Will a bigger house make me feel calmer?

[CubbyRose]

Hello! This is on my mind constantly and I want to put it to rest or put a plan of action in place.

We are a family of 5 (daughters 6 and 4, son 5 months). We have a small semi in the East Midlands, sold as a 3 bed but it’s 2 and a box room. Daughters share the biggest of the bedrooms, baby is still in with us but will move into his own room soon as it stops being a dumping ground. The box room is tiny but works for a cot/chair/drawers and fits a toddler bed, definitely doesn’t fit a single bed (unless built in over stairs bulkhead)

We feel totally cramped in this house now! No matter how much I declutter or organise it feels impossible to make it spacious and calming. Trouble is, I’m attached to the memories and the convenience. The mortgage is small and affordable. The garden is a great size. We have a garage and a driveway. 4 minute walk to school. Shops/town centre a short walk away.

Deep down I know we will need to move in a year or two, but it’s like I need somebody to tell me that? Will a bigger house make me feel calmer, not constantly battling storage, having to turn sideways to get between my bed and the wardrobe, not having to clear craft supplies off the kitchen table to eat dinner?

The thought of likely doubling our mortgage terrifies me! Husband doesn’t seem bothered and says we can afford it.

Thank you for this point of view. No, I am not a high earner and never will be (I work in childcare). I do not have my own savings or pension beyond a tiny old workplace one.

Definitely wouldn't feel calmer during the renno 🤣

We ended up moving to a cheaper area. Totted up all the improvements we wanted to make to the house (loft conversion, back extension so there would be a second reception room and toilet) and realised if we made a big move we could get a house with all those things and also release a big chunk of equity that could be used to pay off some of the mortgage, top up pension pots, and have a holiday. Plus we didn't have to live in a building site for months. Felt scary tbh when everyone I know is maxing out their mortgage capacity and buying huge houses in affluent areas rather than buying something £100k cheaper. As well as leaving everyone/everything we know. Was a big thing. But honestly it's been the best decision. We both sleep better knowing the finances are in a better state and as I mentioned before we're no longer all tripping over ourselves as we were. The bills have gone up with a bigger house, and it won't gain as much over the years as the one we left, but so far zero regrets.

Get a small single for box room when baby outgrows toddler bed! They are ok until 12! Have get storage for living room for youngest toys.

https://warrenevans.com/beds/?maker=T26vaPzzZAva

We just moved from a 2 bed to a large 4 bed with a study. I thought our disorganisation and chaos issues would be solved by the bigger house but we are still living in chaos so I think the issue was us not the house. If you like the garden and it has lots of storage and next to the school i would stay put untill your kids are older and all want their oen rooms. You dont want to saddle yourself with a large mortgage atm, eveything is so expensive and moving with a baby is very stressful.

Disorganised people will have disorganised houses. If you’ve only just moved it takes a while to get houses sorted out.

I’d say most people can manage some degree of order and tidiness.

Bigger houses are more comfortable to live in than smaller ones.

Our bigger home was revolutionary. We all have our own space and there is room to breathe. As the kids have grown it’s allowed them personal space while also having plenty of shared space too.

The only downside for me really is the additional cleaning but it’s worth it for the space.