Living single? Single-story that is... Over the weekend, there was an interesting piece in the OC Register, entitled "Flashes of the future home." The article highlighted some trends that some consultants are predicting on what our homes will be like in the future. "The home of the future will be more open, integrated, green, and casual." One of the predictions is to look for more one-story homes, "almost like a ranch-house typology. It's more versatile for the elderly and better for the young professional in terms of quickness and expediency."
Most new housing developments in Southern California start at a minimum of two stories, with many at three or four. It seems this is usually a result of builders wanting to maximize space to be able to fit more homes, so building up is a common solution. Having a one story home, or returning to the "ranch-house" style would require more land to build on. So we are wondering, if you were to buy a new home, would you consider a one story home? Would there be any conditions it would need to have if you did? Or is a multi level home better? Do you see any benefits to a one story home as opposed to a multi level or vice versa?
I live in a single story home now. It's a brick ranch from the 1960's, and we're updating it to look a bit more open and modern - but we've talked about moving from here to either an old victorian, or to a condo. It's been nice, but being so far out in the suburbs to have 1/3 of an acre means we're not around people in our demographic (DINKs) with our similar outlooks on life.
view Blue_roses's profile
My house is two-levels and fine for me, but not so fine for my troop of seven aging mutts (who ALL want to snooze in the upstairs bedroom with me.) I'll always be a rescuer of older street- and shelter-dogs, so for the sake of helping them manage stairs, I see one level on my near horizon.
Yes, I know what you're thinking: seven dogs -!?! But with no rugs, two Roombas and a spare decor, I manage to keep the place pretty clean.
view holland's profile
I live in a 2-story townhouse circa 1970. The geniuses who designed it put bathrooms only on the 2nd floor, so you have to run up the stairs anytime you have to go. Two levels are only good if they're well thought out.
view Erin K.'s profile
I live in a two-story house. I really like the separation: study, lr, kitchen, bath, utility room on one floor, bedrooms and another bath on the 2d floor. It's not small, though; I'm just sayin'.
view ebrown's profile
I live in a 2 story townhouse (with a bathroom on the 1st level) and I have to say, I agree with Ebrown, I really love the separation. It's really nice to have your "living spaces" downstairs and just have bedrooms upstairs. We've turned the 2nd spare room into an office/ music room and it's really great when my husband is playing his guitar, and I'm downstairs doing my thing!
view mwood57's profile
I prefer the 1 story ranch/rambler homes and they do not need to be humungous, nor spread out and to further keep them rather compact, have them built on a daylight basement which can include the family room and an extra bedroom or two.
Also, who says ramblers or any type of 1 story home can't be built, if designed right to fit on small lots in the inner city?
view ciddyguy's profile
My ideal home would be just a single storey (which I believe is the right spelling!?) with the "backyard" being placed in the middle of the property, rather than at the back. One of the two "halves" (which would be connected by a quasi-hallway) would be for the more private spaces, and the other for "living". I know this would probably result in certain problems, like wildlife getting into the space then not being able to get out, etc, but I'm sure these could be overcome with some clever (or even simple) planning. I used to love 2-level places, but then I lived in a 1400 sq. ft, two-level, two bedroom apartment in a self-contained building (with no other residents! whoo-hoo! we made all the noise we wanted) and now I live in a 1-level 600 sq.ft. "loft" and I greatly prefer the smaller space. The high-ceilings and open space help a lot. Maybe I'll change my view when I have a family. I also have an ageing dog and so I don't see stairs in my life during his lifetime.
view Vinny's profile