When you’re buying a new home for your family, if you’re like most people, you probably want to upgrade. With more people working and attending school remotely these days, the need for sufficient square footage in Williamsburg, VA is more important than ever. So how do you know how big is big enough, what’s too small and what’s impractically large?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but for the average middle-class family, it’s less about square footage and more about how it’s utilized. Here’s what to look for when you’re buying a new home.
Average homes
The average single-family home size is about 2,500 square feet, but that doesn’t mean you have to go with the average—some families need more space, some need less and for many, it really depends on how the space is used.
When you’re considering a new home, think about your current one. What do you love, and what doesn’t work for your family’s needs? That should help you determine where you want the most space. For example, a huge kitchen is unnecessary if no one cooks or eats together, while another family might feel large bedrooms aren’t needed so much as a bigger living room, so they can gather and spend time together. Decide where your priorities are, and let those needs guide your search for square footage where it counts.
Bedroom-to-living space ratio
One rule of thumb is that for every bedroom, you’ll need places for two people to sit in the living room and dining room. If you have a multigenerational home, where grandparents, parents and children all live together, you should look for a home where each generation has a place to “get away” from the rest of the clan. That might be a finished basement with a media room setup, an extra bedroom used as an office or an in-law suite. Obviously, the more people living in your home, the more space you’ll need—but remember to look beyond just the number of bedrooms.
How the space is used
How your square footage is used is the biggest factor in comfort and satisfaction. Some people estimate that each person in the family needs 200 to 400 square feet—but that could put a family of four in a 1,600 square foot home. If you’re working from home and your kids are going to school remotely, a 1,600 square foot home is probably not going to suffice.
Rather than getting caught up in specific numbers, think about functionality. Do you have children or plan to have them? Will you be willing to let them live at home during or after college? Do you need separate space for a home office? Do you want a master bedroom that’s approximately the same size as your kitchen (which is standard), or would you prefer trading smaller bedrooms for more space elsewhere? There’s no right or wrong answer.
Ultimately, the best way to get a sense of square footage in Williamsburg, VA and how much you need person is to start touring homes. Call Healthy Communities today to learn more about our custom homes and floor plans.