New single-family house in southern Germany

Understood; we have completely different lifestyles, which is okay.

I also have a garage with an attic. Unfortunately, there are mice there as well. That would be really bad for the armchair. I see a problem in that you invest more time planning storage options for, for example, old armchairs than for the future house. Throw the old thing away. Building the house is so damn expensive, the armchair doesn’t matter anymore. And when you’re building, the armchair will be your smallest problem. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about.

... will not end up without reasonable storage space in the end? ...

Storage space is important if it is used MEANINGFULLY.

... There are plenty of things you sometimes need and don’t want cluttering the living area: camping gear, ski equipment in the summer, sailing gear in the winter season, and so on.

The space required for suitcases and garden tools should not be underestimated :D I sometimes wonder where such things disappear to in these new buildings without basements and attics. Everything in the utility room or in the garage? My experience shows that quite a bit accumulates in the "household life." But ... it must work somehow :) (and no, we don’t keep all our (life) stuff, but have already parted with many things ...)

We do not have a basement but a normal staircase to the insulated attic. Time and again. Easy to walk, daylight, storage room, huge play area during the first lockdown. Friends have set up a drum corner for their son under the insulated roof. Costs are negligible. 2 windows, staircase, a bit more insulation.

What I wouldn’t want to miss is a ground-level storage room for garden stuff. Quite a lot accumulates there.

Work out your space planning more precisely. Fill the rooms with contents. Bed in extra length, 4 m continuous wardrobe, distance between bed and wall at least 70 cm. Living room sofa with dimensions XYZ, sound system, 5 m bookshelf, etc.

Admittedly, I belong to the category of hunters and gatherers and have clutter everywhere in the basement and attic. But actually, that is a waste of space. I have been planning to declutter for years, but either have no time or no motivation. There are plenty of excuses. If I were to build a basement, I would always do it again, but then use it sensibly. So now in the new building for my children, a large party room, a guest bedroom, and a hobby room are planned in the basement, and of course the HAR, plus there are 2 storage rooms and 1 toilet. Garden tools and bicycles will not go in there, as we built without a basement exit. They will have to go into the garden shed or garage.

Admittedly, I belong to the category of hunters and gatherers and have stuff without end in the basement and attic. But actually, that’s a waste of space. I’ve been intending to declutter for years, but either no time or no motivation. Plenty of excuses. I would always build with a basement again, but then use it sensibly. So in the new build, a large party room, a guest bedroom, and a hobby room are planned in the basement for my children, and of course the HAR, plus there are 2 storage rooms and 1 WC. Garden tools and bicycles won’t go in there, since we built without a basement exit. They’ll have to go into the garden house or garage.

So full again :D :D