How many bedrooms do I need?
When searching for a new place to live, one of the first filters we apply is “How many bedrooms?” It’s a seemingly simple question, yet the answer can depend on your lifestyle, family plans, and even cultural norms. In Australia, the average house has 3 bedrooms, and the typical family (two parents and two kids) often expects that – basically one bedroom per child and one for the adults. But your personal needs might be quite different. Let’s walk through some considerations to figure out the right number of bedrooms for you.
Is it big enough?
The Australian Norm vs. Your Reality
It’s true that 3-bedroom homes are the most common here (over one-third of households live in a three-bed home), and the classic “4 people, 3 bedrooms” setup means each kid gets their own room. In fact, giving each child their own bedroom has become standard for many families. However, remember that this is an average – not a rule. Some families make do with fewer bedrooms (kids sharing), and others opt for more (perhaps a spare room or home office). Your ideal number depends on your household’s size and how you use your space.
Household Size & Composition: Start by counting the people who will live with you and their relationships. A single person or a couple may be fine with one bedroom. A couple with one child might want two or three bedrooms (one for them, one for the kid, maybe an extra). A family of four often wants at least three bedrooms, if not four, so that everyone has space. A general guideline is each adult or couple gets their own room; young children of the same gender can share a room (and sometimes even different genders when very young), but many parents aim to give each child a separate bedroom as they grow.
Keep in mind, children can share a bedroom – and there are even some benefits to it. Sharing teaches kids negotiation, consideration, and respecting each other’s space. Some families find that siblings become closer when they share a room (at least while they’re young). Of course, as kids become teenagers, they usually crave privacy. If your children are far apart in age or different genders, separate rooms might reduce conflicts. So, think about not just how many kids you have, but their ages and personalities. If you have two under 5 years old, sharing isn’t a big deal; fast forward 10 years, a 15-year-old probably won’t love bunking with a 10-year-old sibling. You can plan accordingly – maybe a larger shared room you can later split, or knowing you might move to a bigger place down the line.
Future Plans: Also project a bit into the future. Are you planning to have more children? Or could an elderly parent come live with you eventually? If you’re a couple in your 30s with no kids but hoping to start a family, it might be wise to get an extra bedroom now if you can afford it. On the other hand, if you’re close to being empty nesters (kids about to move out), you might not need as many bedrooms soon. Australia’s seen a trend of adult kids staying at home longer (well into their 20s), so some parents hang onto the big house longer. But once they do leave, you might find yourself with unnecessary rooms. Consider the next 5-10 years of your life: is your household likely to expand or contract?
Special Uses: Beyond Sleeping
Bedrooms aren’t just for sleeping! Think about how else you might use a “spare” room. Common uses include:
Home Office or Study: With remote work more popular now, having a dedicated room as a home office is a huge plus. If you work from home even a couple days a week, you might “need” an extra bedroom to set up your desk, computer, and files. Sure, you can work from the dining table, but a separate office space helps maintain work-life balance. Some people convert a bedroom or design a study nook for this purpose. If you anticipate working or studying from home regularly, factor in an extra room for productivity.
Guest Room: Do you have visitors who stay overnight often? If you have close family or friends living far away who come to stay, a guest bedroom is really nice to have. However, be realistic: if guests only come once or twice a year, is it worth paying for and maintaining a room that sits empty 90% of the time? Perhaps a sofa bed in the living room or a dual-purpose room can suffice for infrequent guests. On the other hand, if the grandparents come every school holidays or you frequently host friends, a dedicated guest room could improve everyone’s comfort.
Hobbies & Other Uses: Maybe you’re an artist who wants an art studio, or you need a home gym space, or a huge walk-in closet. Sometimes an extra “bedroom” becomes a hobby room or storage area. If you have a particular activity that requires space (sewing, music, etc.), count that in your bedroom needs. You might prefer a 3-bedroom house where one is an office and another is a music room, even if it’s just two of you living there.
Multi-purpose Rooms: If budget or space is limited, remember that rooms can serve dual purposes. You can have a guest room that is also your office, for example. A fold-out wall bed (Murphy bed) or a sofa bed can turn an office into a guest space when needed. Or your dining area could double as a study with a small desk in the corner, which saves needing an extra whole room. Modern designs often include clever solutions like study nooks or convertible spaces. So, you might want four distinct rooms, but you could achieve the functions you need with three rooms if they’re well-utilized.
Space vs. Cost Trade-off
Generally, more bedrooms = more cost. Whether you’re renting or buying, each additional bedroom raises the price. So you want to balance comfort with affordability. Ask yourself, “Do I genuinely need this extra bedroom, or would it just be nice to have?” If money is tight, maybe you can manage with one less bedroom than the ideal by using creative solutions. For instance, if you’re a couple with one child, a 2-bedroom unit might be much cheaper than a 3-bedroom house – perhaps the child can have the second room and you work from a desk in the corner of the living room instead of a separate study. Or siblings can share a larger bedroom in a 3-bed home rather than you stretching for a 4-bed.
On the other hand, if you skimp on bedrooms and end up overcrowded or struggling to find privacy, it can really affect quality of life. Overcrowding (too few bedrooms for the household) leads to stress. There are occupancy standards (like the Canadian National Occupancy Standard that Australia often references) suggesting that no more than two children should share a room and that children over a certain age or opposite genders should have separate rooms. While it’s not law for private housing, it’s a good common-sense guide to avoid feeling crowded.
So, factor in your budget. If you can comfortably afford the extra room, it might be worth it for the flexibility it provides. If not, see if you can make do with less and upgrade later when possible.
Different Stages, Different Needs
Your bedroom needs can change over your life:
Young Singles/Couples: Often prioritize location over space. A one-bedroom (or even a studio) might be sufficient. Many young people just need a place to sleep and store their stuff, because they’re out and about. However, some couples may want a two-bed so they can use one as an office or plan for a baby. Average new apartments often have 1-2 bedrooms, which align with this demographic. Also, a share-house of multiple singles might each want their own bedroom, so a group of three friends might rent a 3-bedroom together instead of separate one-beds.
Growing Families: This is where bedrooms become crucial. Each child potentially adds a bedroom need. A family of four might debate between a 3-bedroom (two kids share one room) or a 4-bedroom (no sharing, plus maybe a study). Think about your parenting style and kids’ personalities. Some families in expensive cities manage with kids sharing due to cost – that’s okay if it works for you. Others will sacrifice other things to get that extra bedroom for peace at home. Most new Australian detached houses now are built with 4 bedrooms because of this demand. That configuration (4-bed, often also 2 living areas) is popular so that there’s space for everyone. If you have an infant, you might keep them in your room for a while, but eventually you’ll need to room them somewhere. Planning ahead can save frequent moving.
Empty Nesters/Retirees: Once the kids move out, you might find yourself with “too many” bedrooms. Do you downsize to something smaller? Many older couples do choose to downsize to a 2-bedroom home or unit that’s easier to maintain. They keep one master bedroom and maybe one spare for guests or grandkids visiting. On average, mature couples in Australia often prefer about two bedrooms with a small low-maintenance layout. That said, some people keep the big family home for grandkids visits, hobbies, or because they simply like the space (or can’t bear to part with the house full of memories!). It’s a personal choice – but from a needs perspective, two people rarely need a four-bedroom house, and many find it practical to transition to a cozier place.
Investors/Landlords: If you’re thinking in terms of property investing, the number of bedrooms affects rental value and target market. Three and four-bedroom houses attract families (who often stay longer as tenants and need space), while one and two-bedroom units attract singles, couples, or students. Three-bedrooms are the most common and broadly appealing. Four-bedrooms can command higher rent but your pool of renters might be families only. One-bedrooms cater to a niche. So if you’re buying a property to rent out, consider what’s in demand in that area. (For instance, in a city CBD, 2-bed apartments might be hot; in a suburban area near schools, 4-bed houses might be the thing.)
Clever Design Can Trump Raw Numbers
An interesting point: not all same-bedroom-count homes feel equal. A well-designed 2-bedroom home with open-plan living and plenty of storage can sometimes feel more spacious and be more practical than a poorly designed 3-bedroom. Some modern small homes use clever layouts, like multipurpose rooms, fold-out beds, and built-in storage, to make a smaller number of rooms incredibly functional. On the flip side, an older 3-bedroom house might have small rooms or a weird layout that doesn’t actually give you much usable space. So, quality matters as much as quantity. If you tour a home and think, “These bedrooms are tiny!” you might treat it more like a 2-bedroom plus a study, rather than three genuine bedrooms.
Also consider living areas relative to bedrooms. If you have many bedrooms filled with people, do you have enough bathrooms and living space for everyone to be comfortable? It’s a balance. Sometimes a family chooses a house with one less bedroom but two living areas or a larger yard, so the kids have room to play and hang out, even if they share a bedroom. Decide what’s more important to you: personal bedroom space or communal space.
Conclusion: Tailor to Your Needs
Ask yourself a few key questions:
How many people will live here in the next few years? (Including any planned kids or likely roommate changes)
Do I need a separate room for work, guests, or hobbies?
Can I afford the extra bedroom, and is it worth the cost for the benefit it provides me?
Am I okay with some household members sharing a bedroom if needed?
By answering those, you’ll have a pretty good sense of the bedroom count that fits your situation. For many, the answer will change over time. It’s okay to not have your “forever home” bedroom count right now. You might upsize when your family grows, or downsize when it shrinks.
In Australia’s current housing market, where space often comes at a premium, it’s wise to be realistic. If you can afford a bit of extra space, it usually makes life more comfortable and future-proofed. But if not, remember our parents or grandparents often raised large families in 2-bedroom cottages! It can be done; it just requires flexibility and making the most of the space you have.
In the end, the number of bedrooms you “need” is the number that allows your household to live comfortably without wasting money or space. It’s a personal balance. Take stock of your lifestyle now and in the near future, and you’ll arrive at the magic number that feels just right for you.
