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When searching for a family home, it’s essential to consider not only your current family needs but also what they may evolve into over time. This decision is complex, as the chosen home should ideally suit a growing family’s changing requirements. For instance, an open-plan kitchen and living area may initially work well, allowing supervision of young children, yet it could become challenging as children age and their activities—like watching TV, playing musical instruments, or gaming—become more diverse. In these cases, open-plan spaces might lose their charm.
Finding the right home can be daunting, but experts are available to help. With over 20 years in the industry, Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward’s (KFH) sales manager advises that families consider four main aspects when looking for a home: size, practicality, location, and safety. For growing families, she suggests thinking about the adequacy of bedroom sizes and the possibility of additional spaces like playrooms.
She also recommends bringing children along to viewings, letting them choose rooms, and maintaining a checklist for criteria like school zones, proximity to amenities, and the presence of other families in the neighborhood. Practicalities such as storage and expansion potential are vital, and she highlights the importance of garden or nearby green spaces for young children.
The considerations apply to renting families as well. A lettings manager from KFH in Crouch End encourages families to carefully weigh the advantages of open-plan living, suggesting separate spaces for different age groups to accommodate varied activities. Additional spaces like conservatories and outbuildings are increasingly popular among renters for their flexibility, which can accommodate a family’s evolving needs.
