When it comes to renting or buying a home, you may wonder about the square meters you need. In the following guide, we will inform you about the minimum m2 you should consider when filtering in the search for new properties.
In the current real estate market, understanding the square meters of a home is key to determining both comfort and the actual habitability of a property. A 60 m2 apartment that is well distributed is not the same as a poorly optimized one with a larger surface area, as factors such as layout, natural light, and space utilization directly influence the quality of life of the inhabitants.
Minimum square meters for a home
According to Spanish regulations, a minimum habitable area is 30 square meters. This is the minimum required for it to be considered a home. Still, when we talk about a small home, we refer to about 40 square meters, which is the minimum.
The minimum surface area of a home or minimum habitable meters may vary according to regional regulations, but generally in Spain, a threshold is established to guarantee basic habitability conditions. This criterion is essential to obtain the habitation certificate and to be able to legally rent or sell a property.
The ideal size for a single person or couple
Setting aside the minimum size, let’s say that the ideal for a single person or a couple is a one-bedroom home. If you can have a two-bedroom, even better. That is, about 60 square meters at a minimum.
A 60 m2 home can have enough space for one or two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. It is a small size but sufficient for people living alone, as a couple, or even with a child.
In practical terms, 60 square meters of housing usually corresponds to a 2 small bedroom apartment or a layout like a spacious 1-bedroom apartment. This size is common in the market for 60 m2 apartments in Barcelona and is considered one of the most balanced options for one or two people, allowing for functional use of space without sacrificing comfort.
In cases where you want to have a larger family, work remotely, or seek space for guests, it is better to have at least 90-100 m2.
A home of between 90 and 100 m2 is considered the standard for a family of 3 or 4 people, typically offering 3 bedrooms, a spacious living room, and two bathrooms. This range of surface area is one of the most sought after in the real estate market because it allows for a balance of space, functionality, and price per square meter.
The ideal size for a standard family
If we consider that the average number of children in Spain is 1.3, it is necessary to have a home with at least two bedrooms. After all, one room can be for the couple and the other can be for one or two children.
If you can afford it, you might opt for a 3-bedroom home, which would be around 100 m2. This is ideal for a family of 4 people.
What is the ideal size per room?
Although we usually focus on the square meters of the homes, it is important to consider the m2 of each room. For example, it is recommended that the bedroom have between 8 and 10 m2 at a minimum.
In the case of bathrooms, they generally range from 3-4 m2. While toilets can be around 2 m2. The same goes for a laundry room.
If an open area of living room and kitchen is created, it is interesting that it has at least about 30 m2.
The fact of having sufficient storage space and light is also key to better utilize the space and make it look larger.
>Filter by m2 and get the best price in your home search
When using portals to search for a home, one of the most common filters is square meters. If we consider the average price per m2 in the area, the more m2, the more expensive the home will be.
The ideal is to look for a home with the minimum m2 you need and also with a good layout, to ensure that it completely fits your needs. Also keep in mind that if you decide to buy a home, you will pay home insurance according to the m2.
When searching for a home, filtering by usable square meters is one of the most effective strategies to optimize the search on real estate portals. This allows you to adjust the selection not only to the budget but also to the actual space needs per person, which is key in high-demand cities like Barcelona.
Can we help you find the perfect home?
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