Small spaces seem to be all the rage, but sometimes a bigger house is what a family needs. So how do you know if you really need a bigger home or really just want one. How big a house does your family really need?

Start by taking a look at your family and their habits

Several things can help you make the decision about how big or small a home you need. Start with your family size. Do you have a bunch of kids or just one or two? Even if you have just two, are they the same sex?

If you have three or more children or even a boy and girl, having enough bedrooms so that they have their own rooms, or boys in one and girls in another, means needing at least three bedrooms or more.

Extended family?

Next consideration might be your extended family. Living in Florida means that your home may just become vacation central for your extended family and friends. So having a home with an extra room or two for guests could come in handy.

Another extended family consideration could be whether there is extended family that will be living with you permanently. Does your mother or mother-in-law (or father or father-in-law) or a grandparent, sibling, etc. live with you? Those family members will need their own space and bath.

If you like to entertain in your home having a lot of space is important. Inside you’ll need a bigger kitchen and extra baths. Outside having a big deck or patio will mean space to have plenty of friends and family over to visit.

Lastly, do you work from home?

Having distance from the working area and living area is important for the person who works from home. At the very least, having an extra room with a door can give a dedicated area to work. So figure out if you really do need more home, and then get looking!