New study reveals the nation’s perfect home

What most people in the UK consider the perfect home is a four-bedroom, detached house somewhere in the South West or the South East, a new study has revealed.

The house would be in a peaceful area, in the country, away from large towns or cities, within walking distance of local amenities. The local pub should be no more than 1.2 miles away and a park or countryside just over a mile away. The nearest supermarket should be around a mile-and-a-half away, with a fish and chip shop and school no further than 1.3 miles away from the house, the survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed.

Researchers, who conducted the study to mark the release of a new animated movie, called HOME, also found a power shower is the most wanted feature in the perfect home, followed by double-glazed windows, a walk-in wardrobe and a dishwasher. Lots of storage, well-insulated walls, a neatly manicured lawn, utility rooms and a big bath are other essentials for a perfect home.

Fixtures and fittings were found to be important with the perfect home including an American style double fridge freezer, a 52 inch TV, coffee machine and air conditioning. Rooms which feature in the ideal home include a conservatory, double garage, a wet room and a large converted attic.

Outside, the house should have a south-facing garden, large shed, patio and a vegetable and herb garden.

Under-floor heating, a balcony, a Jacuzzi and an AGA cooker also feature on the ‘most wanted’ list.

While most of Britons are dreaming of a quite home in the UK, there is a small part of the population that is picturing their ideal home somewhere else. One in ten of survey respondents said that to be perfect, the house must be abroad.

The study also found that over one in twenty Britons are currently living in a home they consider to be perfect, with another 56 per cent admitting they still love their house, even if it’s not ideal.

The 20 most important features of the perfect home:

1. Power shower
2. Double-glazing
3. Walk-in wardrobe
4. Dishwasher
5. Lots of storage
6. Fully insulated
7. Flowers in the garden
8. Neatly mowed lawn
9. Utility room
10. Big bath
11. Conservatory
12. American-style fridge freezer
13. 52 inch TV
14. Low-maintenance exterior
15. A patio
16. Wireless surround system
17. Big shed
18. Double garage
19. Solar panelling
20. Vegetable garden