Anonymous wrote:We had a house that was 4,000 sq ft and it was great. I agree with pp(s) that layout is important. We are now in a 6,000 sq ft house that has the same number of rooms as the 4,000 sq ft house and it’s awesome. We looked at some houses this size that had lots of small rooms, and they seemed “too big.” Our current house is airy and spacious, because each room is large, but still feels “cozy” somehow, despite its size.

Completely agree with this. I have 4000 now. It’s the perfect number of rooms, I just wish each was a tiny bit bigger so 5000-6000

3000 sq ft above grade plus a finished walkout basement.

Around 2500

Anonymous wrote:Visiting family can stay in a nearby airbnb, giving all privacy yet proximity.

It is extremely rude to make family spend extra money to see you. You better be paying for the family’s hotel/BnB if you throw them out in the cold like that

Our house is 4300 for 4+dog and feels almost perfect. I would add a mud room, laundry on first floor so a bit larger would be nice, but not much larger.
This doesn’t include our screened in porch so some families might need larger if they prefer a 3 season room to a porch.

Anonymous wrote:Visiting family can stay in a nearby airbnb, giving all privacy yet proximity.

I wouldn't visit a family if I have to stay in Airbnb. If I stay in airbnb, I will not enjoy the stay as much as if I stayed in the same house even if I have to sleep on the couch or make a bed on floor and sleep.

staying in the same house gives you so much uninterrupted time, go to bed late in the night, chance to have coffee together in the morning without changing out of the night clothes etc

we have 2 kids and my parents visits for extended time. also couple of weeks visits by brother/sister. I have 3ooo sq ft house, 1k on each level. At times it feels small and I think its because of the layout. I don't have a walk out basement and the layout is such that I can not make a bedroom there. Full bathroom in the basement helps.

Definitely looking for more space in the Kitchen and living area. More storage on the main level. a sun room and a mud room.

we have 4 bed rooms but it would be more comfortable to have little bigger rooms.

So I think a 4500sq ft house will be appropriate given the builders keep in mind the layout of the houses.

Its so rare to find a 4000-4500 sq ft house with 5 rooms (all good size). Builders are taking 50% of the space to create master suit and make the other rooms too small for a comfortable usage. very few houses have 5 bedrooms (not sure why though - is it difficult to take permits etc or what). when so many families have 3-4 kids, why 5 bedroom is not as common even when the house size is 4000 and up.

Anything above 4,000 sf is a waste of resources and take away homey feel.

Also depends if extended family visits for couple of days or extended periods.

Visiting family can stay in a nearby airbnb, giving all privacy yet proximity.

Anonymous wrote:Let's say you were gifted a primary residence anywhere you choose to raise your family, in this case two parents and two kids. A fair amount of extended family including both sets of parents might like to visit. How big would the house be? Is there a point at which a house is too big for comfort, and if so, where would you draw the line?

I think for a family of 4, 2,000 sq ft built space is plenty. I say that as a person who who lived in homes from 600 to 6000 sq feet. If its a walkable urban area and house has a porch and yard, you can manage well in 1500 sq ft.

For me, it's about storage and layout. For my 2/2/dog family, I want:
- screened porch
- large mud room with closet and cubbies
- big open kitchen/great room with lots of storage, pantry, butler's area, big island
- separate laundry room
- space in master for linen closet, sitting area
- space for gym
- separate tv area for kids

Some of you need to declutter and get rid of crap.

3500-4000 would be a dream. The most important thing for me is a big kitchen with lots of storage and work space. I have a tiny non-functional one currently (and I’m not talking by DCUM standards). Since I already have 2 kids off to college, I don’t need a lot of bedrooms but I would say 4 bedrooms for when everyone is home. Right now we only have 3 so the kids have to share. And I’d love for the home to be bright and sunny.

Anonymous wrote:I'm targeting 3000-3500 total for a family of 4. But layout is important...one just came on the market at 3100 but it wasn't a great use of space at all and still managed to feel cramped, so we passed. We've been in others that are the same size or smaller but it felt a lot more spacious.

I agree with this. I am in 2400 sq ft and it's completely sufficient, and occasionally a little tight. But it's FINE. And we have no plans to move.