Don't Tell Your Builder How Many Squares Your House Should Be
Let’s be real—building a house is exciting, stressful, and sometimes downright overwhelming. You’re making a million decisions, from the colour of the walls to the type of taps in the bathroom. But one of the biggest mistakes people make? Walking into their custom home builder’s office and declaring, “I want a 60-square house.”
It’s like walking into a restaurant and ordering 650 grams of food instead of choosing a meal. Sure, you’ll get something, but will it be satisfying? Will it have the right ingredients? Will you even enjoy the food? Instead of fixating on a number, think about what you actually need in a home—whether you're considering a knockdown rebuild or working with a custom home builder for a fresh start. Fixating on square meterage won’t get you your dream home—but trusting your designer will.
What Is a "Square" in Home Design?
In Australian construction, a "square" refers to an area of 9.29 square metres. This measurement comes from the old imperial system, where one square was originally 100 square feet (or approximately 9.29m²). While Australia has long since gone metric, this relic of the past still pops up when discussing home sizes.
But here’s the thing—two homes with the same square meterage can feel completely different depending on layout, ceiling heights, and overall design. A well-planned custom home, whether it’s a sleek modern home, or a classic French provincial home, can feel far more spacious than the raw numbers suggest if you design it correctly. So instead of obsessing over a number, focus on creating a home that actually works for you. Now that you know what a square is, let’s talk about why it shouldn't be your main concern.
Focus on Your Needs, Not the Size
Imagine this: you walk into a designer’s office and say, “I want a 60-square house.” But what does that actually mean? Do you need three bedrooms or five? A home office? A butler’s pantry for your growing collection of fancy olive oils? Rather than picking an arbitrary size, tell your designer what you actually need. They, with their expertise in home design, will figure out how much space is required to make it happen.
Here are some important questions to think about when telling your designer what you want:
How many bedrooms do you need?
How many bathrooms do you need?
Do you need a home office or study? A craft or playroom for kids? A library?
Do you need a big backyard? Space for pets?
Would you like a separate theatre room, or could another space serve dual purposes?
Do you need a second living area or a retreat?
What kind of kitchen and dining space do you envision?
Are there any issues or differences with your block of land to consider (e.g. a sloping block, flood zone)?
Are you planning for extra storage, a walk-in pantry, or a mudroom?
Your designer will take all these details into account and design a home that’s functional, beautiful, and perfectly suited to your lifestyle—whether you're dreaming of a modern home or a timeless French provincial home. Trust them—they know what they’re doing!
Smart Space-Saving Ideas
Okay, so maybe you do need a lot of things in your home, but you might not want a giant mansion that takes hours to clean or maybe you don't want to spend an extravagant amount on your house. No worries! There are plenty of clever ways to save space while still getting all the functionality you want.
Dual-Purpose Retreat and Theatre Room
Instead of dedicating an entire room to a home theatre, make your upstairs retreat do double duty. Install block-out blinds, in-built speakers, and a retractable projector screen, and now you’ve got yourself a theatre room whenever you need it. This is a great space-saving solution often seen in modern home designs.
Study Nooks Instead of Full-Size Offices
If you don’t work from home full-time, you might not really need a whole room for a desk. A small study nook tucked into a hallway, under the stairs, or within the living area can provide the workspace you need without taking up a huge footprint.
Convertible Guest Room/Home Office
Be honest—how often do you really have guests over? If the answer is "not that often," then your guest room can definitely double as a home office. A wall-mounted fold-down bed (a Murphy bed) lets the space work efficiently without wasting valuable square meterage.
Open-Plan Living with Defined Zones
Instead of cramming separate rooms for dining, living, and entertaining, embrace an open-plan design with strategically placed furniture and rugs to define spaces. It keeps everything feeling airy while still serving multiple purposes and saving a little money and space!
Built-In Storage Solutions
Ever heard the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place”? Built-in storage helps make that a reality. Think under-stair cupboards, window seats with hidden compartments, and shelving that reaches all the way to the ceiling. More storage = less clutter = a happier home.
Trust Your Designer!
Would you walk into a tailor’s shop and tell them exactly how many centimetres of fabric to use? Probably not. Instead, you’d tell them what kind of outfit you need, and they’d figure out how much material is required. Designing a house is no different.
Your custom home builder and/or designer have years of experience creating functional, beautiful homes. If you try to squeeze too many features into too small of a space, you might end up with rooms that feel cramped and awkward. But if you let the experts do their job, they’ll ensure your home feels spacious, balanced, and perfectly suited to your lifestyle.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The “Bigger Is Better” Trap – More space isn’t always the answer. If it’s not designed well, a bigger home can feel empty and inefficient.
Ignoring Storage Needs – It’s easy to underestimate how much storage you’ll need. Built-in solutions are your best friend.
Forgetting About Future Needs – Think about how your lifestyle might change in five or ten years. Planning ahead will save you from costly renovations down the track.
Trying to Fit Too Much in Too Little Space – Be realistic. If you want four bedrooms, a theatre, a home gym, and a butler’s pantry, you need the square meterage to match. Cramming it all into a tiny footprint won’t end well, so you have to consider your wants vs. your needs when designing your house.
Final Thoughts: Let Go of the Numbers
At the end of the day, your house isn’t just a number. It’s where you’ll cook meals, have movie nights, celebrate birthdays, and build memories. So instead of fixating on how many squares it should be, focus on how it feels. Trust your designer, embrace smart space-saving solutions, and create a home that truly works for you—a custom design and build tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re planning a modern home or designing your dream French provincial home, let the experts take care of the details. Ready to create a home that truly fits your life? Start by focusing on what truly matters—your needs, your lifestyle, and your future. Get in touch with us at Carmel Homes, and we’ll help you design the perfect home, tailored to you, with the right amount of space to match!
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