There is definitely an “optimal” home size for everyone, that is for sure. Bigger is not always better. Bigger is only better if you need space for something specific.
Also, design is key. Poor design can require more sqare footage than good design. You definitely need a master bedroom, but do you really need it that big?
Another consideration is – is the square footage on one floor or two ? Stairs and hallways can burn alot of square footage in a 2-story home.
Our 1700 sq. ft Clairemont home on one floor that we re-designed seems more adequate than many 2400 sq. ft homes we have looked at in Carmel Valley.
Plus, as I once said “I like big lots and I cannot lie.” The problem is, developers these days tend to build on small lots, even for big homes. One would hope that as you get bigger houses, you get bigger lots, but the houses have to get quite extravagant before the builder starts putting them on premium-sized lots.
So, is is very hard to find a small home in a really nice neighborhood on a large lot.
So, I may not need all that interior space, but I don’t want to live where the smaller homes are because the neighborhoods aren’t as nice, not as many professionals living there, good schools, etc.
And, of course, cost, utilities and cleaning time are the downsides of more space.
To answer the question – how much do I need ? My 1700 sq. ft Clairemont home is almost enough. Other than some minor layout changes, I would like a game room/poker room where one group can play loudly while others are in bed sleeping. I would also like a “craft/art/design/project” room connected to the garage/shop where everyone on the family can work on projects with all the tools they need. I think a well-designed 2500 sq. ft. plus a 2-car shop, plus a covered carport for the cars would really do it. On 2 stories, may need 3200+. A half-acre would be nice, too.
Not surprisingly, I grew up in a family of 6 (4 kids) in a 3-br, 2400 sq. ft house on 1.5 acres in Tucson.
