Comments on: 12 Virtues of a Smaller Home http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/ Wise Choices. Improved Finances. A Better Life. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:29:52 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Barbara G Meyer http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-11055 Barbara G Meyer Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:55:29 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-11055 What is big enough for one is too big for another, but these days we tend to think (as Ron says) bigger is better and it isn't. I worked a rich party where I overheard one woman saying to another, "We have 6,000 square feet, we should be able to find space for everything." It wasn't a matter of space--she has that in plenty, I bet it was a matter of design. She didn't have places for what she wanted. Sarah Susanka's Not-So-Big House book has been a favorite of mine since it came out. I don't always like her alliance to St. Frank Lloyd Wright, but she talks of rethinking our houses in terms of what we need, not what we think we are supposed to have. So a person may actually NEED 6,000 square feet. More power to them. Others may need 2,400 square feet. Still others only 500. We find what we need by thinking of what we do first, and then designing our houses to fit our lives. Not some image we think we must adhere to. Yes, this is a Wright-ism: form follows function, I never said he was always wrong, but I want softer and more comfortable design. The big is bad in building (except in the profits for the builder) is something I have seen first hand: a woman had me over at a HUGE house she lived in. She put her friends in a cavernous ballroom sized living room and they looked lost. Swallowed up by the sheer size of the place. She was one older woman, she didn't need all that space and would never use it. The house was like a museum, and about as warm. Another place I saw in a magazine has SEVEN BATHROOMS in a rambling apartment--all on one floor. Seven. This is mad. But even I (who live alone) could use a second toilet, and if I buy a new house, I will probably get one. If I were building, I would probably NOT put in a dining room (I don't plan on having big formal dinner parties) but that great room (an open plan kitchen/family room) that others have spoke about. It is so much nicer for informal entertaining. Right now, I live in 900 sq foot condo and it is MORE than enough. Probably if I built my own, it would be 1200 square feet, maybe less. (I would want that "half bath" toilet and a laundry area.) The point is not to make it as big as you can, but as big as you need. If that is large, you will still be comfortable. If that is small, well, you still will be comfortable. What is big enough for one is too big for another, but these days we tend to think (as Ron says) bigger is better and it isn’t. I worked a rich party where I overheard one woman saying to another, “We have 6,000 square feet, we should be able to find space for everything.” It wasn’t a matter of space–she has that in plenty, I bet it was a matter of design. She didn’t have places for what she wanted.

Sarah Susanka’s Not-So-Big House book has been a favorite of mine since it came out. I don’t always like her alliance to St. Frank Lloyd Wright, but she talks of rethinking our houses in terms of what we need, not what we think we are supposed to have. So a person may actually NEED 6,000 square feet. More power to them. Others may need 2,400 square feet. Still others only 500. We find what we need by thinking of what we do first, and then designing our houses to fit our lives. Not some image we think we must adhere to.

Yes, this is a Wright-ism: form follows function, I never said he was always wrong, but I want softer and more comfortable design.

The big is bad in building (except in the profits for the builder) is something I have seen first hand: a woman had me over at a HUGE house she lived in. She put her friends in a cavernous ballroom sized living room and they looked lost. Swallowed up by the sheer size of the place. She was one older woman, she didn’t need all that space and would never use it. The house was like a museum, and about as warm.

Another place I saw in a magazine has SEVEN BATHROOMS in a rambling apartment–all on one floor. Seven. This is mad. But even I (who live alone) could use a second toilet, and if I buy a new house, I will probably get one. If I were building, I would probably NOT put in a dining room (I don’t plan on having big formal dinner parties) but that great room (an open plan kitchen/family room) that others have spoke about. It is so much nicer for informal entertaining. Right now, I live in 900 sq foot condo and it is MORE than enough. Probably if I built my own, it would be 1200 square feet, maybe less. (I would want that “half bath” toilet and a laundry area.)

The point is not to make it as big as you can, but as big as you need. If that is large, you will still be comfortable. If that is small, well, you still will be comfortable.

]]> By: Christine http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10479 Christine Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:33:51 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10479 I wish we had purchased a smaller house, but it is a bit ironic - all the smaller homes we were looking at cost $50-70,000 more! So we went with the smaller mortgage and larger house -- but it means higher electricity bills cooling it in the Houston never-ending summers. There are always trade-offs, but I wish we had a *home* instead of a house with so much extra space. I long for a comfy, cosy bungalow! I wish we had purchased a smaller house, but it is a bit ironic – all the smaller homes we were looking at cost $50-70,000 more! So we went with the smaller mortgage and larger house — but it means higher electricity bills cooling it in the Houston never-ending summers.

There are always trade-offs, but I wish we had a *home* instead of a house with so much extra space. I long for a comfy, cosy bungalow!

]]> By: BATERYA.COM » Blog Archive » 12 VIRTUES OF SAMALL HOUSE http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10463 BATERYA.COM » Blog Archive » 12 VIRTUES OF SAMALL HOUSE Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:45:06 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10463 [...] Whether you’re considering building a new home or buying and existing smaller home, there are some distinct advantages. A smaller home might just be the home of your dreams. Here are 12 virtues of a small house. [...] [...] Whether you’re considering building a new home or buying and existing smaller home, there are some distinct advantages. A smaller home might just be the home of your dreams. Here are 12 virtues of a small house. [...]

]]> By: Weekend Links, 7/18 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10395 Weekend Links, 7/18 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:56:48 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10395 [...] 12 Virtues of a Smaller Home, The Wisdom [...] [...] 12 Virtues of a Smaller Home, The Wisdom [...]

]]> By: klm http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10389 klm Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:31:00 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10389 I've noticed, amongst families I know with big houses, that they spend much of their time in the den/kitchen area. Whether it's called a Great Room, a Gathering Room, or a kitchen opening on to the den, it's those two rooms which the family spends the most time in. Close friends as well. The formal living and dining areas are saved for special occaisions. In other words, despite all the space and expense, they mostly use the space about the size of a small house. We thought about going larger, there are times when it would be nice. But those times are rare enough that renting a space for the party, or renting rooms for guests, is cheaper in the long run. (We have a guest room, but a good example was just last month when my daughter got married. My parents stayed with us. All of my siblings (+ spouses & kids) got a discount at a nearby hotel. Toward the end of the week, my bachelor brother was the only sib left, he slept on the sofa the last two nights of the visit.) The jointly rented two vehicles, add in the space in the 3 vehicles available to us and that was plenty of space the ONE time we ALL had to go somewhere and more than enough the rest of the week. (Our car standards are much the same. My self, my spouse and my daughter drive very small cars. In the rare event we need something bigger, we rent it, or pay for the item to be delivered. I know too many people who drive SUV's and justify it with once or twice yearly need.) I’ve noticed, amongst families I know with big houses, that they spend much of their time in the den/kitchen area. Whether it’s called a Great Room, a Gathering Room, or a kitchen opening on to the den, it’s those two rooms which the family spends the most time in. Close friends as well. The formal living and dining areas are saved for special occaisions.

In other words, despite all the space and expense, they mostly use the space about the size of a small house.

We thought about going larger, there are times when it would be nice. But those times are rare enough that renting a space for the party, or renting rooms for guests, is cheaper in the long run. (We have a guest room, but a good example was just last month when my daughter got married. My parents stayed with us. All of my siblings (+ spouses & kids) got a discount at a nearby hotel. Toward the end of the week, my bachelor brother was the only sib left, he slept on the sofa the last two nights of the visit.) The jointly rented two vehicles, add in the space in the 3 vehicles available to us and that was plenty of space the ONE time we ALL had to go somewhere and more than enough the rest of the week.

(Our car standards are much the same. My self, my spouse and my daughter drive very small cars. In the rare event we need something bigger, we rent it, or pay for the item to be delivered. I know too many people who drive SUV’s and justify it with once or twice yearly need.)

]]> By: lvlc @ From Mom To Mom http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10310 lvlc @ From Mom To Mom Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:35:05 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10310 Ok... I was trying to choose which of the list I liked most and I couldn't choose, because all of them are real!!! But one thing that always cross my mind is... who cleans all those huge gorgeous houses! That's the first thought for me not having a big house! ;P I will definitely keep this in mind when building our next house! :) Ok… I was trying to choose which of the list I liked most and I couldn’t choose, because all of them are real!!!
But one thing that always cross my mind is… who cleans all those huge gorgeous houses! That’s the first thought for me not having a big house! ;P

I will definitely keep this in mind when building our next house! :)

]]> By: Air Jordans http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10291 Air Jordans Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:07:23 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10291 Absolutely right that we think we need more room than we actually do need. I mean, how much square footage does a married couple need. Great pros to owning a "small" home but as someone mentioned, it really is a matter of perspective. Absolutely right that we think we need more room than we actually do need. I mean, how much square footage does a married couple need. Great pros to owning a “small” home but as someone mentioned, it really is a matter of perspective.

]]> By: Carla http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10287 Carla Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:42:16 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10287 I think we will continue to live in cities for as long as we can where homes tend to be "smaller" on average. An older 2 bedroom 1 bath or 3 bedroom 2 bath is the norm. We just need something big enough for the two of us. We both also work from home and need the space for that without killing each other and to have some sort of live/work separation. It definitely doesn't have to be 4000 sq ft and we are not "small space" type people. Thankfully we are not the type to buy anything to keep up with anyone. :) I think we will continue to live in cities for as long as we can where homes tend to be “smaller” on average. An older 2 bedroom 1 bath or 3 bedroom 2 bath is the norm. We just need something big enough for the two of us. We both also work from home and need the space for that without killing each other and to have some sort of live/work separation. It definitely doesn’t have to be 4000 sq ft and we are not “small space” type people. Thankfully we are not the type to buy anything to keep up with anyone. :)

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10285 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:15:13 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10285 We're still renters, and may possibly be renters for the rest of our lives unless we have a lot of cash to just buy a home out right (that's the option we're leaning towards now) Anyway. We had a 2000 square foot apartment, 1 bedroom.. and we've just recently moved to a 600 square foot apartment. I could not be happier with the space. It's compact, we don't have much furniture (just a table and 2 chairs, with 2 racks) and we sleep on a futon on the floor (always have, always will) It isn't only a question of money for us -- saving $300/month or $3600 a year is nice, but I actually feel better in a small space. I feel like every bit is being used to the utmost extent and we don't want for ANYTHING. Of course, this wasn't done over night. We're natural declutterers by nature, and can basically fit our lives into 3 suitcases and 2 carryons each, to move at a moment's notice, if need be :) What a wonderful post! We’re still renters, and may possibly be renters for the rest of our lives unless we have a lot of cash to just buy a home out right (that’s the option we’re leaning towards now)

Anyway. We had a 2000 square foot apartment, 1 bedroom.. and we’ve just recently moved to a 600 square foot apartment.

I could not be happier with the space. It’s compact, we don’t have much furniture (just a table and 2 chairs, with 2 racks) and we sleep on a futon on the floor (always have, always will)

It isn’t only a question of money for us — saving $300/month or $3600 a year is nice, but I actually feel better in a small space.

I feel like every bit is being used to the utmost extent and we don’t want for ANYTHING.

Of course, this wasn’t done over night. We’re natural declutterers by nature, and can basically fit our lives into 3 suitcases and 2 carryons each, to move at a moment’s notice, if need be :)

What a wonderful post!

]]> By: Admin http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/12-virtues-of-a-smaller-home/comment-page-1/#comment-10283 Admin Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:27:24 +0000 http://www.thewisdomjournal.com/Blog/?p=762#comment-10283 You know, small is how YOU define it. For me, small would be moving back to our 1,800 sq ft home (five in our family) but for someone else, small might be a 900 sq ft bungalow. I've had the opportunity to move into one of those gigantic homes, but we opted for a smaller mortgage! I'm glad we did. I guess the point I was trying to make is that if you don't regularly use major portions of your home, and you have the opportunity to move to a smaller one, might as well take it! Or if you're sitting on the fence about moving into a McMansion to keep up with your brother in law, you might want to re-think that one. You know, small is how YOU define it. For me, small would be moving back to our 1,800 sq ft home (five in our family) but for someone else, small might be a 900 sq ft bungalow. I’ve had the opportunity to move into one of those gigantic homes, but we opted for a smaller mortgage! I’m glad we did.

I guess the point I was trying to make is that if you don’t regularly use major portions of your home, and you have the opportunity to move to a smaller one, might as well take it! Or if you’re sitting on the fence about moving into a McMansion to keep up with your brother in law, you might want to re-think that one.

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