British blokes prioritise fun over function when choosing a home, new research reveals.
A new study by Britain’s biggest online estate agency Purplebricks highlights how UK men care more about having a dedicated space to unwind or enjoy themselves than women.
Nearly a third of men (28%) say their biggest priority when looking for a home is a games room, compared to just one in 10 (16%) women.
This £1.4 million eight-bed detached home in St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight boasts a sizable games room housing both a pool table and ping pong table.
One in five men (22%) list a home cinema and gym (23%) among their top priorities when buying a property, compared to around one in 10 women (14% and 16%).
This £945,000 six-bed detached home in Stafford comes complete with a gym and would be an ideal home for around a quarter of UK men.
Men (19%) are far more likely to be swayed by a potential property if it has ‘smart tech’ throughout than women (14%).
A drinks bar is also more popular among male home-hunters (15%) than female (12%), the survey of 2,000 UK homeowners reveals.
And, a private space or ‘man cave’ is a must-have for one in 10 UK men (15%) compared to fewer than one in 10 women (9%) who want a room just for them.
Meanwhile, women prefer function over fun in their ideal home, with their chief priority being a kitchen island – a feature favoured by nearly half (48%) of wives and girlfriends.
A bath would sway more women in buying than men, with nearly half (47%) saying they would look for one in a future home, over two in five men (41%).
Another big draw for women is a utility room, desired by nearly half (47%) of the women polled, compared to around a third (37%) of men.
And, a walk-in wardrobe is among the top priorities for a third (35%) of women compared to just two in 10 (22%) of men.
The poll also revealed nearly three-quarters of men (71%) believe the lounge is the most important room in the home. Second is the bedroom (42%) and third is the kitchen (41%).
Two-thirds (66%) of women agree the lounge is the room where they care most about the décor and design of. Second on the list for women is the kitchen (50%) followed by the bedroom (47%).
Tom Evans, Sales Director at Purplebricks, said: “It turns out everyone wants their own space, whether it’s a man cave, a gaming zone or just somewhere to relax.
“Today’s homebuyers are prioritising lifestyle-friendly features that help them unwind, entertain or enjoy everyday moments”
