Small Homes: How Low Can You Go?
27 Mar 2011
“Wow, this house is small.” That is what a cute little six-year friend of my son’s once innocently blurted out during play date. Let me set the record straight – by no measurable means is my home small. According to Mother Earth News, the average American home is 2,343 square feet – more than double what the average was in 1950. All things considered, that girl was correct because my average house and detached studio was a lot smaller than her family’s whopper-sized McMansion.
Erecting an average home results in roughly 8,000 pounds of construction waste, and yearly 136,000,000 tons of construction and demolition waste that ends up in…you guessed it – the landfill. Bigger is not better.
I’ve been following the tiny house movement, and while these homes are energy-efficient and economical, what they lack in size, they often lack in style too. We all have our unique requirements for home sweet home. Could I be happy in a smaller home? Sure, a smallish, stylish and slowish home like one of the houses in Small ECO Houses, Living Green in Style, by Cristina Paredes Benitz and Alex Sanchez Vidiella would be dreamy.
I just reviewed this fresh new book. The houses profiled are the perfect mix of eco and style. Small ECO Homes challenges the reader to recognize how good design can transform a small space into a comfortable, modern home. And even more importantly, the inspirational planet-loving solutions create incredibly beautiful results. Read the full review HERE.
How small could you go?
Juliet
Mar 28, 2011 @ 07:22:33
Personally…..although I always seem to want more space….I love the feel of you “little” home.
Ronnie
Mar 29, 2011 @ 07:24:48
Thanks, Juliet. Yes, space is a premium, but more space – more to clean too!
Lynn
Mar 29, 2011 @ 13:41:05
I could do this living by myself. But if I had another person that I had to share this with other then my 2 cats and 1 dog……I would bonkers.
amy
Mar 30, 2011 @ 19:21:59
I will have to check out this book – we currently live in a house of about 1500 sq ft – but my studio is in a separate space. We are planning ahead for our next house and want to go smaller so this book might be a great resource of ideas! thanks!
Billiam
Mar 30, 2011 @ 20:35:19
Just discovered your website. My screen is green. Question: Is that a photo of your house or a representative small house?
Ronnie
Mar 31, 2011 @ 07:44:23
The image above is from the book, Small ECO Houses.
Billiam
Mar 31, 2011 @ 21:14:35
If you want to get close with your house, your tiny, tiny house – you may want to check out the charming houses at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/
You can even go mobile with one.
And for larger families or dysfunctional ones – maybe have several of these.
Ronnie
Apr 01, 2011 @ 11:04:22
Billiam, do you work for Tumbleweed Houses? If so, could you please send me info. I’ve been contacted by a TV news show about small homes and I’m rounding up info to send off to them. Thanks!