Small Houses

Do you always look for small houses wherever you go?  If so, you'll love this website.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the United States was 2,330 square feet in 2004, up from 1,400 square feet in 1970.

Small Houses and Children

For the most part, children want to be with their families. They like to be close. If you had a younger sibling I'm sure you remember him or her always wanting to be by your side. Or maybe you can remember always wanting to be like your older brother, sister, mother or father.

The point that I'm trying to make is that what really matters is not the house, but the relationships in it. Young kids are cool with just about any amount of space as long as they have some space and privacy of their own.

I've read books where parents have converted large closets and lofts into miniature bedrooms for their small children. And the kids seemed to love it.

When it comes down to it people actually enjoy spaces that they feel they can easily manage. It's subconsciously less overwhelming and let's them focus on the more enjoyable things in life--like family, friends and careers.

A lot of people say this but every time I stay in a hotel I think to myself, "I wish I could just live in a place like this." But it seems difficult to find an apartment, studio or house smaller than 500 square feet. Five hundred square feet is comfortable though--especially for two.

Cleaning and Maintaining

This is one of my favorite reasons why little houses attract me. I like to keep my place clean but I don't like cleaning. So by having just as much space as I need, I really help myself out a lot.

When I went from 1200 to 500 square feet of living space, it was great because I could clean up the entire place in minutes.

And with a house there's also the exterior that you have to worry about. So again, the smaller the easier to keep up with it and the less you worry.

As a result, this means more time for whatever you love. Be it family, friends, hobbies, children or all of the above.

Houses Are Designed For Profit

That's right... I believe that houses as we know them right now are designed with profit in mind. And if you look at the majority of the companies we buy from in the United States, their business plans will tell you this. What's most important? Profit.

I think we've been lead to believe that bigger is better. It's up to you as an individual to grow out of this and do what's really best for your life. If you're here I'm sure

So bigger houses are always more profitable for companies, not for you. They use more fuel, require more materials, appliances, maintenance, etc.

In the U.S. we have had the highest standard of living for a long time. Do you think we've gone too far? Are people happy?

The Purpose of a Home

A house's purpose is to provide a safe shelter and to protect us from the elements. But now it's more of a status symbol than just a home. For most of us our houses have gone way beyond our needs.

So let's not look for people and organizations to blame, let's start looking and acting towards the solutions.

Below is more info on small houses. I'll see you on another page...

To read more about small houses, check out my other pages below...

The pages without links are coming soon.

Birdhouse Cabins
839 square foot modern rectangular cabins in nature. How'd you like to live in one of these?

500 sq ft Minto by SmallWorks
This 2-story loft style home by SmallWorks studios is awesome for living simply in a not-so-tiny space. And you get a garage, too!

Courtyard House
This unique small space would be considered tiny to many. What once used to be a storefront is now a unique humble home with lots of charm.

500-Square-Foot Loft House
SmallWorks Studios Westcoast Loft design built by young couple in their parents backyard.

Tiny Guest Houses
Pictures of some really small guest houses I've found the last few years.

Very Small
Very small houses at 500 square feet or less.

Designs
Information and resources for different small house designs, floor plans, building plans and furniture.

Construction
Some useful information, resources and links to help give you an idea of what kinds of small houses you can build.

Society
Information, pictures, news and events regarding the small house movement.

Kits and Prefab
Small prefab house builders and small house kits. Information, links, pictures and resources.

House in the Woods
Pictures, information, and other interesting links. Rustic cabins, backyard retreats, offices, and more.

Pictures of Small Houses
I took a day to bicycle all over the downtown area in Naples and took pictures of all the little houses I found.

Small Space Solutions
Ideas on solutions for your small space. How much stuff you'll need to get rid of. How others and we have made it work.