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Original poster

Is my house is small?

40 replies

TheUnknownGirl · 30/03/2019 22:01

I had a friend visit for the first time earlier. We've just bought our first home. We are a couple, a 4 year old and soon to be another.

She expressed surprise that we bought this house when we have another child on the way as she thinks it's too small for a family of four. We didn't even think about that, it felt like it had enough room (and most importantly, was what we could afford!) but am wondering now!

What do you think? Asking mostly out of curiosity! Here's the dimensions.

LOUNGE:
4.14m x 3.48m (13' 7" x 11' 5")
Door leading into
DINING ROOM:
3.25m x 3.05m (10' 8" x 10' 0")
PVC French doors to back garden. Garden is quite small - half in shade due to house.

KITCHEN:
3.35m x 3.2m (11' 0" x 10' 6")

First Floor
BEDROOM (1):
4.19m x 3.96m (13' 9" x 13' 0")
BEDROOM (2):
4.17m x 3.1m (13' 8" x 10' 2")
BEDROOM (3):
3.05m x 2.44m (10' 0" x 8' 0")

OP posts:
Bookworm4 · 30/03/2019 22:04

Sounds average, plenty new builds are a lot smaller, your friend is rude, I assume she lives in a castle.

Mrscog · 30/03/2019 22:04

Not dissimilar to ours - I think it’s fone, but will feel small if you stay long term. I am hoping to move once they’re teens. People have different standards/needs though. Ignore your friend.

Stroller15 · 30/03/2019 22:05

It sounds like a new build OP? Sounds absolutely fine to me. I think your friend was a bit rude actually. It's your house, so as long as you're happy that's all that counts.

propertynovice9 · 30/03/2019 22:06

Sounds more than big enough to me! Grin

Original poster
TheUnknownGirl · 30/03/2019 22:06

It's an ex council house (also non standard construction so might be tricky to sell on in future, however currently these houses sell quickly here due to the location)

OP posts:
MrsBartlettforthewin · 30/03/2019 22:06

Wow how rude is your friend!? We're a family of 5 and our house isn't much bigger than that - two of the kids share a room as it is a three bed.
Why would you buy somewhere you couldn't afford?

DramaAlpaca · 30/03/2019 22:08

It's on the small side yes, but it has three bedrooms so it's fine for a family with two small children. My first home was very small, a tiny 2 bed terrace.

Your friend, by the way, was very rude.

Cottagelife1 · 30/03/2019 22:08

Tell your friend I (will soon be) living in a single floor cottage that is in total 7m x 5m with dh a 3yr old and a 5yr old!! 😂😂that’ll shut her up!

Original poster
TheUnknownGirl · 30/03/2019 22:10

She was rude but she clearly wasn't meaning to be and isn't generally a rude person. I was a bit Hmm. We never thought we'd be able to buy anywhere so were happy!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheUnknownGirl · 30/03/2019 22:10

Cottagelife1, I want to see pics of your house, sounds amazing!

OP posts:
ChangingStates · 30/03/2019 22:11

Slightly bigger than one I have just bought for me & my 2 kids - your third bedroom is a decent size, most of those I looked at third bedroom was 8x7 or smaller. Your friend is rude and tactless. Enjoy your new home!

SwoopTheJackpot · 30/03/2019 22:23

It's your lovely new home. It's perfect for your family so don't let a tactless friend's comments ruin it. Our home is smaller than yours and we have more than 2 DC. It's the people in your family make a home, not the size of the house.

Cottagelife1 · 30/03/2019 22:25

@TheUnknownGirl it’s currently being renovated (as in roof,doors, windows and a painted outside and renovated inside) we plan to move in June. We bought it fairly derelict and we plan on building on obvs. But it’ll be a while yet before that happens.its on an acre of land so plenty of space for the DC.

Is my house is small?
dirtystinkyrats · 30/03/2019 22:33

The room sizes are big for a 3 bed and all nice and square. What is your friend's house like?

Original poster
TheUnknownGirl · 30/03/2019 23:22

Looks like it'll be idyllic, Cottagelife1!

Her house is much bigger, but rented.

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 30/03/2019 23:49

That sounds like a perfectly average three bedroom house. I can't see any issue with those room sizes?

When we're done renovating ours will be similar, although our third bedroom will only be 6 X 9 feet. Some people will say that's too small for a bedroom but there are plenty of 1930s houses near us with smaller 6 X 7 foot box rooms.

I had a small bedroom as a kid as the room was divided it two with a stud wall. Having privacy was more valuable to me than sharing a big room. I'd rather have had a small room and a hobby than having my mum cripple herself financially for the big house but not being able to afford a hobby.

Haworthia · 30/03/2019 23:59

FWIW OP, your three bed is bigger than my three bed. My son’s box room is less than two metres wide.

It’s what we could afford at the time and our mortgage is small. A big house isn’t everything.

PickAChew · 31/03/2019 00:03

Downstairs sounds average, while upstairs is better than average for a 3 bed. Good sized master and no tiny box room.

mando12345 · 31/03/2019 08:51

That sounds perfectly fine, that's a good sized third bedroom too.
You could put a computer on a desk in the corner of the dining room, the dining room table will also be a good quiet place for homework.
We lived in a similar size house for years, you have to be on up of stuff, and on picking up and putting away stuff to keep it feeling spacious. Make sure you buy sofas such are comfy but not too deep to make the living room feel roomy, our dining table was extendable so small everyday but could be big enough for entertaining.
Enjoy your new home.

DustyDoorframes · 31/03/2019 09:52

Well my house is very similar and I'm expecting DC3! When we moved in my friends said things like "what a find! It's so big!". Because they are not rude and it is London.
Your friend probably feels she can't afford to buy as she NEEDS a bigger house. Hopefully you enjoying your happy home will help her realise she is making a choice, and could live somewhere smaller if she liked.

AnemoneAnenome · 31/03/2019 11:09

How incredibly rude. Your house is bigger than some and smaller than others, just like everyone else's!

Everyone has their own priorities. You might as well say to your friend "ugh, why do you rent? Buying is so much better." Only you won't be side you are more polite than that.

AnemoneAnenome · 31/03/2019 11:09

*because, not be side

Ohyesiam · 31/03/2019 11:12

How rude.
I live in something similar with dh and 2 teens. And so do millions of other families.

Dothehappydance · 31/03/2019 11:42

You need to get her a copy of 'A squash and a squeeze'.

I am guessing it is a standard 3 bed semi/terrace, we had 5 of us in one growing up. You fit your space however big or small that is.

mum2015 · 31/03/2019 11:49

OP,
Congratulations for new home! Not sure where you live but your house is average size house in London and suburbs. There are so many people here who will feel so happy to get a house like yours.

Your friend is in rented accommodation and hasn't had reality check of buying and affordability or may be she has more money or lives in an area where one can get bigger house for same money. Ignore her comment and don't let it come between friendship.