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Helmer in her home office.
Small spaces appeal to me. I like the idea of downsizing my life to fit into 500 square feet - or less. My current home is almost double that size, which is still 50 percent smaller than the average American home. Even though I work at home and share the space with my partner, Jerry, and our three dogs, the house still feels too big.
Yes, I want less space.
My penchant for small spaces isn't new. I chided my sister for having a small bedroom in our childhood home, but I secretly coveted her cozy little room. While I was in college, I sought out a tiny study carrel in the back corner of the library as my classmates clamored for spaces at oversized tables. They'd spread books and papers across as much real estate as they could claim. Not me. As an adult, I have lived in everything from a 550-square-foot apartment to a 1,800-square-foot house. Ironically, or maybe not, the smaller places always felt more like home.
I'm not alone in the quest for a smaller space.
Though exact numbers of small space-seekers are hard to pin down, statistics show that our homes are getting smaller. The average square footage of a new home has dropped six percent in the past 12 months and further declines are expected, according to the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB reports show that 59 percent of builders plan to decrease the square footage of the new homes they build in 2010.
The Small House Society, an Iowa-based organization that promotes smaller living spaces, averages 1,000 hits to its website per day - up from just 100 hits per day when the organization was founded in 2002.
There's debate about what constitutes a "small home". Sarah Susanka, author of The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live, subscribes to the notion that a not-so-big house is less about square footage and more about overall space.
"It's a house that is one-third smaller than you thought you needed," she says.
For some, the quest for smaller space is pure economics: It costs less to purchase and maintain a smaller home. The small home movement is also popular among environmentalists who want to lower their carbon footprint. The bottom line: Smaller houses are a better fit for the way we live.
"It's about living in a house that fits like a well-tailored suit; a home where there are not entire rooms that go unused," says Susanka. "It's a collective shift in our way of thinking that comes with the realization that we can live comfortably in a lot less space than we think."
Photo: Jodi Helmer
A few months ago, while wandering the aisles in search of a mirror, we stumbled upon two mini apartments set up in the middle of the store. We both fell in love with the design and layout of a space that topped out at 375-square-feet.
"It has to be bigger than that," Jerry declared after checking out the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom in the compact space.
"It's not," I countered. "Look, it's written right here on the wall - 375-square-feet."
"I could live here," he said.
Who knew that all it would take for Jerry to realize that a small, well-designed space could easily contain all of our creature comforts was a trip to a 365,000-square-foot superstore?
Determined to offer more proof that small spaces could be livable, I started talking about the trend. I shared stories from a writer who blogs about living in a 480-square-foot cabin and showed him articles about couples who were making it work, including a couple in New York who call a 175-square foot apartment home. I pointed out small homes on television makeover shows and in magazines. To my surprise, he was intrigued by the idea of living in less space and had some great ideas about how to make small spaces more livable.
I also told him about my favorite hotel room game.
We had the chance to play together when we spent a weekend at the Hotel deLuxe in Portland, Oregon, in October. After we settled in, I started the game.
"So, could you live here?" I asked.
He took a few minutes to look around before answering.
"Maybe in two adjoining rooms..." was his response.
It looks like my love of small spaces might be catching on. Who knows? By the time we're ready to celebrate the holidays in 2010, we just might be exchanging gifts in a 500-square-foot cottage in the woods (with an extra large bathtub to accommodate visits from my niece).
Jodi Helmer is the author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference.
Reader comments (Page 3 of 3)
"One size doesn't fit all" is as appropriate when relating to garments
Replyas it is when it refers to dwelling size.
We all have different tastes, needs, concepts of minimums and maximums in what constitutes a "comfortable" space. Couple these internal perspectives with the pragmatics of what we can afford, the desired square footage one ends up with lies within a continuum rather than a fixed point for everyone.
When my husband and I were first married we lived in a 700 sq. ft. apartment. We later moved to a 900 sq. foot duplex. Our next shift was to an 1800 sq. ft. older home, which we then remodeled and added on to create a 3600 sq. ft space.
Even though our family is now either grown or dearly departed, and we don't use all the bedrooms, except for guests, the house's footprint and ambiance is still comfortable and comforting to us.
Our next move, though, will probably be to a smaller abode. But, it's based more on the ebb and flow of life rather than any "movement" or housing fad.
To each his own.....
Yes, I lived in a 720 sq ft cabin for years and had more than enough space even with a dedicated guest room. The only time I was pressed for space was when we had dinner parties or social gatherings during the long Mn winters.
ReplyI have always thought that 1600 sq ft would be more than enough space when I retired and as it happened, that is exactly what I found when I moved to a warmer climate. Even with that, I could easily give up our spare guest room if I needed to it is basically just a wasted room only used with overnight guests. They could easily be accommodated by doubling up the use of my office space into a guest room when it was needed. I am pleased that the decade of excess is over and that the McMansions are going the way of the Dodo bird.
Optimizd home idea for family of four
Reply1250 Sq ft Everything at one level Three bedrooms, two or three restrooms. Instead of cramming wash basin, restroom and Bath tub in one area , have separate areas. Doable efficient home with reasonable entertaining area for guest.
One caveat. By lowering the standard home to to this size, are we really going to get the cheaper price in future ?
OR will we end up buying this "cute" home for more price per sq ft ?
I half agree small homes are easier. Cleaning is easier, but fitting a dog, frogs, fish, bunny, and a need for space ina five person family, you would want a bugger house. Then again what ever floats your boat works i guess.
ReplyI love the idea of a small house! Right now my husband and I live in a large 7 bedroom 3 full bath house while I care for his elderly father--we have 4 non used bedrooms, a large living room, never used, we have our private space in the lower level, with our own 15x26 living room, anyways, Dad is in the master bedroom w/master bath, the only reasons we still here is he is comfortable here, and I have been talking to my daughter recently about when the time comes, selling her home and coming here! Bringing the family together and she has agreed! This home is paid for, no mortgage, and lots of private space and enough bedrooms for my grandkids! So for htis reason I will keep this home, as long as I know in the future it will be used!
ReplyIn response to Rob especially,
ReplyIt is a new movement, maybe in response to people live within thier means, maybe due to developing an evironmental awareness.
whatever, maybe people are starting to realize that it's a good idea to have brothers sharing rooms, and they are realizing that not everyone in the house needs thier own bathroom.
I live with my husband in an 800 square foot condo- 1 bed, 1bath. When we have house guests someone sleeps on the fold out couch.
I admit that if we were to have kids or a permanant house guest we would upgrade to a 2 bed, 2 bath.
A friend of mine and I have plans for a Life time home,,, cost is 800 sq ft for $20K to build, plus land, will easily and comfortably provide for upto 6 people with green house, ambient cooler, grey water, individual spaces, solar, wind, large scale heating, cooling unnecessary. Mini village plans 10 families per five acres, underground homeschool, much more. Write A.S. Unretirement homes or bachelor spaces, 267 square feet. fire proof-98% sound proof walls.
ReplyTell me where you're getting this dream house built for 20g, be glad to join that community.
I am not fond of small spaces. There are 4 of us living in about 900 sq. ft. and that includes the garage. It is very hard to find quiet time for yourself or to be able to watch a TV show without having to shish the others. I want a place with at least 1500 sq.ft. to 1700 sq.ft. And everyone can have their own bedroom and space without feeling like we are all on top of each other.
ReplyI agree with Marilyn. A year ago my hubby and I built a 4600 sq ft house and moved from our 30 yr old 2800 sq ft house. We will be empty nesters next year! We can entertain and have overnight guests with no problem. We also don't get cabin fever in winter and stay at home in summer for our "stay-cations." Our home is energy efficient and we use all of the space. I am organized and never cluttered because I have plenty of room. One guest bedroom is our exercise room so no need for gym fees and our bonus room is our "basement" but stays much warmer and has room for future grandkid's toys.
ReplyHaving overnight guests in a tiny house is uncomfortable and nearly impossible. We actually (unfortunately) quit going to my inlaws because they had a tiny home, one bathroom, and we were stuck on an ancient pullout couch in a tiny basement. It was miserable. So...YOU may enjoy a tiny space but your guests and family won't.
My family of 4 lived in a 5000 sf house and then downsized into a 370sf RV where we lived for 20 months. Our two boys were 1 and 2 years old when we moved into the RV. When we finished the US tour on as part of my husband's work we moved back into homes without wheels. The first one was a 1600 sf rental house followed by another 1400 sf rental house. But, when the "rubber hit the road" and we went to buy a house and settle down into a community after over 3 years living in smaller spaces (my husband runs his business from home), we chose to increase our living space back up again. We settled on something that's about 3800sf with a full home office. I love the efficient living of smaller spaces but I'm happy with this decision to expand again.
ReplyI will add to my comment above and confer with others. First, out boys will share a bedroom. I think that closeness is important and they wouldn't have it any other way. And I can't wait to be able to have out of town family members be able to stay with us! With one bathroom and one or two bedrooms the past 3++ years, inviting our extended family to visit from other states has not been an option.
ReplyI just ordered a new home from a new start-up company called Amerisus. They are the nation's only firm soley focused on small, affordable, efficient, sustainable homes for the masses. At 1200 s
Replyif you have the feeling of space and private areas and all the amenities without expensive up keep, room for a garden, patio, private play yard for the kids or grand kids, niches for precious viewing, a house that can be paid for in twelve years, room to expand up or down, easy maintenance. Most people are too busy working, to live 24/7 in their homes. The new status hould be do people feel comfortable in my home?, Can I handle guests without everyone feeling crowded and put upon? We have been a society of consumers and creators, large homes were originally built to handle multi aged families and their retainers. Multi-incomes make them affordable and maintainable. You can take homes and duplex them for a larger family or check our plans. A.S. Fun flexible green living with low maintenance.
ReplyI'm not criticizing people for wanting a smaller space, I have to clean 3500 sq feet myself. My issue is the article that says builders are downsizing because of "demand" (quote: The average square footage of a new home has dropped six percent in the past 12 months and further declines are expected). This is the dumbest thing I have read!!!!!!!!! Smaller house, means a cheaper house!People have no choice but to buy smaller homes because of the housing market in the past 5 years. With balloon loans in the boom 7 to 8 years ago, people were buying homes they shouldn't have bought to begin with or they lost pay, bonuses, or worse, their job. Homes have gone up in price faster than our salaries. I moved here in Missouri 8 years ago in a booming community...I can't even afford my own house anymore and that's after we lost equity. That's good for us...if anyone can afford to buy it now. The area was considered "prime" and we bought before the price went skyrocketing. The average house went from $64 to $130 a sq ft. in just 3 years. That is a 49% increase...most people don't double their salaries in 3 years. They sell property by the foot here...by the foot...in Missouri, and that's before you build the house on it, that's nuts. They play off this article like people are "doing the right thing"...they have too!
ReplyJust a reminder. The collapse of our housing market occurred under republicans, not democrats. Reducing taxes on our wealthy from Reagan, on, resulted in a transfer of wealth from many to a few. Hence, we have some living in 12,000 foot homes while others must now downsize. And I would predict that trend will continue on the increase.
ReplyIt's very naive to believe such a change could occur in one brief year. This has been in the making for decades. Life will never be the same. They've won. And I don't mean Obama and crowd, either.
Salaries for most are not what they once were. We didn't notice because so many were living off their equities to get by. The collapse of our housing market resulted in a near depression, I believe, because people no longer had equities to borrow against. Wages are not enough anymore to sustain our economy. The Middle Class has been decimated. You blame democrats for that, even though we haven't had a democratic president in thirty years. Yes, I hear your objection. But southern democrats are not really democrats.
Another problem is with our federal debt. Until Reagan, that was consistently being paid down since the end of W.W.II. But conservative tax cuts made our debt zoom upward. And that's why social programs are broke, today, much to conservative glee. Oddly, during the thickest of Welfare days, the federal debt was being paid down. It was when Reagan transferred welfare from our poor to our wealthy, it skyrocketed out of control.
I am very interested in the smal home movement. I am a designer, and one thing I really focus on with clients is how to make their homes more usable to them -using the formal living room as a library/office for example...making it work for the functions of the family. This can chage over time, too. I also teach classes and one popular one is "Living Large in Small Space"
ReplyMany of the commenters seem to be speaking out of ignorance. I am part of the growing movement for living more sanely in smaller, well-designed space. It has nothing to do with politics, and very often little to do with finances as much as with a desire to allocate our time and our money to things more important to us. For example, by spending less of our resources on a house and less time on the maintenance of a smaller space, we can if we choose dramatically increase the quality of our lives--not having to work so long and so hard simply to pay a mortgage is liberating. Obviously, "small" is a highly variable thing depending on individual needs, but quite often people don't "need" so much as they "want". One real secret of happiness lies in being happy with what we have and with who we are, not what we own or what the neighbors may think. Our present home, by the way, is well under 500 square feet for me, my wife, and our seventeen year old boy--and we could be comfortable in a bit less if it were well designed.
ReplyRE: I don't think that the "small homes movement" includes the elderly/older people.
ReplyO no no no..... I am 53 and I am building the last home I plan on living in. Total sq ft, just 340. You can pack all you can ever need into a small space. Just build another space for your hobbies and live a simple unclutered life. You can check out the house on my web site.
http://TheSmallHouse.com