New build house sizes shrinking, claims new survey

A fresh analysis of house sizes for new build homes shows they are getting smaller.

A study by Tiger Sheds looked at data from the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has shows that while the average floor area of a UK home in 2016 was approximately 104.6 square metres, this dropped to 87.9 square metres in 2021, a decrease of almost 16 per cent. 

However, although the sizes of houses are getting smaller, the average number of occupants in houses across the UK has remained relatively stable over the last decade.

As well as this, the recent COVID-19 pandemic increased the amount of time we spent at home. 

Tiger Sheds spokesperson Lauren Coley says: “With the recent cost of living crisis, it’s vitally important that British homeowners can do what they can to make the most out of their homes. It’s undeniable that we have less space now than five years ago, despite house prices rising massively, but with the pandemic now is the time when we actually need more space in our home lives.

“Remote working has made it hard to switch off, with living rooms becoming offices, laptops making their way into beds, even lunch being made while on mute on a Zoom call. 

“We know from endless mental health studies over the past two years that being able to switch off after work is crucial for mental wellbeing, which is why investing in some outdoor space, whatever you may want that to look like, is a method of self-care you’ll be reaping the benefits of for years to come.”