A three-bedroom house near Birmingham, listed for £310,000, has drawn widespread attention and criticism for what many potential buyers have described as a "pointless extension." The family home’s advertised "second reception room" has been criticised for its impractical design, particularly due to its narrow dimensions, measuring just 1.6 metres wide at its slimmest point while stretching nearly 7 metres in length.
The current occupants had furnished the space with an armchair and sofa, attempting to make the narrow room functional. However, social media users and house-hunters alike have ridiculed the space, with descriptions ranging from a "corridor living room" to "a hallway with an abandoned sofa in it." Others went so far as to liken the room to a "single-lane swimming pool" or a "bowling lane," noting that it lacks sufficient width to accommodate an actual bowling alley.
Further remarks targeted the room’s layout, highlighting the awkward placement of a television mounted above the sofa. One commentator noted that watching the TV would require someone to "stand on the sofa," while another remarked, "I can’t imagine a more uncomfortable way to watch TV." Another user quipped that the height of the screen suggested "giraffes must live there."
Despite the criticism, some creative suggestions emerged from the online conversation about alternative uses for the space. Ideas ranged from converting the area into a hobby room or office to installing a dedicated rowing machine. One user proposed transforming it into a library, noting that the long wall would be ideal for bookcases. Another person expressed enthusiasm, calling it their "dream space," perfect for a small office and storage for bass guitars, though they acknowledged its limited appeal for others.
Nevertheless, the majority opinion remained critical, arguing the extension "did absolutely nothing to the house as a whole" and questioning the design choices. "Please tell me they were moving the settee, and the photographer came 30 minutes early," one commenter quipped. Another asked rhetorically, "What exactly was the point of that extension?" suggesting that removing the wall to the kitchen or extending the space upstairs might have made it more practical. Additional criticism reflected broader concerns about property sizes, with one user lamenting, "This is everything wrong with the housing in the UK today. Too flipping small."
The Daily Mail is reporting that the narrow extension has become a focal point of debate regarding home design and space utilisation within the UK housing market.
Source: Noah Wire Services