Family home wish list

[TheGirlWithGlassFeet]

We've just started looking for 'the family home' after accepting an offer on our small and impractical (but lovely) cottage. So far we have one DS who is 9 months but would love another soon.

We are looking for somewhere bigger with a nice garden and an extra reception/dining room but I'm curious to hear from those with older DC to find out what works well in your home or what you wish you had.

[Batteriesallgone]

Downstairs loo!! Wouldn't be without one now I have one

[Adsss]

Hallway space/storage - my god the kids carry so much stuff round with them this days and the multiple pairs of shoes/coats/bags!

[Chiliprepper]

Garden that's visible from the kitchen/living area so you can on with things while their outside (obviously a little older than 9months...)

[misson]

Yy the shoes. Plus they smell.

Downstairs loo.

Garden

Increasingly I want another shower. The bathroom queue is getting long.

Friends with teenagers say a second living room or just somewhere they can hangout.

[LizzieMacQueen]

2 bathrooms. With very good ventilation and a large capacity water tank for the endless showers.

Older children, IME, don't play in gardens so much. Having an outside eating place is nice though.

[Inthepalemoonlight]

More than one shower to prevent morning panic.
A garden for the primary school years.
Other things are nice but not essential.

[GplanAddict]

An upstairs utility! (Or a cupboard that can be turned into one). It's my favourite room!!

[Leatherboundanddown]

Utility. Dishwasher. Downstairs loo

[BackforGood]

Downstairs toilet
Garden you can watch from the kitchen

As they get a bit older -
separate shower room as well as family bathroom
separate rooms so they can do their own things without disturbing others (don't get drawn into Kirsty and Phil's "open plan" malarkey
Shed or garage (or space for a large shed) for all the bikes, canoes, climbing ropes, tents, hiking boots, and other paraphanalia

If you can afford it - detatched, or maybe link detached, or a semi where the living space isn't the bit that is joined to your neighbour

[namechangedtoday15]

Utility room. Just would not consider house without one now.

Separate bedroom for each child (or potential to extend).

At least 2 separate rooms downstairs (big kitchen diner with separate lounge).

Downstairs loo + family bath + en suite

Garage or shed

Not a loft conversion (need loft for storage)

Garden

Off road parking

Lovely neighbours

[Bluecarrot]

Being able to see the garden from kitchen and a seating area within the house.
Back garden must have sun most of day and evening.
Kitchen/diner ( also with sofa area would be really great, but not as essential as a table i think)
2 people should be able to move around kitchen at same time without constantly bumping into eachother.
A second reception room for playroom and eventually a teen hangout.
A small room, or space within a guest room, for a study.
More than one shower and loo.
Walking distance to shop, bus route/train station and school would be nice.
Also a play park and nice areas to go for a walk nearby.

[Imperialleather2]

Definitely a kitchen you cam eat in and easy access to the garden.

[SolomanDaisy]

Utility room
Downstairs toilet
Garden
Safe places to play outside
Easy access to buses
Walking distance to buying an ice cream

I like open plan downstairs, but might change my mind when it gets to the teen years. The open plan area needs space for a kids' corner with toys, craft table etc.

[BikeRunSki]

Seperate playroom

[Elfontheedge]

A hallway. I'm sick of traipsing muddy/wet shoes pushchair etc through the house because the front door opens onto the front room.
Decent outdoor space.
Utility room. Oh how I used to laugh at my mum's obsession with getting a utility room. Now I have 2 children and no space for a dryer I understand!
2 reception rooms.

[Bin85]

Lots of storage so everything can have a place would be my dream.
Bedrooms with built in wardrobes.
Masses of kitchen cupboards and drawers.
Proper,big dedicated study.
Garage with shelving
South facing garden
Proximity to excellent schools probably would be 1st on my list.

[user1471549018]

Hallway with storage, 2 bathrooms/power showers, large kitchen, 3 receptions, large garden, utility room, study/fourth bedroom, no 'box rooms' for bedrooms, detatched.

I didn't have all these things when I bought our current house but I could see the potential to create them, and have just about finished now (4 years later!)

I would also LOVE a character property but currently we can't afford all these things in a character house so that has to be my compromise :(

[NetballHoop]

Walking distance to primary & secondary schools.
Ability to get FAST internet - there are plenty of properties that can't and your teenagers will hate you.
Separate living room to escape into.
Room for each child plus one more, and they need to be able to have a desk in them.
STORAGE.
Mega-Flo style hot water tank.
Garden big enough to play football/badminton etc.

[RatherBeIndoors]

Just extended rather than move to achieve this:

Utility room (sweet jesus how does 1 child get through so much uniform??)
Second WC
Enough space in the kitchen for a) table, and b) child to play/craft/do homework while I'm getting stuff done, without tripping over each other

We have gone fairly open-plan with living space, but a bedroom each with enough space for desk and storage, plus spare room/study that might get re-designated as teen hangout as the child gets older. but they'll have to fight me for it

[TheGirlWithGlassFeet]

Thank you for all your replies. They're all really helpful. They are in the main pointing me towards a house we saw last week which DH really likes but I'm not keen on as although it ticks all the boxes it has no soul. Unfortunately the houses I like with character are about £100k over budget. Perhaps lack of soul is the compromise I need to make.

[222CherryCoke]

You'll give it its soul :)

[TheGirlWithGlassFeet]

[Hufflepuffin]

We are in a similar position and going for the sensible house, with only a little soul. I am focusing on the life it will give us as a family. At our budget, we could have a very cramped cottage or this so this is better for us at the moment!

[namechangedtoday15]

I agree. A house is just a house, its the family inside and how it enables your family life that makes it a home .

[twocultures]

Extra storage/coat room./hallway (so you don't walk straight into the kitchen)
Bath.
Extra bedroom.
Utility room - oh how I dream of a utility room!