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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Does size matter?

I have discovered recently that size matters to a certain extent but as long as you use what you have well and you cover what is required, bigger doesn't necessarily mean better.

Now before I go too far down this track I suppose I better explain that I am talking about house size! There is a general Australian trend for houses to get bigger and bigger hence the term McMansion. I have to say personally though that having inspected so many houses I have found the the medium size houses, with good storage and design are so much more appealing then the large ones.

Our house before we started the reno / extension was a two bedroom, one bathroom home with a toilet through a small laundry. We also lacked storage. This started to feel too small with two kids and regular interstate visitors (that would sleep in our lounge). Now by adding extra living space, two more bedrooms and extra bathroom and loads more storage the house feels huge but I know we will use every bit of space well.


A house much bigger to me means more cleaning, and also ones I have visited seem to often lack that homely feel I love. Instead one of my favourites is a friends double fronted cottage that isn't a big house by any means but is well designed and gives my friends and their three kids plus two dogs plenty of space to live. The house has such a warmth about it and you immediately feel comfortable.

What do you think? Do you love a well designed classic cottage or do you prefer a more modern larger house?

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9 comments:

  1. B is building a houseAugust 16, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I too prefer smaller houses. However, in our relationship there is two of us, we both wanted different things so had to compromise. He helps out with the cleaning etc so I'm happy with that :)

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  2. The MoerksAugust 16, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Big can be so cold. I like a bit of space but also the warmth of a medium size home. Mind you we are a family who love to squeeze 5 of us onto a 21/2 seater couch to watch Better homes and gardens.

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  3. A Room For EveryoneAugust 16, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Cottage, definitely. My house isn't enormous but it's big enough that I struggle to maintain it. Yours sounds about perfect. Rachaelx Oh, and I loved reading about your visit to The Block!

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  4. UnknownAugust 16, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    I totally agree, you don't need a huge house to be comfortable, a well thought out house with great storage is much better than a mansion with a lot of wasted space. xx

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  5. Lounging with a LatteAugust 16, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    We live in a fairly humble medium sized home with a large family room which goes out to an undercover pergola area. We have found it sufficient for us and often get comments about how homely and comfortable it is. We have the bigger back yard too which is getting harder to come by these days.

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  6. littlekarstarAugust 19, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Agree,size doesn't matter as much as the warmth and feel of a home. Our cottage is old and small and we want to renovate (just need a lotto win!) but we won't eat into our garden as we spend so much time there and it feeds us too! I don't like the coldness and emptiness of McMansions but then again some are minimalist and gorgeous. For me to admire but perhaps not live in!

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  7. kpAugust 20, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    I love a well designed home, it doesn't matter what size. It's the warmth that makes a home. kp

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  8. lisa maeAugust 23, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    i'd have to say a well designed cottage, we have built the big house, but i think older houses just have way more character.....big smooch lisa xx

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  9. JoBloggsSeptember 5, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Great blog Georgy, very inspirational :) Just bought a weatherboard house yesterday and looking for renovation ideas.

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