Creating a Home That Grows with Your Family

This is a collaborative post

If you want a happy and prosperous life with your family, then you’ll need the right family home. If you’re comfortable moving from place to place throughout the time you spend together, then you might pick out a succession of homes. For most families, however, it’s worth picking out a home that will last. That means considering your current needs, as well as those you might have in the future.

Let’s look at some of the features a good family home will almost always be able to offer.

Flexible living spaces

As your family grows, the way that you spend your leisure time will change. This is particularly important if you have a smaller home with a limited number of rooms in it. You’ll want to think about the bedroom spaces, which will need to be large enough to accommodate growing children. If you have spare rooms, or an underutilised corner of your lounge or kitchen, then you might use them to host playrooms, offices, libraries and gyms, as the years go by.

Future proofing with new build homes

When you invest in property, you’re also assuming the burden of all of the ongoing maintenance that goes with it. If you choose a new-build home, you’re avoiding much of this. You’ll enjoy a warranty that will cover defects that emerge within the first few years. You’ll also benefit from more modern building materials and techniques. New-build homes also tend to perform far better when it comes to energy efficiency.

The layout and decor also tend to be adaptable enough to suit the needs of your family as it is now, and as it might be in the future. For example, you might walk into a fairly neutral-looking living room, and add a splash of your own personality with the help of a few wall-hung decorative items. The advantage of this approach is that you’ll be able to adapt the space to suit the changing tastes and moods of your family, without going to the trouble of major redecorating.

Storage solutions for every stage

If you aren’t able to call upon the right storage solutions, clutter is virtually inevitable. The best storage will take maximum advantage of the available space, and make use of awkward spaces that would otherwise not be occupied at all. This tends to mean looking for a bespoke solution. A made-to-measure wardrobe might be able to contain more clothing than an ordinary one.

It’s also worth looking at how you can make the best possible use of loft and garage spaces. Invest in shelves and rugged storage boxes, as well as a reliable label-maker. These things can be reliable aids when you need to declutter.

Outdoor and community spaces

Your family will need a place to spend leisure time outside the home. This is where the availability of outdoor play areas, and access to other local amenities, can make a world of difference. You’ll also want to consider the quality of the local schools, and the ease with which they can be accessed.

Ideally, you’ll have enough ways to spend time that you never feel stuck for something to do during a spare afternoon, and that you never feel pressured into spending beyond your means in order to keep the kids occupied.