The Most Expensive Square Foot in Any House (Hint: It’s Not the Kitchen)

Why Layout Matters More Than Size

Extra square footage doesn’t automatically equal value. A poorly planned bonus room, awkward hallway, or oversized foyer can cost thousands in unnecessary construction or remodeling, and may never get proper use. Buyers often overpay for these spaces, only to realize they’re functionally useless.

Underused Spaces That Hurt Homeowners

Some of the most common “expensive” areas include:

• Oversized foyers or entry halls: Beautiful but rarely functional beyond greeting guests.
• Excessively long hallways: Waste square footage without providing usable space.
• Odd-shaped bonus rooms: Hard to furnish, underutilized, and often a renovation headache.
• Unfinished attics or basements: Large but costly to finish and often neglected.
• Walk-in closets with impractical layouts: Can cost more to build than they save in storage efficiency.

When you are touring a home, think about the practical use of every room and space, not just the square footage listed online. In many cases, there may be a technically smaller home that feels more spacious because of the functional layout. 

How These Spaces Affect Buyers and Owners

Large, underused areas increase upfront purchase costs and ongoing maintenance, so it needs to be worth the expense. Heating, cooling, cleaning, and furnishing these spaces all add up. Even if a home looks impressive, wasted square footage can reduce overall functionality and limit resale appeal in St. George’s competitive market.

Buyers who focus on truly livable space (rooms they will actively use) often end up happier and save money in the long run. Prioritizing flow, ceiling height, and connectivity is going to make a more significant long term impact than obsessing over total square footage.

Planning Around Functionality

When evaluating a home, consider:

• How often will you actually use each room?
• Could bonus or awkward spaces be converted into something functional?
• Does the layout encourage natural flow between living, dining, and kitchen areas?
• Are storage and practical living areas prioritized over showy, unused space?

Even minor renovations, like converting an oversized foyer into a sitting area or a bonus room into an office, can dramatically increase usability without adding significant square footage.

In today’s market, a savvy buyer looks beyond the MLS square footage and asks, “Will I use this space efficiently?” Homes with clever layouts, multifunctional rooms, and practical flow outperform houses with unnecessary extra square footage. When combined with location, schools, and amenities, functionality can greatly enhance both lifestyle and resale value.

Square footage is easy to quantify, but not all square feet are created equal. The most expensive square foot in a home is often the underutilized or poorly designed space that costs money but provides little value. For St. George buyers, focusing on functionality, flow, and livable space ensures a smarter purchase and more enjoyable homeownership. As Erika Rogers, St. George real estate expert, puts it: "Homes with efficient layouts consistently outperform larger homes with wasted space. In today’s market, buyers are paying for how a home lives, not how big it looks on paper."