As you begin the search for the best home to buy, the first question you’ll have to answer is “How many rooms do you need?” This will narrow down your list of earmarked properties and make it easier to prepare payments and search for the best mortgage rates.
Simple as it sounds, determining the right number of rooms can be complicated. When you consult real estate and architectural resources, you might get carried away by design trends. Some people swear by the tiny house movement, which squeezes everything in one big room, while others advocate the McModern, sleek boxes with lots of room and lots of light.
Ultimately, the number of rooms in your house depends on your lifestyle and what you want for yourself in the future.
Do You Have a Family?
The number of occupants is the biggest consideration for the number of rooms. Are you a bachelor looking to raise a family? Do you have kids that are not willing to share rooms? Do you have aging grandparents who love to stay for long periods with your spouse and children?
Most homeowners choose as many bedrooms as there are occupants; the married couple shares a room, while the extra serves as a guest room. So if a newlywed plans on having two kids, that’s four rooms — one for the couple, one each for the children, and one for guests. This ensures that everyone enjoys their private space, even if grandma comes to stay.
What’s Your Lifestyle?
The right number of rooms depends on your lifestyle, as well. For instance, if no one really comes to stay, or if you’re not the type of family who always receives guests, then maybe you don’t need a guest room.
If your family loves watching home movies together or playing music, an entertainment room would be a good addition to your list. It’s best with soundproof walls, so some can enjoy the screening without disturbing the entire household.
If you’re working at home, you can designate one room to be a home office, so you can have a quiet, private space for all your meetings and paperwork. There are a lot of other things you can do with an extra room, like an expanded closet, an arts and crafts room, a man cave, or a kid’s playroom.
Some families don’t even require an extra room. If you think you need just enough for rest and sleep, then a guest room won’t be necessary.
Can You Afford It?
The mortgage isn’t the only thing you have to worry about — more rooms also mean larger utility bills. Assess if you can afford the upkeep of a larger home before deciding on getting one. Bear in mind that there will be more interior space to clean, more furniture to buy, and more exterior surfaces to maintain.
Identifying the right number of rooms for your home is crucial. By taking your plans, lifestyle, and budget into account, you can be sure of having a house that will accommodate your needs – now and in the future.
