What’s The Ideal House Size For Two People? (Explained)

When looking for a house, the size is an important factor to consider. How big or small your house is can affect the way you live, and you’d want to be comfortable in the house that you’ll live in.

For two people, you don’t really need a big house, but what is the ideal house size? How much space would two people need to live comfortably and have enough storage space?

You’ll find out in this article, so let’s get to it.

Here’s The Ideal House Size For Two People:

The ideal house size depends on your lifestyle, needs, and preferences; two people can live comfortably in a house with an area of 800 to 1,500 square feet. A house this size is adequate for two people and can fit one or two bedrooms, a bathroom, living areas, and other basic amenities.

How Many Rooms Do Two People Normally Need?

The number of rooms that two people need can depend on several factors such as their lifestyle, needs, and personal preferences. It can also depend on their relationship – whether they are a couple, siblings, a single parent and child, or simply roommates.

Budget can also be an important factor to consider. That is because not everyone can afford to rent or buy a house with multiple rooms. Some people may have a limited budget.

In general, two people would need one to two bedrooms to be able to live comfortably in the house.

The relationship between these two people is something that should also be taken into consideration.

For example, one room would be adequate for a couple because they would most likely be sharing a bed unless their cultural or religious norms dictate otherwise.

On the other hand, siblings or roommates would need a house with two bedrooms because they would prefer to have separate sleeping spaces. Having a room of their own would also give them adequate space to store their belongings and an overall sense of privacy.

A single parent and a small child can live comfortably in a house with one room, especially if the child is still in their toddler years. Smaller children typically don’t need their own room and would be comfortable sharing a room with their mom or dad.

Meanwhile a single parent and an older child, around 10 years old and up, would ideally need two rooms.

Apart from the bedrooms, the house should also have adequate space for a living area, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom for two people.

What’s The Average House Size For A Couple?

The average house size for a couple can vary a lot because it depends on several factors such as location and personal preferences of the occupants. Cultural and religious norms in the country or area are also important factors to consider.

In the United States, the average house size for a couple is around 1,200 to 1,500 square feet.

For most couples, 1,200 square feet is enough for them to live comfortably. A house of this size can fit a bedroom, bathroom, living area, dining area, and kitchen. It can also have adequate space for storage and extra space for a small home office area. It may even have an extra bedroom for guests.

It’s worth noting that this is just the average house size. Some couples may find that a small house would be sufficient for what they need while other couples may want a bigger house.

For example, a couple with budget constraints may find a smaller house, around 800 to 1,000 square meters, adequate for their needs.

The same goes for a couple who prefers an apartment in the city, where houses are generally smaller. In this case, the couple may choose a smaller home in a good location just so they can live closer to where they work. The commute is easier and everything else is convenient.

Here are other examples. A couple trying to have a family would prefer a bigger house with an additional room or two in case they plan to have kids in the future. This is so that they don’t have to move houses when their family grows.

On the other hand, a couple with no plans of having kids may also want a bigger house with all the extra space to pursue their hobbies, to have a dedicated home office, or to entertain guests. They may also want an extra bedroom to accommodate visiting friends and family.

Ultimately, it all depends on the couple’s lifestyle, needs, and personal preferences.

How Big Are Studio Apartments In Bigger Cities?

The size of studio apartments in bigger cities can depend on the location. Some cities may have bigger apartments compared to others.

In general, you would find that densely populated cities have smaller studio apartments compared to other cities. That’s because bigger cities have a bigger demand for living space even though it can be limited. And the rent here can be quite pricey.

Studio apartments in bigger cities can range from 300 to 600 square feet, but some cities may even have smaller studio apartments.

For example, in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, some apartments can be as small as 200 to 400 square feet.  In these cities, anything bigger than 500 square feet can be too expensive.

These small apartments are often referred to as micro-apartments and they are designed to be affordable housing options for single occupants or couples. In some apartment buildings with micro units, you can get amenities such as a common laundry room for the entire building, a co-working space, and even a fitness center.

So for people on a budget, a tiny studio apartment may be sufficient as long as it has the basic amenities for them to live comfortably.

Outside of these densely populated cities, you would find studio apartments as big as 800 to 1,000 square feet. You can even rent them for the same price that you have to pay for a smaller apartment in crowded cities.

Of course, the usual drawback to living in these apartments is the location since they may not be that accessible.

What Is The Minimum Home Size For Two Persons?

The minimum home size for two persons can vary depending on their needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Their budget can also be an important factor to consider.

In general, the minimum home for two persons should be around 500 to 800 square feet.

A house of this size can easily fit a bedroom, bathroom, living area, dining area, and kitchen. It may also have adequate storage space. This house can be affordable and easier to maintain, plus utility bills won’t be as high compared to living in a bigger house.

Because of the size constraints, houses of this size typically feature an open floor plan with the living area, dining area, and kitchen area in the same room. This makes the living space feel bigger, more airy, and less cramped. The only interior walls in this house would be for the bedroom and bathroom.

Any house that has a total area of  500 square feet may feel too small. Yes, it will still have all the basic amenities but in terms of living space, it can make you feel cramped and confined. It may also not have enough storage.

For two people, the minimum home size that they would need all boils down to their lifestyle and personal preferences.

What Functions Can You Combine In One Room?

Depending on your specific needs and lifestyle, you can combine two or more functions in one room. This lets you maximize the space in your house while having designated areas for different activities.

Here are some examples of combinations that you can do:

Living Room and Dining Room

In smaller houses, you can always have the living area and dining area in one room and there are some benefits to it. For one, this would create a more open and functional space, which makes it easier for the occupants to move around.

This combination also increases the interaction between occupants. If there are just two people living in the house, it can feel isolating to separate the living room and dining room. If you combine these two functions, it provides more opportunities for spending time together.

This setup is also great if you like hosting small gatherings and having people over.

Bedroom and Home Office

To create a multi-functional room, you can also combine the bedroom and home office.

A home office doesn’t have to take up an entire room. As long as there’s a space or corner in your bedroom for you to place a desk and other office items such as a printer or storage cabinets for your files, then that should be sufficient.

Kitchen and Storage Space

Some kitchens have more than enough storage space for food items, cookware, and other kitchen items. If you have extra cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, then you can use them as storage for household items and non-kitchen items.

Home Office and Guest Room

If there are just two of you living in one house and you have an extra bedroom, you can use that as a home office and guest room.

This is an excellent way of maximizing the space rather than letting it go to waste. You can use it as a home office on normal work days, which is great because having a dedicated workspace can help you increase your focus. And when you have guests staying over, then you have room to accommodate them.

Home Office and Home Gym

An extra room in a house with only two occupants can also function as a home office and a gym.

You can place a desk and other office items on one side while using the rest of the space for working out and storing your home gym equipment. Depending on the size of the room, you may be able to fit a treadmill, a few small dumbbells or kettlebells, and other workout gear. You may also use the space for yoga and meditation.

This way, you get enough space to work from home and a space to exercise and do your home workouts.

Sources:

The Ideal House Size And Layout To Raise A Family

How Big Is A Studio Apartment: Size Guide

Minimum Space Standards For New Homes

15 Brilliant Ideas For Creating Multi-Purpose Rooms