How much better is life in a bigger home?

[Silverdrainpipe]

We are considering moving. We currently rent a one bedroom apartment. It’s not very big. Maybe 500 sq ft. No outdoor space.

We have seen a two bedroom maisonette that’s just within budget. It’s just shy of 1000 sq ft. It has a tiny terrace but enough space to eat dinner in the sun.

The extra cost is a lot. It’s at the top end of our budget. We’ve recently had a salary increase and this would eat all of the increase.

So how much does a bigger house improve your quality of life? We are a professional couple, who often need to work in the evenings or one day a week at home. No kids.

Not worth it, save the money for when you buy. I’ve lived in very small spaces (even with children) and it’s nice to have less cleaning and less reason to buy things that we don’t need. And bonus if I ever lost something it was easier to find.
maybe age dependent if you’re in your 20s stick with the smaller flat and save money, if you’re in your mid thirties and up and have been in your career for awhile then maybe it’s worth it.

I dream of more space at home! I rent my place (3 bed semi) and I'm very grateful to live here. However, it is very small: my bedroom is a normal size, the kids' rooms are like box rooms. There's one bathroom, a small kitchen and a small living room downstairs. That is it. An extra reception room would be fab.

If I won the lottery, I'd buy a 4 or 5 bedroom place, with larger bedrooms for the kids, an extra WC/bathroom, a dining room, a snug/study and a utility room. Oh and make sure the place has space for a large sized catio to be installed :)

I live in my own and have recently moved to a four bed from a three bed. The extra space is amazing. I have a large home office, and dressing room and a large guest bedroom.

i am messy so having lots of storage has really helped with that. And my utility room is worth every penny.

I have less disposable income than I did - but I enjoy spending time at home more

the biggest difference though has been having a nice, mature garden. My last house really just had a strip of grass - I now have a tranquil space to sit in the summer evenings.

We moved from a 3 bed semi to a 4 bed detached with our 2 children earlier this year. I love having more space. We are more spread out and not annoying each other as much. I sometimes can't believe how lucky we are to have a big home.

We have a big house after first
living in a small flat. Big or small home , we still end up sat next to each other on the sofa every evening (as despite having another sofa we all just squeeze up together on one). Or all of us congregate in one bedroom on a Saturday morning. We will probably downsize. I miss the extra money

Personally I love being able to sit outside and eat outside whenever I want. Also having a separate room for work/activities means you can close the door and relax in the rest of the home. I work from home and not sleeping, eating and working in the same room means I can switch off. Also means I don’t have to move if I want children, pets etc. in the future

More space is fantastic. But so is the security of being able to get by on one salary, more savings (if not to buy where you are, then later when you move country), a good pension or early retirement, etc. I've tended to minimize costs when renting and maximize when buying (though appreciate you aren't in a good area to buy at the moment).

However, if top of your budget still leaves you with a fair bit to save and with enough security to suit you then more space is a really good way to improve your day to day life.

I wouldn't as you are going to move in a couple years and are not buying. The extra money you save adds up

Two beds is ok. 👍

I would say going from 1 to 2 bedrooms with outside space is a very good idea. I'm not big on going for the biggest possible house but it sounds like you need the room and it'll be beneficial. If you were going from a 1 bed flat to a 6 bed house, I'd say differently!!

Made a huge difference. Having more than one bathroom is a godsend! I also love my outdoor space, makes a big difference having somewhere to sit on a summer evening.

Bloody awful, if you ask me. I hated the amount of cleaning that needed to be done in our old house and every nook and cranny was filled with crap as we had space to squeeze a little more stuff in. Now we are in a smaller house and I love it.

pre kids don't move
save your money and invest! Or if you own pay off more of your mortgage
if you had kids I'd be saying different once they get a bit older as when we moved to gain a bedroom it was life changing for us and worth it despite the money
with couples and even babies before they walking id say live in the smaller place and save

I think space buys you so much freedom and happiness. More storage means less clutter, more rooms means you can have your own space.

Can only talk from the point of view of having kids, but when we went from a two bed flat to a four bed house I just remember thinking repeatedly 'Oh my God, we're all at home and in a totally different place to my kids!' and feeling really happy (much as I love my kids). Before the lounge and dining room was one space and we had no spare room, but this was much better.

However, for two people I'm not sure how much difference extra space might make, although if one of you WFH some days each work, I expect a second bedroom could be a real bonus as either allowing a separate work space.

I guess it depends on a number of things! When we sold our first (3 double beds not the greatest area) we moved into a rented 1 bed house which was tiny and I loved it! Less cleaning, easier upkeep! Then we bought our new house which is four bed two reception with a kitchen extension! At first it was fine for just two people and our cat! Now we have two kids, three cats and two dogs! All I do is tidy and clean and it never ends

It's relative. If you have lots of stuff, spilling over, and it's impairing your life, it makes a huge difference. Or if you can't house everyone comfortably in the bedrooms. Or can't have guests if you want to have guests.

Otherwise I feel its just extra cleaning and housework.

There's definitely an optimum size somewhere.

Go for it. More space and an outside place. Absolutely better than not.

hope you can get it 🌺

But for me, 2 people in a detached 5 bed house would be perfect. Space for exercise bikes, hobbies, storage (not a hoarder but winter duvets have to go somewhere). Space for all the books-perfect. Oh and guests and family.

Hugely better. If you've just had a salary increase, put it into your home. Because if you've just been given extra salary, you'll always find ways to spend it on other stuff.

HOWEVER - You don't mention rent or mortgage.

If you're renting, put every last extra penny of a salary increase towards a deposit and live as modestly as possible.

If you're living somewhere where you don't think you can afford to buy - work towards buying somewhere to rent out in a cheaper part of the UK.

I wouldn’t bother and spend the extra money on days out and holidays!

Save the extra and buy! Or buy a motorhome and go travelling.

I agree with the comments re: spend the minimum you can on renting, however it does depend on the impact living in a small space is having on you and your partner. If having a lack of space is impacting your mood, your quality of life and leading to arguments etc then spend more. You need to be happy in your home. I recently moved from a small house about the size of your apartment to a house the size of the place you’re looking at. 2working adults, no kids. It has improved our quality of life- we have storage now and don’t have to have stuff stacked up everywhere. We also have space for relatives to come and stay which we couldn’t do before.

I’d say it’s not worth moving unless you can see real benefits: eating outside, better kitchen/bathroom, allocated parking, more storage, better location/views/travel links.

It made a massive difference to us. Husband, me and, for half the week, his two children lived in a two up two down for four years. We moved to a four bed with lots of outdoor space and we are all so much happier. But, as pps have said, you might be better saving the extra for a deposit if buying is an option in the future.