Would a bigger house make you happier? (2024)

By Dr Chris FoyeUniversity of Glasgow

Getty Images

The UK is often said to be experiencing a dire shortage of living space, but does having more room necessarily make people more content?

It is common to hear concerns about pokey new-builds and sky-high rents forcing people into ever smaller homes.

But the reality is that living spaces in England and Wales are actually larger than ever, with the average home increasing from 88 to 90 square metres between 2004 and 2016.

Instead, the issue is that the distribution of space has become more unequal.

Owner-occupiers often have a lot of space compared with younger renters, who may be sharing a home with several others. In 2017, about 28% of UK households contained one person, up from 17% in 1971.

Meanwhile, the proportion of families and individuals sharing private rented housing has almost tripled since 1992 to 6.6%, according to research by the Resolution Foundation think tank.

So, does more space always mean happier occupants, or is there a cut-off point?

Status and the neighbours

A London-based colleague recently told me about her aunt coming to visit her from Hong Kong. Upon seeing her shoe-box bedroom, she was filled not with pity, but with envy. The aunt had grown up seven people to one room, and thought this living arrangement the height of luxury.

This illustrates how the level of space that we expect or aspire to can depend on what we are used to.

Even after people move to a bigger house, it may not take long for them to start to feel like they don't have enough.

Surveying almost 1,000 people who chose to upsize their home, my research found that housing satisfaction initially increased after a move by 1.2 points on a seven-point scale.

But within three years, this rise had diminished by about 30% as people's space expectations increased.

You might think that people with very big houses would be more satisfied with their property.

But I found that any increase beyond four rooms per person resulted in no uplift in housing satisfaction at all.

This category is likely to include some older people who would like a smaller space but are reluctant to leave the family home.

But even for the average household, more space may not necessarily lead to more happiness.

Our space expectations are conditioned not only by where we have lived before, but also by our neighbours.

Because house size is a status symbol, we feel worse off when other people get larger houses.

A recent US study found that an increase in the size of the largest 10% of "superstar" houses had a significant negative effect on their neighbours, even if those people had also moved to bigger homes.

Previous surveys have suggested people would be prepared to have less living space overall if it meant they had more than others.

Are you 'normal'?

This is not to say that everyone is consciously competing with their neighbours over who has the biggest house.

Most of the concern about house size may stem from an underlying desire to fit in and do things which are considered "normal".

Counting the costs

As a nation, we do not seem to be getting any happier with our housing, even though living space and housing conditions have improved for many people.

The US-based study draws similar conclusions. It suggests that for people living in a detached house, satisfaction has stayed the same since the 1980s even as the amount of space per person has grown by about 40%, to more than 900 square feet.

Of course, more people moving into bigger homes does not come without costs.

The article touches upon several key concepts related to housing, living spaces, societal perceptions, and their impact on well-being. Let's break down and discuss these concepts:

Living Space Trends: The article discusses how, despite an increase in the average size of homes in England and Wales, the distribution of space has become more unequal. It notes the rise in one-person households and the increasing proportion of families sharing rented accommodations.
Satisfaction and Space Expectations: Dr. Chris Foye's research highlights a critical point about housing satisfaction. While upsizing initially boosts satisfaction, it diminishes over time as people's space expectations increase. This suggests that merely having more space might not guarantee sustained happiness.
Status and Comparison: The article explores how the perception of living space is relative, influenced by what individuals are accustomed to. It touches upon the concept of status symbols tied to house size and how people might feel worse off if their neighbors have larger homes.
Social Norms and Expectations: It delves into the idea that people's perceptions of an ideal living space are often shaped by societal norms. As homes get larger, the perceived "normal" amount of living space also increases, impacting what people feel they need.
Housing and Well-being: Despite the increase in living space per person, there hasn't been a corresponding rise in overall housing satisfaction. This brings attention to the complex relationship between increased living space, societal well-being, and happiness.
Costs and Consequences: The article acknowledges that obtaining more living space often comes with financial and environmental costs, such as increased mortgage debt, longer work hours, or commuting distances. It highlights the need for genuinely affordable housing and the environmental impact of larger homes.

Dr. Chris Foye, a knowledge exchange associate at the University of Glasgow and the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence, brings valuable insights into these topics. His research indicates that while more living space initially boosts satisfaction, it diminishes over time, suggesting a nuanced relationship between space, satisfaction, and societal norms. The article prompts critical discussions on societal expectations, status symbols, and the broader implications of housing trends on individual and societal well-being.