Today I want to talk about size of residence.
How much space do you really need?
The average American house size has more than doubled since the 1950s; it now stands at 2,349 square feet. Whether it's a McMansion or a bigger, cheaper house in the exurbs, the move toward ever large homes has been accelerating for years. Unfortunately so has the population- of the earth!
Are there spaces in your home that never get used? Places just for "show" or because your house is supposed to have a family room, great room, game room, whatever the case may be?
I would like to propose a different viewpoint. That part of your home you aren't using is costing you energy to heat, cool, pow
er, and clean, not to mention furnish.So much less space is actually required for us to function. I, for one, am a big fan of multi-purpose spaces. Your "living room" can easily be an office, den, bar, guest bedroom, and center of the home.
Kitchens? Lets just say I'm not much of a cook. There are a few things I can make but I have realized that there are many other people out there, just like me, who are running a full size old fridge to house 1 pitcher of tea, mustard, and one empty ice tray in the freezer. Appliances and kitchens for people that barely use them can be very small.
There are even more appliances available to furnish homes like these, and power them for a lot less!
It is the smallest priority for me personally in a home. I see a lot of space that could be used for
other things.
Need a huge bedroom?
Why? As long as you have sufficient storage space, you really need a space for your bed and a few comforts. Face it, your bedroom is
for the BED. Why not create spaces that you really love elsewhere in the home, or outside of the home, for that matter to enjoy and relax in? Remember the family on Little House and the Prairie? The kids slept in a loft above the main rooms. It worked fine for them and many other families as well. I really love this idea for a kid's room.There is an entire movement of people who believe in living in smaller homes, and sustainable movements as well. I hope to help merge the two.
www.tinyhouseblog.com
www.thistinyhouse.com
www.greenandsustainablehomes.org
Living in this way- I hope to show that a community center, that houses many of the not often used elements of the home, will reduce the size and footprint of each individual home and create a sense of community.
Questions? Comments?
