How many square feet would be ideal for family of 4?

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Globe199

Not to be pedantic, but I mentioned that my house is 2400 sq ft, not 1100.

You also said it was too big...sure, for 2 people if may feel big now, wait until you have kids, if you have more than one, and how much space their stuff takes up. I still stay it is layout more than sq footage. Our 2200 sq foot house felt big because of the layout, and our kids were toddlers. As teen's, that house would not have worked well with the lifestyle we have, lots of friends over all the time, etc.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by golfgal

You also said it was too big...sure, for 2 people if may feel big now, wait until you have kids, if you have more than one, and how much space their stuff takes up. I still stay it is layout more than sq footage. Our 2200 sq foot house felt big because of the layout, and our kids were toddlers. As teen's, that house would not have worked well with the lifestyle we have, lots of friends over all the time, etc.

While this may be true in your case, it still ultimately comes down to personal preference and personal needs (although I do agree that it's layout that makes the biggest difference, not actual square footage). You can do quite a bit and entertain quite a lot in 1100 square feet, especially if the layout is good. Of course that depends on lots of other factors, but when it comes right down to it, what works for one person doesn't work for another. In any case, the earlier poster may change his/her mind about space needs if they have more kids (or older kids) or they may not. Maybe they'll want more space, maybe their space will be perfect, or perhaps they'll even want LESS space. It's a very personal decision.

I'm probably unusual and different from most people on this thread in that I've actually started to have my desire for space go down, not up. I don't want a family room AND a living room, for example -- seems like wasted space. Same thing with a guest bedroom. I prefer a compact kitchen -- no islands for me. I'm not extreme -- I never plan to be one of those people raising several kids in 500 square feet or something -- but I've definitely grown to appreciate and to prefer the cozy and small.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

While this may be true in your case, it still ultimately comes down to personal preference and personal needs (although I do agree that it's layout that makes the biggest difference, not actual square footage). You can do quite a bit and entertain quite a lot in 1100 square feet, especially if the layout is good. Of course that depends on lots of other factors, but when it comes right down to it, what works for one person doesn't work for another. In any case, the earlier poster may change his/her mind about space needs if they have more kids (or older kids) or they may not. Maybe they'll want more space, maybe their space will be perfect, or perhaps they'll even want LESS space. It's a very personal decision.

I'm probably unusual and different from most people on this thread in that I've actually started to have my desire for space go down, not up. I don't want a family room AND a living room, for example -- seems like wasted space. Same thing with a guest bedroom. I prefer a compact kitchen -- no islands for me. I'm not extreme -- I never plan to be one of those people raising several kids in 500 square feet or something -- but I've definitely grown to appreciate and to prefer the cozy and small.

Which is all easy with one child--try 3 kids, and 5 or 6 friends over and tell me how much a family room and a living room is wasted space

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Which is all easy with one child--try 3 kids, and 5 or 6 friends over and tell me how much a family room and a living room is wasted space

you're still projecting your own needs/wishes, which are different than mine. Maybe it's just that I've never lived in a home with a family room, or in a home of anywhere near 2200 square feet (and there were three kids in my family) and am used to living in a much smaller space than you do, but it still simply feels, to me, like duplication of space. The kids are all going to be in the same room anyway, right? Again, to each his own. And that's what this is all about: there is no one "right" answer. Some people need more space than other people to feel comfortable. What feels cozy to one person feels cramped and claustrophobic to another. Tastes and preferences are different.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

In our situation, I need two home offices. So out of the gate, I need a three bedroom home. I suppose I could office on the kitchen table with a lap top. Add in child one and two and we "needed" a 5 bedroom home. Now that we are empty nesters, I only "need" a 3 bedroom home. In the future I didn't want to send my visiting son or daughter to a hotel. Hence, I "need" a guest bedroom.

As far as expenses. I write off a portion of my office space (a.k.a. two bedrooms), a portion of TP, coffee, heat, electric, property taxes, etc. So for me at least, those extra expenses are part of doing business.

My wife likes a formal dining room. I think that is a massive waste of space. I could also cut out the bar that is used a couple times a year and even another bathroom. Excluding the need for an office, kids "stuff" takes up room. Snowboards, hockey equipment, games, bikes, etc all need room to store. 2500 sq foot and 2 kids would be the minimum I would even consider even with a 3 car garage.

[asitshouldbe]

At least 2400 sq. ft.

[Bike_Dweller]

was reading some of the tiny house forums and ran across someone saying 400sq ft per person. Was anecdotal but stemmed from a minimalist forum.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I bet it'd be possible for 4 people to live in the 270 sq ft home display that is set up in IKEA.

[rzzz]

When I grew up there were 6 people living in about 1700 sq feet. It was fine when we were kids.
These days you want as big as possible since your kids will be living with you until their 40s.