My house, my castle isn't just a saying, it's often a dream – something to aspire to and save for.
But is size really the issue?
We're often raised on the dream of home ownership, and as per movies, books and general pop culture, we're led to believe that bigger is always better.
This has given rise to the term 'McMansion', which is in all cases, a derogatory name for a home that simply outsizes the family who resides there.
Australian website Completehome has recently released an article on the phenomenon, and according to their property expert Andrew Winter, size does matter – but it's all about how you use it.
According to Mr Winter home size is relative.
While he admits that there is undoubtedly a need for a certain amount of room for comfortable living, he suggests that beyond that, it's all about how you use your space.
Not to mention that he believes that the days of building great castles of grandeur with as much space and extravagance as possible are numbered.
Hopefully, he says, this will mean the return of the great backyard.
While homes grew larger, taking up all the land available, lawns and outdoor areas grew smaller. Instead, homes might now be built as two or three storeys instead.
Mr Winter points out that larger-sized homes aren't usually all that necessary, saying that even an extra square metre can add as much as $1,000 to $3,000 to a new home construction price tag. Similarly, per extra square metre, a renovation will cost at least $1,500.
If you're looking to build and are still at the blueprint phase, Mr Winter suggests thinking about the absolute minimum space you would be comfortable in, and comparing it with your planned areas so you can visibly see whether your choices are necessary.
This will help your budgets stay on track as well as ensuring you don't end up with something more than you bargained for.
Rather than focus on the sheer size and scale of your new home, Mr Winter recommends considering the actual design, and putting more energy into the feel of the place, rather than the space.
Consider quality windows, varied ceiling heights and finer architectural details and features. Think about your flooring options and mouldings, and take some time to imagine how your interior design scheme will work with the layout of your home.
Well-designed and carefully thought out architecture has just as much to offer, if not more, than plainer large rooms and areas. Mr Winter says that simple things like window positions, sizes, shapes and sight lines will change the overall feel of a room.
And what about spare rooms? How many is too many?
The Completehome article suggests that spaces with no purpose are essentially a waste of square metres.
Rather than opting for an excess of spare rooms – is there something more creative you can do with the space? Or is there another way you can use the area to work with the rest of your home plan?
Perhaps you could have a gorgeous master suite bedroom or an ensuite bathroom rather than a small spare room that you'd rarely use?
Think about the use and feel of your home, rather than just the size.
Good interior design isn't just a huge home. Instead, play with paint schemes, furnishings and homewares to make the most of whatever space you have.
Get inspired ! 
