Is small the new big???

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.

I think I'm winning the "undersized" house contest here. I'm at 1232 sq ft. Granted, I live alone. If I had kids, this place would be crowded. But it's perfect for me, and I can clean it from tip to tail in under 2 hours.

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

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

Did I mention that I live in the Deep South and don't have central ac? I have a giant tree instead, right between me and the afternoon sun.

I really don't understand the concept of living in something so large unless there are 6 or more children living at home.

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.

I think you are on to something here! I think this a great idea. Maybe we should start buying them up and converting them. . . the baby boomers will be ready for them soon!

Want to go into business together?

Interested in your thoughts here. I know this market skews things in Sowal as so many people vacation here and, furthermore, I think that programs for second and third homes for some are more flexible - so to keep this on point let's assume we are talking ONLY about one's principal residence.

I recently attended a seminar that looked at the increasing national trend toward quality spaces (meaning: away from the McMansion to smaller, better-built homes). The demand for building smaller is becoming louder and is coming from homeowners who want comfortable places to live that are ?right-sized?; making them more sustainable, energy-efficient, and economic to build. I personally love the idea of exploring the topic of smaller houses from the perspective of design, development and marketing. 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?)

Chickpea, your last sentence brings to mind my parents. About five years ago they sold the house I grew up in--a rambling 4 bedroom in the Boston suburbs--and downsized to a 1200 sq ft condo in Naples. It took them a full year to get rid of a lifetime's accumulated stuff (I think the mental anguish in reducing took as much time as the physical aspect of tossing and/or giving away ;-) ).

My father is a talented engineer and he fully gutted the circa 1980s condo, refiguring the spaces to make everything useful, much as Susan Susanka has preached for years. My parent's 1200 sq ft lives like someone else's 2400. Proof positive that it's not not how much you have, but what you do with it. My mother--who initially resisted downsizing--now says that when you have less to take care of, you have more time to do what you really want to do. Like have funn.

my first house was 900sf, great to live in, but a little hard/small to run my business out of(tv's take up a lot of space)

second house was 1518sf, perfect. i miss it a lot.

current house is 1519sf, one more than perfect

when i move back west, i think i'd like to build smaller. just have one guest room instead of two. possibly an out-building for the truck and shop.

i've got my eye on this(available in steel): http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0242/0242pg.html

some links: http://www.fabprefab.com/
http://livemodern.com/home

This is right up my alley. We are closing on 1440 sqft of living space later today, not counting porches.

I think it will be a good size for us since our last two have been 1022 sqft (too small) and 2370 sqft (too big). Now that I've typed it, I see that it sounds like the Goldilocks and the three bears.. just right ;-)

This is right up my alley. We are closing on 1440 sqft of living space later today, not counting porches.

I think it will be a good size for us since our last two have been 1022 sqft (too small) and 2370 sqft (too big). Now that I've typed it, I see that it sounds like the Goldilocks and the three bears.. just right ;-)

Our first house was about 1200, and we had Will, 2 dogs and 3 cats packed in it. But Bdarg had gutted the entire house and put it back together to fit us and our needs, so it actually worked better for than the next house, which was 3000+. The current house is just right.;-)

Our first house was about 1200, and we had Will, 2 dogs and 3 cats packed in it. But Bdarg had gutted the entire house and put it back together to fit us and our needs, so it actually worked better for than the next house, which was 3000+. The current house is just right.;-)

Thanks JDarg. I guess I should add the disclaimer that there are only 2 of us with no pets so smaller is ok!

Thanks JDarg. I guess I should add the disclaimer that there are only 2 of us with no pets so smaller is ok!

Actually, it's not the pets taking up all the space. Will has 2 rooms- a bedroom AND an office. You know all 14 year olds need an office. We couldn't fit his bed, bookshelves, dresser, desk, computer and gaming stuff, etc. into one room, so he slowly worked his way into the back bedroom too.:roll:

Actually, it's not the pets taking up all the space. Will has 2 rooms- a bedroom AND an office. You know all 14 year olds need an office. We couldn't fit his bed, bookshelves, dresser, desk, computer and gaming stuff, etc. into one room, so he slowly worked his way into the back bedroom too.:roll:

I agree that all 14 year olds do need an office, and that back bedroom would be perfect..;-)

If one is quite generous when measuring, my dwelling is almost 600 sqr ft. I wish I had a bigger closet, but I (and all of my stuff) still fit quite nicely in that space and guests love it.

There are so many great ways to use small spaces to their full potential, instead of building yet another large and soulless room that serves only one function.

Houses should be customized to fit their owners' needs and lifestyle, regardless of "resale features". The amount of money wasted on "commercial grade" appliances that are only used to heat up takeout & leftovers, spa tubs for people who only take showers, formal dining rooms for people who usually eat in the kitchen and don't have dinner parties, multiple guest rooms w/ private baths that sit unused most of the time........

Houses should be customized to fit their owners' needs and lifestyle, regardless of "resale features". The amount of money wasted on "commercial grade" appliances that are only used to heat up takeout & leftovers, spa tubs for people who only take showers, formal dining rooms for people who usually eat in the kitchen and don't have dinner parties, multiple guest rooms w/ private baths that sit unused most of the time........

You forgot to mention the gourmet kitchens for people who hate to cook.

You forgot to mention the gourmet kitchens for people who hate to cook.

I always wondered about that one also..

You forgot to mention the gourmet kitchens for people who hate to cook.

That was in the part about the "commercial grade appliances only used to heat up takeout & leftovers".

I don't know who convinces people they need these things, but they are responsible for McMansions!

Our house came with an alleged formal dining room, but since I couldn't figure out why we'd need another place to put a dining table when we we already had two of them in the breakfast area and the back porch, it ended up being converted into a library/ study instead.

And given a choice, Mr. Mouse would rather eat on the couch while watching television anyways. Sigh.

Chickpea:

I love the small house movement and I agree that the best known book about small houses is good, though the houses don't seem that small to me (anything over 1500 sq. ft. wouldn't be considered small to me, and 1200 - 1300 would do it for a family of 4-5; would be tight for more than that, though do-able for sure).

If I were considering designing/building small houses:

1) I'd read about how people live together (what they really need to be happy/organized/settled), what supports people living good lives (e.g., being able to connect, yet get some time apart; gathering spaces; storage; safety, spaces for guests, spaces for work-at-home), what young families and elderly really need for good lives. I remember once reading that one problem with really big houses is that no one needs to spend time together, especially with technology. Our house is an old house (close to 100 years old) that has a 1990's addition to add a garage for 2 cars and a family room. The main living spaces on two floors are probably around 1800 square feet, with a basement and attic that are usable. Anyway, what I like is that when I'm sitting in the recliner in the living room with my laptop doing my work (it's a good job), I can hear the kids upstairs -- I like to hear the sound of the girls practicing their dancing in their rooms (it's cute), I can hear them cough (but I can't hear them talking), and I can sometimes hear them laughing -- all sounds I like to hear. The kids don't have computers or TVs in their rooms because the family computer is in the family room and the family TV is in the family room.

2. I really like having porches/decks for outdoor living. Things that extend the space outdoors - in cooler climates, a porch that has windows that can be used much/all of the year as well.

3. I do wish we had a nice separate room for a guest room because we like guests, and I do like a house to have enough space for when the kids come back with their own families when they are adults. We want them to be able to be comfortable here during their stays.

4. Home work spaces are nice (though we just have our shared desk in the basement - I work in the recliner, the kids work at the dining room table)

5. Energy efficient and environmentally friendly, of course.

6. Room enough to entertain with a big table (which probably means shared dining room/living room space so the table can be made bigger or smaller as needed and an efficient kitchen for cooking/storing).

7. Clever storage options to make the most of the space: I'm already starting to get rid of lots of stuff for when the kids grow up and in case we move to a smaller house. If we don't move to a smaller house, then at least we won't be taking care of a lot of stuff we don't need.

8. Very quiet appliances (dishwasher/fridge/airconditioners, heaters/etc.) since you can hear these more clearly in a small space.

Our cottages (as many of you know) are at the Cottages at Camp Creek. I think the architects/builders did a great job creating 3 bedroom (one which holds a king bed comfortably)/2 full bath cottages in 1100 or less square feet. They are easy to navigate, great for one-floor living, look good, are easy care, hurricane sturdy (though not like Alys Beach of course), big porches, and leave the owners a lot of room for personalizing them. The only thing I would do to them over time is add more creative storage (but not too much because the idea is to live simply), add some of that hurricane protection film to the windows if the association lets us do it -- the windows are protected up to 130-140 mph winds I believe already so I'm not sure it's needed (I'll have to confirm this with the builder). Owners can make the inside as fancy or simple as they'd like. For the long-term, we did buy two 1100 square foot side by side cottages so that the kids can use one when they visit with their families someday and be comfortable. And we like to go there with our extended family and friends sometimes so it's nice to spread out. But otherwise one 1100 cottage is more than enough to live in (and we'd continue to rent the other out except for when the kids are using it/them). It's especially big enough because it's warm most of the year so we really think of the porch and the outdoors (pool/beach) as where we live.

Frankly, if people are looking for smaller places along 30A, there are plenty from what I saw and still see, even new construction, if you really want to have a smaller place at the beach.

Thanks for the links John R. I needed them for some projects I am involved with.

Dwell magazine features a lot of smaller/creative spaces. Some are just too tiny or modern for me, but overall much more compact than the norm. They also feature environmentally friendly products.

If any of you are familiar with Rocio Romero, her residence is near St. Louis and open for tours. Anybody who'd like to see it, I'd be happy to plan the field trip!
http://www.rocioromero.com/

Chickpea, it sounds like you've gotten lots of good feedback from people.

and yes, I've put a lot of thought into downsizing and the style and size of whatever I build in Sowal at some point.

........and the first thing that comes to mind is it will just have to be
big enough to fit my Xmas tree and store my ornaments.

Thanks peapod! She even has a hurricane rated unit that is a nice alternative to a trailer and seems quite reasonably priced!

Storage is usually the deal breaker for folks trying to downsize, but there are many solutions. I love deep window seats w/ storage areas below, additional upper shelves in closets, drawers under beds, dropped ceilings over bathrooms that are storage lofts etc.

If any of you are familiar with Rocio Romero, her residence is near St. Louis and open for tours. Anybody who'd like to see it, I'd be happy to plan the field trip!

someday.

Thank you all for this excellent feedback (plus I needed a break from the political forum!). Many of you make some excellent points and it is great to see how many of you are willing to downsize and reap the benefits of living smaller. I actually loved reading your personal stories and knowing some of you it has been particularly interesting and enlightening.

I have one question though about something that I hear all the time and my simple brain cannot make it make sense - why do people who pay a lot for a large house always make the argument that they now have to build a large house to make their investment worth it?? What is wrong or fiscally irreponsible about putting a small or medium house on a large lot? It does not devalue one's property and surely the economics of building small and less make it a sounder financial decision.

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.

Hey RO,
How many people live in your house? Also do you work out of your house?
Thanks

Thanks peapod! She even has a hurricane rated unit that is a nice alternative to a trailer and seems quite reasonably priced!

Storage is usually the deal breaker for folks trying to downsize, but there are many solutions. I love deep window seats w/ storage areas below, additional upper shelves in closets, drawers under beds, dropped ceilings over bathrooms that are storage lofts etc.

All the ideas you state are great for clever storage. There are a million ways for being resourceful....

Chickpea:

I love the small house movement and I agree that the best known book about small houses is good, though the houses don't seem that small to me (anything over 1500 sq. ft. wouldn't be considered small to me, and 1200 - 1300 would do it for a family of 4-5; would be tight for more than that, though do-able for sure).

If I were considering designing/building small houses:

1) I'd read about how people live together (what they really need to be happy/organized/settled), what supports people living good lives (e.g., being able to connect, yet get some time apart; gathering spaces; storage; safety, spaces for guests, spaces for work-at-home), what young families and elderly really need for good lives. I remember once reading that one problem with really big houses is that no one needs to spend time together, especially with technology. Our house is an old house (close to 100 years old) that has a 1990's addition to add a garage for 2 cars and a family room. The main living spaces on two floors are probably around 1800 square feet, with a basement and attic that are usable. Anyway, what I like is that when I'm sitting in the recliner in the living room with my laptop doing my work (it's a good job), I can hear the kids upstairs -- I like to hear the sound of the girls practicing their dancing in their rooms (it's cute), I can hear them cough (but I can't hear them talking), and I can sometimes hear them laughing -- all sounds I like to hear. The kids don't have computers or TVs in their rooms because the family computer is in the family room and the family TV is in the family room.

2. I really like having porches/decks for outdoor living. Things that extend the space outdoors - in cooler climates, a porch that has windows that can be used much/all of the year as well.

3. I do wish we had a nice separate room for a guest room because we like guests, and I do like a house to have enough space for when the kids come back with their own families when they are adults. We want them to be able to be comfortable here during their stays.

4. Home work spaces are nice (though we just have our shared desk in the basement - I work in the recliner, the kids work at the dining room table)

5. Energy efficient and environmentally friendly, of course.

6. Room enough to entertain with a big table (which probably means shared dining room/living room space so the table can be made bigger or smaller as needed and an efficient kitchen for cooking/storing).

7. Clever storage options to make the most of the space: I'm already starting to get rid of lots of stuff for when the kids grow up and in case we move to a smaller house. If we don't move to a smaller house, then at least we won't be taking care of a lot of stuff we don't need.

8. Very quiet appliances (dishwasher/fridge/airconditioners, heaters/etc.) since you can hear these more clearly in a small space.

Our cottages (as many of you know) are at the Cottages at Camp Creek. I think the architects/builders did a great job creating 3 bedroom (one which holds a king bed comfortably)/2 full bath cottages in 1100 or less square feet. They are easy to navigate, great for one-floor living, look good, are easy care, hurricane sturdy (though not like Alys Beach of course), big porches, and leave the owners a lot of room for personalizing them. The only thing I would do to them over time is add more creative storage (but not too much because the idea is to live simply), add some of that hurricane protection film to the windows if the association lets us do it -- the windows are protected up to 130-140 mph winds I believe already so I'm not sure it's needed (I'll have to confirm this with the builder). Owners can make the inside as fancy or simple as they'd like. For the long-term, we did buy two 1100 square foot side by side cottages so that the kids can use one when they visit with their families someday and be comfortable. And we like to go there with our extended family and friends sometimes so it's nice to spread out. But otherwise one 1100 cottage is more than enough to live in (and we'd continue to rent the other out except for when the kids are using it/them). It's especially big enough because it's warm most of the year so we really think of the porch and the outdoors (pool/beach) as where we live.

Frankly, if people are looking for smaller places along 30A, there are plenty from what I saw and still see, even new construction, if you really want to have a smaller place at the beach.

Paula,
Beautifully stated, thoughtful, intelligent and evocative like so many of your posts!