort. However, if you pick the right size and the right layout, you will end up with a home that will serve you for years and years and always be comfortable and welcoming. No matter how much your family changes, your well-designed home can do the same—that should be your main goal!

By: Lilly Miller
Lilly is a graphic designer and a passionate writer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. Based in Sydney, but world is her playground.