Scotland's '˜Forever Home' revealed

A detailed study also found that we hanker after a property with a driveway, a play room – and somewhere to hang the washing.

Other must-haves include a large kitchen and breakfast room, an ample lounge, utility room and dining room.

A double garage and conservatory are also essential, as is a study and cloakroom. Ideally, we want to live in a location just 9.8 miles from the office.

Good transport links and a pub within a mile and a half are also vital elements.

While an ambitious one in three even went as far as to suggest their ‘forever home’ would include a swimming pool and sauna.

The detail emerged from a study of 2,000 homeowners carried out by Origin, the leading British manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors, residential doors and windows.

Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, said: “We wanted to find out more about the concept of the forever home and whether it still existed. Years ago it was not unusual for people to live in the same house for their entire lives, but we’ve certainly seen a shift in this trend as we now live in an average of seven homes throughout our lifetimes.

“Interestingly, more than three quarters of people in the region still believe in the concept of a forever home, which shows that the clear majority of homeowners are constantly climbing the property ladder, striving to find a home to live in for the rest of their lives.

“We carried out the research to find out exactly what people want from their forever homes, and if any of the features on their wish list could be added to their existing properties. Among the most sought after elements were a power shower, big windows, a bath and bi-fold or sliding doors – all of which can be incorporated into any home, without the need to move.”

Two bathrooms, two en-suites and two reception rooms are also key components.

On a national scale, over half of people chose the sea as the perfect view from their windows, followed by a countryside view of either rolling hills or a field of cows. Britain’s least chosen view from the home was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a football stadium.

Plenty of natural light was also a must-have for homeowners, with 99 per cent of people saying it was important. Over half said they wanted big windows, while bi-folding or sliding doors that lead out to the garden were also high on the list of features.

It also emerged that we dream of spending our years in a street where we are surrounded by friendly neighbours, four of whom we are on first name terms with.

A 1,000sq ft garden is the ideal size, according to most Brits.

With regard to amenities, our forever home would have everything we needed within a three mile radius. The Post Office, corner shop, newsagents and off-licence are considered the most important to have close by.

While a third of people are actively putting savings aside for their forever home, a third already reside in theirs.

The age at which we believe we’ll own our forever home emerged as 53, and four out of ten were convinced they would, at some point, purchase their dream pad.

Eighty-four per cent of UK adults are happy with their current home and around eight in ten think it’s likely they will try to improve or renovate the house they own now.

Ben Brocklesby continued “With such a high proportion of homeowners planning to improve or renovate their current house, we have some great practical advice on our website from our experts, looking at everything from how to make the most of a conservatory to styling your front of house – getting homeowners one step closer to creating their forever home.”

THE IDEAL FOREVER HOME AMONG BRITS:

Is worth £458,000.

Is 10.5 miles from work and has transport links.

Has three friendly neighbours – with four on first name terms.

Has the following rooms:

Playroom x1

Reception rooms x 2

En-suites x 2

Bathrooms x 2

Bedrooms x 4

And has the following features:

Front AND back gardens

Driveway

Off street parking

Patio

Double garage

Flowerbeds

Summer house

Somewhere to hang the washing out

Gates at the front

Veg patch

Open fields

Garden 1000sqft

View of sea view, rolling hills or field of cows

Is this far away from local amenities:

Post office - 1 mile away

Doctors - 1 mile away

Dentist - 2 miles away

Corner shop - 1 mile away

Supermarket - 2 miles away

Leisure centre - 3 miles away

Newsagent off licence - 1 mile away

Petrol station - 2 miles away

Park - 2 miles away

Playground - 2 miles away

Farm shop - 2 miles away

Pub – 1.5 miles away

School - 2 miles away

Clothes shop - 3 miles away

Library – 2.5 miles away

Cinema - 3 miles away

Restaurant - 2 miles away

Chemist 1.5

Vet – 2.5 miles away

And these are the most desired views:

Sea view - 54 per cent

Garden - 38 per cent

Mountains - 44 per cent

Field of cows - 21 per cent

To find out more, visit www.origin-global.com/forever-home