How to figure out how much house you need

Bigger is always better, or so some would seem to believe. Between 1986 and 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average square footage of the new construction home grew by 33 percent, from about 1,800 square feet to 2,400 square feet. It seemed as though everyone was lusting for the good life — and no one was interested in setting limits on it.

But the decision about how much house to buy is overwhelmingly personal, specific to you, your needs and your inclinations. You have to examine or take into account your family’s material, psychological, and even their emotional needs and tendencies. As an example, a 9-foot ceiling might be comfortable for one person but practically claustrophobia-inducing for another.

You’ll find experts who claim that determining the right house size is a simple calculation, that it all comes down to imagining the ideal size for every room, calculating the square footage and then just totting up the figures. But it’s not always as simple as that. It may be that a room with smaller dimensions will suit your family as long as natural light is abundant. Darker or basement-level rooms might need larger dimensions to keep family members and guests from feeling shut in.

Assessing your current and future needs and envisioning the interior spaces to accommodate them is a process that is not to be rushed, according to industry experts. Ideally, you will

be able to complete this type of evaluation before you ever venture into a model home. Here are a few considerations.

Assess future needs: Determine how long you actually want to live in the house. For some, five years seems like a good plan, while for others 10 to 20 years might be most likely. Of course, if you have children, your spatial needs will shift as they grow into their teen years and then into adulthood. It may be that you’ll want to accommodate your parents as they get older and need more care. You might consider moving your parents into the abandoned rooms of adult children. Alternatively, you might want to leave open the option of converting a first-floor space, such as a den, to living space for elders. If, for example, you or your spouse anticipate turning a hobby into a business, finding room for a future home office might be in order.

Allow for private space: Desirable as it is to promote family togetherness, it’s realistic to assume that at least some family members will want time and space for themselves, experts advise. If kids need to share a bedroom, for example, be sure the square footage will allow for some privacy, especially during the teen years. Even Fido might want his own corner of an indoor space. If you are a night owl, and your spouse is an early-to-bed sort, plan accordingly.

Lend an eye toward storage: If your spouse or teen is a clothes hound, for example, you might actually need an extra closet — or even an extra room — to accommodate their trove. Are your kids involved in sports or music? They’ll need room to store their equipment and/or instruments. Even the family seamstress or artist needs an area to keep supplies.

Of course, you must also take into account any favorite pieces of furniture, artwork or display objects that need to be accommodated, designers counsel.

Figuring out how much house to buy is no small feat. Experts say it requires a careful and thorough examination of current and projected spatial and material needs. Understanding how a house will feel — which can mean fleshing out the material and emotional needs of each and every family member — is also critical. Taking the time and making the effort to develop a thorough assessment can mean the difference between comfort and unease for you and yours.