Downsizing according to Barbara Corcoran, Real Estate commentator for the Today Show, is the latest trend in home ownership. For a family of four (4), 2000 sq ft has become the new standard - a reduction of nearly 300 sq ft from just a year ago.
It has taken a while for this idea to catch on. Sarah Susanka, author and architect, has written about the virtues of the smaller home for nearly 10 years. Her book “The Not So Big House” is filled with highly personalized interior spaces, often decorative and multipurpose as well. These homes, which reject the idea that “Bigger is Better”, tend to be more vibrant and tasteful than their typical MacMansion counter parts. With smaller mortgages, taxes and utility bills, these homeowners can devote more time and resources to family relationships and perhaps spend fewer hours on the job. Although other concerns such as the recession and climate change may be influencing this trend, for many it is the quality of life that matters most.
Below are some major factors affecting the movment toward the “Not So Big House”.
- Open Floor Plan: The Kitchen, Dining and Living area should all be open to one another. The idea of connectivity among people is an important aspect of community.
- More Windows: A room with a view and connection to the outside world is essential for a pleasantinterior environment.
- Higher Ceilings: Nine (9) feet is becoming the norm. The extra headroom reduces the feeling of being enclosed.
- More Exterior Space: Patios, Terraces and Covered Porches create a greater sense of spaciousness.
- Flexible Rooms: Every room should have three (3) purposes. The Great Room is a good example of a multipurpose area - a space for family, for gathering of friends or entertainment.
- Stuff – What to Do with It: Provide clever storage in every nook, cranny and closet. For the other 50% that won’t fit, get rid of it.
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