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.
Swede Kenneth Clausen built a man cave in a 1970 Cold War bunker in the remote Swedish village of Ljungby (pictured)
This house in Arizona featured a 6,000 square foot man cave, including a basketball court
The $20million Arizona house also came with its own shooting range and Go-kart track (pictured)
Kevin Francis’ Engine House man cave (pictured) was crowned winner of Britain’s best Pub Shed 2023
Graham Wildin inside the leisure centre he has built for himself and his family in his back garden, which includes a bowling alley (pictured)
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”