“In life, time goes by so fast. The children who are being born today, tomorrow they are getting married.” Maya lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and their three children. “In between, you try to be as happy as possible.”
Custom Home Design for Happiness
How do you design a home for happiness? While this answer will vary individually, there are some design principles that apply to almost every household seeking more joy and togetherness.
First: Separate Spaces for Different Generations
Multi-generational living is definitely on the rise. This can mean grandparents, parents, and children all sharing a single roof. To promote lasting harmony and happiness, as much as possible, ensure that everyone has their own space. For example, Maya lives in a mother-in-law apartment, with its own kitchen, bedroom, bath, laundry, sitting area, and entrance. “That way, if I get back very late from a date with one of my gentlemen friends, I don’t wake anyone up,” she explained.
Second: Large Family Room, Large Kitchen, Large Porch
Centering happiness in home design can mean prioritizing ‘togetherness’ spaces such as the family room, kitchen, and porch over other areas such as utility rooms, home offices, and storage. The sweet spot for a family room for households with more than 6 people is between 12′ X 18′ and 20′ X 20′. Don’t forget to factor pets into the floorplan – especially if they’re big dogs who need room to stretch out. Large spacious rooms are a hallmark of good custom home design.
Third: About that Porch – and Outdoor Living
Happy active families often live life beyond the home’s four walls. As Newton home builders, we’ve definitely seen an increase in demand for sunrooms or three-season porches. This is an affordable way to expand the home’s footprint and garner some much needed extra space. It’s also a favorite of homeowners who love their houseplants!
