The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Australian houses are getting larger. For a more sustainable future, our houses can’t be the space for everything

  • Written by Bhavna Middha, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University

The average Australian household size[1] has decreased from 4.5 people per household in 1911 to 2.5 people in 2024. At the same time, the average house size has increased[2], from 100 square metres in the 1950s to 236m² in 2020. The average living space in Australian households is now 84m² per person[3].

The way we live in our homes – our habits and daily routines – is also growing and changing with our housing, and the way we want to live can shape the size of our homes.

For a more sustainable future, we need to embrace living in smaller spaces. This means not letting our houses be our primary space for every activity in our lives.

Our homes and ‘space creep’

Our houses first became bigger due to space creep, bringing more of the outdoors inside.

Once, older children were delegated to “sleep outs”, or closed-in verandas, when new siblings arrived. Over time, these draughty and unheated spaces may have been converted into bedrooms[4], and houses were increasingly built with dedicated rooms for each child.

Black and white photograph
Older children were often relegated to sleeping in enclosed verandas, like on this house in Cairns in 1927. State Library Queensland[5]

Our research[6] shows space creep now also occurs even in shrinking, empty nest households. Garages and sheds are increasingly being converted into “man-caves” or rumpus rooms for tinkering, play and privacy.

Some families we spoke with bought bigger houses because there was a separate “hobby room” for crafts or music[7], or separate home offices. People now see these spaces as integral to their home life, and buy or build houses with this in mind.

Space creep is also linked to how we consume. We saw many old fridges and chest freezers in garages, allowing for greater food storage[8] because people were concerned about having enough food in the house, needed to bulk buy items to save money, or because they tried to minimise trips to the store.

The routines set in these spaces result in us consuming more space. As we, as a society, become used to these spaces, we feel like we should need them.

COVID changed perceptions of how much space is needed in our homes. People living in apartments now describe them as feeling much smaller[9] than they did before.

Pets are increasingly viewed as part of the family: almost half[10] of homes have a dog, and one third own a cat. This means either making or buying more space to accommodate pets, as well as more energy consumption[11].

Studies have found[12] we spend more time in our houses than in the past, but overall time spent in each space in the house is less. And while the spaciousness of our homes may afford privacy, we lose connection. If every family member is in a different room on their individual screens, we lose some of the benefits of a family room.

Do we need more apartments?

After children have left, many people prefer to age in their communities. Without better options of smaller, well-built homes in the same location, older people often hold onto[13] the large family home.

Planning rules and conventionally designed houses often do not offer the flexibility[14] of subdividing homes that have grown too large. Smaller townhouses in the same area may be two stories with stairs, making them inaccessible for many older people. Older people need to be able to downsize without moving away from their communities, services and local area.

And yet, it is not as simple or straightforward as everyone living in apartments or units. Some larger houses are still needed to satisfy certain needs, like multi-generational living.

An apartment building.
One in five Victorians want to live in apartments, but only one in ten do. Denise Jans/Unsplash[15]

A recent study found one in five[16] Victorians would prefer to live in an apartment, but only one in ten do[17].

In Australia, apartments suitable for families are rare. Students, young couples or young families see apartments as transient living places[18] and not as a forever home, in stark contrast to how families see apartments in many cities in Europe.

As our lot sizes decrease and our new houses increase in size, garden space is compromised to the detriment of biodiversity, shading from trees and stormwater runoff[19].

Low and mid-density living that allows for smaller houses and units with backyards and apartments with generous balconies close to larger shared spaces, like parks and sports grounds, may satisfy the desire for privacy, serenity and improve physical and mental health[20] through contact with nature, while reducing the risk of hotter urban environments.

Changing priorities

Transitioning from larger to smaller homes, and from houses to apartments, means shifting from a culture where we have an abundance of private spaces such as pools, home theatres and hobby rooms in our homes to shared social infrastructure.

We need to see increased investment in social infrastructure – especially in[21] greenfield suburbs with new developments.

A home gym People might chose to have a bigger house so they can have a home gym, instead of a gym membership. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock[22]

It means investing in walkable community facilities where people can go to pursue their interests and hobbies and connect with others. Instead of a private hobby room, these activities can be brought into a public space. Instead of multiple living areas, families can share one living space or use outside shared spaces such as Men’s Sheds[23].

Changes to construction laws[24] may help protect consumers and help householders gain confidence in the monetary value of multi-unit living, by providing solutions for issues in apartments such as cladding, safety and insurance.

Another important step may be the New South Wales Housing Pattern Book[25]. The book, to be released this year, will contain the winning designs of an international competition for terrace houses and mid-rise apartment buildings that offer compact sized dwellings with flexible room sizes, private and public outdoor spaces and ample natural light. The designs will be able to be licenced for use by developers and home builders, and enjoy faster approval processes.

The availability of high-quality designs for smaller spaces in connection with attractive neighbourhood places may help Australians reimagine smaller, higher density, good home living.

References

  1. ^ household size (aifs.gov.au)
  2. ^ has increased (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ 84m² per person (www.uow.edu.au)
  4. ^ converted into bedrooms (www.tandfonline.com)
  5. ^ State Library Queensland (collections.slq.qld.gov.au)
  6. ^ Our research (www.sciencedirect.com)
  7. ^ for crafts or music (www.sciencedirect.com)
  8. ^ food storage (bristoluniversitypressdigital.com)
  9. ^ much smaller (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ almost half (aifs.gov.au)
  11. ^ as well as more energy consumption (www.sciencedirect.com)
  12. ^ Studies have found (anzasca.net)
  13. ^ hold onto (www.ahuri.edu.au)
  14. ^ do not offer the flexibility (www.ahuri.edu.au)
  15. ^ Denise Jans/Unsplash (unsplash.com)
  16. ^ one in five (www.theguardian.com)
  17. ^ one in ten do (www.abs.gov.au)
  18. ^ transient living places (www.sciencedirect.com)
  19. ^ detriment of biodiversity, shading from trees and stormwater runoff (ebooks.publish.csiro.au)
  20. ^ physical and mental health (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ especially in (www.planning.vic.gov.au)
  22. ^ Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  23. ^ Men’s Sheds (mensshed.org)
  24. ^ construction laws (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ New South Wales Housing Pattern Book (www.planning.nsw.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/australian-houses-are-getting-larger-for-a-more-sustainable-future-our-houses-cant-be-the-space-for-everything-245476

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...