Rooms That Need To Be Spacious For A Big Family, According To My Lottery Dream Home
The average number of people in a household has been reducing over time, but recent data has shown a reversal in that downward trend for the first time in over 160 years (via Pew Research Center). If you find yourself in a bustling home — whether that means several children, a handful of roommates, or a multi-generational household — there are important considerations to keep in mind as you design your space that can help you maximize flow and comfort in your home.
David Bromstad, host of "My Lottery Dream Home," has made a career finding the perfect homes for families big and small. On a recent episode of the show, he was faced with a major challenge — finding a home for an engaged couple, Marva and Nathan, and their combined crew of seven children. Keep reading to learn what features he prioritized in the hunt for the perfect space and how those areas can work for you if you're living with a big family.
A roomy kitchen
The kitchen may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of family gatherings, but it is one of the most high-traffic areas in the home. According to a study conducted by OnePoll in collaboration with Bosch Home Appliances, the average American spends over an hour in the kitchen each day. Big family dinners, pancake breakfasts, and school science projects all require a wealth of prep space, and having a large kitchen can keep everything running smoothly — which is why Bromstad sought out a big kitchen for the family of nine. In each home, the couple weighed the size of the space and its ability to hold several family members at once. "It's not big as yesterday's [house], but it feels roomy, and it has enough potential for us all to be in the kitchen if we need to be at once," Marva said at the second home.
Kitchens can also serve as a great all-purpose area if kids are sharing rooms. Focusing on homework might be difficult if there are siblings playing in the same bedroom, so a bar or island can act as a quiet study area. Within the busy schedule of school, sports, and extracurriculars, sitting down for dinner at the same time might prove to be difficult, so a seating area in the kitchen is a great spot for a casual meal as well.
A big bathroom
A lot of larger families have a limited number of bedrooms and an even smaller number of bathrooms. Multiple kids sharing one space can become a battle for shower time or access to the sink, but a larger bathroom can give them the opportunity to get ready at the same time. There's also the benefit of added storage space — every square inch or drawer counts, especially if a household includes older children that use makeup or other beauty products. Throughout each home tour, Marva and Nathan took special note of the size and number of bathrooms in each house, eventually going with a four-bedroom with two-and-a-half baths rather than a five-bedroom with one-and-half baths.
The majority of people spend between 11 and 30 minutes on their morning routine (via YouGovAmerica). While one person staying in the bathroom for that long might not throw off anyone's schedule, multiplying that by several kids sharing one space can make getting ready for school on time difficult. A larger blueprint minimizes that issue and is a major benefit if you have a few people sharing one or two bathrooms in one area of the home.
Outdoor space
The last area to look out for isn't even inside the home — it's the backyard. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, playing outside can have major benefits for kids, from learning about science to building their immune systems. Having an area outdoors gives kids the opportunity to get out their energy and explore safely, and it gives adults a chance to kick back and relax after a long day. If you're living in a city, space may be scarce, but even a small patio or green area can bring some benefits. In this episode, the backyard was a major selling point for the couple and the family. "Did you see my eyes light up as soon as we walked back there?" Nathan said, referencing the large green space available at the second house.
Finding or designing a home for a large household can be overwhelming, but prioritizing important and high-traffic spaces can make everything feel less crowded, even if your overall square footage isn't that big. Kitchens, bathrooms, and backyards are all areas that get a lot of use and are often overlooked in favor of a big living room. Focusing on these areas will make your daily routine move more smoothly and make sure everyone in the family has room to thrive.