Choosing the right family home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Not only is it a huge financial decision, but it’s also the place that shapes your family’s everyday life.
Here’s how to narrow your options, spot what really matters, and pick a family home that’s right for you and your loved ones.
How many bedrooms does your family home need?
The right sized family home depends on your plans for the next few years. If you want to grow your family, choose a home with ample space. If your family feels complete, pick a home that fits your household as it is now.
Here’s when each size makes sense:
- A 3 bedroom house suits two adults and two children, with a room each. This type of home could also stretch to 3 children while 2 are young enough to share.
- A 4 bedroom house fits two adults and three children, each with their own room. This house size also works for a family of 4 that needs a dedicated guest room or home office.
- A 5 bedroom house fits two adults and four children, each with their own room. If you’re a family of five with a grandparent living in, or need a guest room and a home office, a 5 bed house works well.
If you’re torn between sizes and you have the budget for it, we recommend sizing up. An extra bedroom usually costs less than having to uproot your life and move to a bigger home in a few years!
Did you know? Genesis Homes offers Part Exchange on select homes. We buy your current property, so you don’t need to find a buyer, wait on a chain, or pay estate agent fees. And you can plan the move around your family, rather than the market.
What is the ideal number of bathrooms in a family home?
The number of bathrooms you need depends on how big your family is, how much you want to spend, and where a private bathroom sits on your priority list.
Let’s look at these areas in more detail:
- The size of your family. A family of 3 can likely cope with one bathroom, but a family of six? You might need more than one to avoid a queue every morning.
- Your budget. Weigh up which bathrooms your family can’t do without and which are just “nice to have”. If your budget is tight, one family bathroom may be enough. If you have more to spend, or a larger family, look for a second bathroom or an en-suite.
- How much you value a bathroom of your own (away from the children!). An extra bathroom or en-suite gives you a calm corner of the house that’s just yours, free of bath toys and school-day chaos.
Recommended reading: Bathroom design inspiration for your home.
What to look for in a family kitchen and dining area
A family-friendly kitchen copes with everyone using it at once. There should be enough worktop space for two people to cook side by side, and space for children to move around. Plus, look for wipe-clean surfaces that survive spilt juice and felt-tip pens.
Recommended reading: How to create the perfect kitchen design for your home.
When it comes to dining, an open-plan layout works well for family life. You can cook while helping with homework, keep toddlers in sight without dashing between rooms, and chat to guests while preparing meals.
The Ellen, our 4 bed detached house, shows how this works in practice. The kitchen and dining area flows as one open space, with a breakfast bar for quick weekday meals and integrated appliances that keep worktops clear.
Choosing the right garden for your family home
The ideal garden depends on how your family wants to use it and how much time you want to spend looking after it. Whatever your preferences, it needs to be safe and fully enclosed for little ones and pets.
In practice, that means:
- Solid fencing with no gaps underneath
- A gate that latches above a small child’s reach
- No ponds or sudden drops
From there, choose the type of garden that suits your family:
- A large, grassy lawn gives children room for football, a trampoline, and a swing set. However, it needs mowing weekly in summer.
- Artificial grass cuts maintenance to the odd sweep, and stays usable after rain, with no muddy knees. Expect a higher upfront cost, and remember it heats up in direct sun.
- A patio-led garden with raised beds or borders suits busy families who’d rather spend weekends out than gardening. And it’s a ready-made spot for outdoor meals.
5 questions to ask yourself before buying a family home
1. What are the local schools like?
Find out what schools are in the area before you fall for a house. The right home in the wrong catchment can mean your children miss out on the education you want. Read recent Ofsted reports and confirm catchments with the local council, as boundaries can change from year to year.
2. Are there local amenities nearby?
Make sure the everyday essentials are within easy reach. Things like a GP surgery, nursery, shops, post office, and parks are all useful to have nearby with a growing family.
3. What are the home running costs?
Check the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you compare prices, because the cheapest house to buy isn’t always the cheapest to live in.
Bigger homes cost more to heat, so energy efficiency matters more as the bedroom count rises. Factor in the council tax band too, as this can influence your monthly outgoings.
Recommended reading: 4 simple ways to reduce home running costs.
Side note: Most new builds achieve a good energy efficiency rating (B and above), while older family houses tend to sit at D or lower. At Genesis Homes, our new builds have a 10-year structural warranty to protect you from major repair bills.
4. Do you need a home-working setup?
If anyone in your household works from home, yes. A room with a door means you can take calls without interruptions and shut work away at the end of the day. It also means your guest room stays a guest room.
Good to know: The Whillan, our 5 bedroom new build includes a study on top of its five bedrooms, so working from home never eats into sleeping space.
5. How much storage do you need?
You usually need more storage than you think, because families gather belongings fast. Use what you own now as your baseline, then leave room for the next few years.
Go person by person. Start with clothes and shoes, toys and school bags, and hobby kit like bikes, sports gear, and musical instruments. Then add shared items, from buggies and hoovers to Christmas decorations and cooking equipment.
At viewings, match that list to the storage on offer. Look for built-in wardrobes, understairs storage, and a linen cupboard for towels and bedding.
Top tip: A house with a utility room takes the washing machine, tumble dryer, and laundry pile out of the kitchen to give you more space!
Find your next family home with Genesis Homes
All Genesis family houses have modern, practical layouts, so you get the space your family needs without compromising on the features covered above.
Our range includes 3 bedroom new builds, 4 bedroom detached houses, and 5 bedroom homes with room for everyone to grow. And because every home is brand new, you move in without a list of repairs or renovations to tackle first.
Browse our new build homes in Cumbria & Lancashire.