Is small the new big???

"The Not So Big House" is one of our favorite books. McMansions are ridiculous.

Several years ago, we had considered building in KY, and had house plans based on this concept of quality vs. quantity. All spaces would be used at some time during the day- no empty rooms or cavernous spaces that would have to be filled with furniture but not people.

I also love "The Not So Big House" book and concept. Jdarg - I have the "Creating the Not So Big House" book if you ever want to borrow it.

I also love "The Not So Big House" book and concept. Jdarg - I have the "Creating the Not So Big House" book if you ever want to borrow it.

Thanks- I might! I need to read the "Not so Much Stuff" book first.

Given also national trend of a higher consciousness towards being more sustainable and a better steward of the land- does this not make sense to you guys? (not to mention the advantages of less to furnish, insure, heat, cool, clean, etc?)

We have been following this trend/school of thought/movement for the last few years. We are big fans of the whole "prefab" design movement, though I find the "prefab" label a bit of misnomer since a lot of what falls into that category is actually more on the level of high design and high quality. We live in a relatively small home on a modest-size lot, and I honestly feel it's enough space for us, even though it calls for a lot of togetherness to live this way. That's OK with me. If we would ever build a house--not likely, but just for the sake of discussion--I know we'd do it to be able to design exactly what we wanted rather than gain more space. I know of a married couple roughly in their 50s, no kids, currently living in a huge home who have just sold that home to build an even grander (in every sense of the word) one. Why?! To me, that is just irresponsible on so many levels.

I figured this concept out after living large for 7 years in "Mr. K's" house. Lovely 1926 home on 1/2 acre treed lot. By today's Starter Castle standards, it's 5100 sq ft. was hardly considered large (now they are building them up to 8 or 9,000 sq.ft. on that street). Personally, I felt like I was always losing things and people in that house. When we moved in 2000, we "lost" about 2,000 sq. ft. and I now feel at home. However, I REALLY feel at home in 1600 sq. ft. in sowal!

Too little...to late. Over the last couple decades we've wasted far too many resources (forrests, farms/orchards/beaches, minerals, metals, GRANITE) and too much energy building and maintaining too-big and too-tall "living spaces" (with many, many more to come) that today stand empty. What a shame.


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The Not So Big House, while better than most mcmansions, the designs are still fairly oversized, in my opinion. I have been preaching your message for a number of years now, for many reasons. I have a couple of interesting titles for you, but I'll have to dig them out and post later.

Hey Chick, I moved from a 1,900 sq ft house (blt in 1940) so no thought to space to a 5,000 sq footer. I can honestly say I am ready to move down to 3,500 maybe 4,000 very well planned sq ft.

Too little...to late. Over the last couple decades we've wasted far too many resources (forrests, farms/orchards/beaches, minerals, metals, GRANITE) and too much energy building and maintaining too-big and too-tall "living spaces" (with many, many more to come) that today stand empty. What a shame.


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But . . . the pendulum always swings back.

Too little...to late. Over the last couple decades we've wasted far too many resources (forrests, farms/orchards/beaches, minerals, metals, GRANITE) and too much energy building and maintaining too-big and too-tall "living spaces" (with many, many more to come) that today stand empty. What a shame.


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Shelly....... did you just hug a tree

One book for you, with all the designs, less than 1250sf, is [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Small-House-Designs-Award-Winning/dp/1579123651/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-6581963-3098063?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185752576&sr=8-1"]The Big Book of Small House Designs[/ame]. Another is [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Good-House-Cheap-Adventures-Extraordinary/dp/1561587524/ref=pd_sim_b_3_img/105-6581963-3098063?ie=UTF8&qid=1185752576&sr=8-1"]Good House Cheap House: Adventures in Creating an Extraordinary Home at an Everyday Price [/ame]

Some designs are quite impressive. Remember that our population is aging and they will not be able to handle stairs as easily as younger people. Nor, will many want to be so spread out with only one or two people in the house. Insurance in the coastal areas will also push people to smaller homes, less expensive to replace. There are green aspects to smaller tighter homes, too. I've often said that a community calling itself green needs to be sure to keep the homes small, especially if the homes are empty much of the time.

I drove around yesterday looking at new developments/towns/communities in Sowal and West PCB for a customer. I am concerned at the number of really big houses, on tiny lots, that are in various stages of completion....and the communities are close to being empty.

Who is going to buy and live in all these places? Did anyone identify a market for these houses before they built them?

What so may people ask for is "a little Florida beach house.." but, there are none. The older ones were all torn down to make way for the big houses with granite countertops I guess.

I love to hug the trees...before they are bulldozed by a developer

Hey Chick, I moved from a 1,900 sq ft house (blt in 1940) so no thought to space to a 5,000 sq footer. I can honestly say I am ready to move down to 3,500 maybe 4,000 very well planned sq ft.

Happens all the time. That space looks good on paper. You and I should have rented all that space before we bought! I still don't know what people need with 7, 8 or more sq. ft.!

But . . . the pendulum always swings back.

Only if they'll level all the McMansions and condos and put the beaches and wetlands back again....Not.

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Shelly....... did you just hug a tree

You mean there's a tree here???? :shock:



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I drove around yesterday looking at new developments/towns/communities in Sowal and West PCB for a customer. I am concerned at the number of really big houses, on tiny lots, that are in various stages of completion....and the communities are close to being empty.

Who is going to buy and live in all these places? Did anyone identify a market for these houses before they built them?

The market was for the investulators...but they're all trying to dump and run now.


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Happens all the time. That space looks good on paper. You and I should have rented all that space before we bought! I still don't know what people need with 7, 8 or more sq. ft.!

I was working in the back yard today and at one time could hear all 3 ac units running Can't wait to see that bill

Ask Mr. Smallbox! ;-)

Personally, I'm ready to downsize.

Only if they'll level all the McMansions and condos and put the beaches and wetlands back again....Not.

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Funny you say that, because about five years ago, my thoughts of this first began. To whom are they marketing these huge homes? Back then, anyone would buy them. However, I don't think they were thinking about the retiring baby boomers getting old. I think we will one day see these huge homes gutted, and rebuilt with three kitchens and and elevator, converting one home into three unit condos for the aging population.

Ask Mr. Smallbox! ;-)

When any of you'll are ready to build right size and green, give me a call. I have all the sources at my fingertips. "Prefab" or systems-built (6 different companies) that will withstand the nasty (occasionally) weather between beautiful sunny days, Insulated and sealed tight as a drum so you do not need 3 A/C's. Even have financing for energy efficient loans on your lot. And most importantly, it will look like the house next door, if that is what you want or the architectural review board will allow.

We built our 3300 sf house in a Boston suburb 10 years ago, and believe it or not were told it was too small for the neighborhood (average size in our neighborhood is 6000-7000 sf ). Our house was architect designed, the spaces all flow, and it has "curb appeal" from some of the nice touches the architect added. We put it on the market 2 months ago and it sold within a month. There are 3 other houses within a block that have been on the market for over a year. One of them was only priced a little more than ours, and is 6000 sf. The owners of that house actually approached our agent and said "I don't understand why they didn't buy our house-it's so much bigger!"

It seems to me that this McMansion trend is an exercise in circular logic, where the initial builder and subsequent buyers require features that they don't need but think some future buyer will want. People build as much space as they can afford, because the "investment" part of the home purchase says the bigger the better, right? Then they add features that they never even plan on using (when's the last time you used your whirlpool tub?) because "buyers in this price range will expect it". They scrimp on things that actually make a house more livable, but that don't add square footage, like using an architect, adding porches, and adding exterior finishes that make a house look inviting. Then at the end, they're out of money so half the rooms end up undecorated and unused.

This kind of thinking is perpetuated by listings that compare prices per square foot, particularly in developments like Watercolor or Rosemary. It implies that the houses are otherwise identical, so you should simply buy the one that has the cheapest price per square foot. Instead, buy the one that you like, and that works for you. Chances are, when the time comes to sell, you'll find someone else who likes it too.