Friday, January 6, 2012

Small Home Living Series



The Question:

What is the average home size in the U.S.?

The Answer:

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average home size in the United States was 2,700 square feet in 2009, up from 1,400 square feet in 1970.
—The Editors

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I am starting a new blog series focused on small home/space living. It's not just for apartments, which we usually equate with living in a small space. The apartments I've seen have often been more spacious and space efficient than homes. This is intentional living in a small home WITH a family. Not two people to a 1000 sq. ft but SIX people to a home not much larger.

We are a six person family living in a 1041 sq. ft. home. We do have an unattached garage and a back yard, which in suburbia, is considered fairly 'roomy' as far as back yards and corner lots go.

The home we live in was built in 1955. Our bedrooms are small, not much space for more than a bed and modest dresser. The closets are not wall closets but the type that have narrow doors and a little space to the right and left on each side. Our living room/dining area is long and our kitchen is narrow. There are challenges and I hope to address those via this series.

Many would consider our home way to small for the amount of people in it, even though we have three bedrooms. Sometimes I do feel a bit cramped in the kitchen. Over all, though I love our home sweet home. I love that my children are always within hearing distance. I love that we usually congregate in rooms together. I think that may be what I appreciate most about small home living, the physical time we spend together. Rarely are any of us in another room alone. We actually like to be together, even if we are watching a movie or online.

The close physical proximity is one of the most beneficial reasons for intentional small home living.  Many claim there is less to clean. I don't know--cause I feel like I am always cleaning. I'll save that for one of the "challenges" posts. haha.

Here's a very interesting article written in 2006, about the rise of the personal McMansion. My how times (mainly the economy) have changed in the past five years! Many families are striving for a simpler lifestyle and intentionally downsizing.

Here is my small bedroom taken from the entry door...the door is to the laundry/dogs room.  That shelf is gone now and the room will soon have new/fresh wall decor. I'm in the process of purging. (a constant of small home living)


It's a little bare for my taste BUT it has a very peaceful feel to it. It is relaxing to be in there and it truly feels like a sanctuary. I think it just needs a little cozying up is all. :-) More furniture is not an option. What you can't see, just to the bottom left of the photo--is the closet. It's *right* there! More furniture in such a small space would just feel crowded.

Stay tuned....
for inspirations, tips & tricks, and over coming the obstacles of small home living!


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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:55 PM

    KT, I was reading your post and my daughter asked once she saw your bedroom, "Mommy can I have that bedroom?" Just made me laugh. THought you mike like the smile. She is my "pink" girl. :)

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  2. Anonymous7:13 PM

    I'm really surprised the average home size is 2700 sq feet. I would have thought it would be at least a bit smaller.

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  3. I think it’s a lot easier to make a small space look cozy … can’t wait for your ideas!

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  4. I am so excited to see more of your home. We live in a 1400 sq foot house, which many would think is small.but I.love it!! I love the challenge of decorating and organizing. Love this post;)

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  5. I have a small bedroom myself! But it is my peaceful place! Happy to stumble upon your lovely blog via Debbiedoos! Following now! Would love to see you around at my place too!
    Love, Olga
    www.stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com

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  6. Hi KT, Im your newest follower - I found you on Debbiedoos newbie party. We also live in a tiny house - 2 bedrooms for 5 of us. Crazy small but we are stronger for it. I would love it if you popped over for a visit and followed me too. Take care Nat

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  7. Bigger does not always mean better. There are days I miss my tiny apartment and all the coziness we had there. Your bedroom is very lovely. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Can't wait to read more of what you have to say on this topic. Our home is relatively small, too, especially compared to average.

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  9. I have a 1400 footer too. Though I swear that is including the stairs and garage because I feel cramped at times. I think it is so important to think about when you are buying things, will I use this and where will I put it when you have a small house. Also, if you have any ideas about kids bedrooms, that would be interesting. We are thinking about having our second child and I am already thinking how to arrange that small bedroom with a toddler and new baby. Thanks!

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  10. Love this post, our home is about 1400 feet. I gravitate to blogs who have smaller homes, I feel a kinship with them. Don't take this wrong but sometimes I get so tired of blogs with such huge homes, I so can't relate to them. Looking forward to your future posts. Thanks for sharing your inspiration at Sunday's Best!

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  11. Hi there- I'll become a Follower because I like the idea of deco ideas for small spaces!

    Spotting this from a post at Blissful & Domestic linky party (I think it was last week)

    Smiles, Suzanne at WhyCuzICan

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  12. Newest Follower cuz I love the idea of SMALLER spaces and seeing how folks come up with great ideas.

    Visiting from Blissful & Domestic linky party

    Smiles, Suzanne at WhyCuzICan

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  13. Awesome! I'm so excited to read more! We just moved into 1300 sq ft with a family of 8. We do have 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and our kids are all very small right now. We moved here calling this our "five year house" while we pay off student loans & such... But this is giving me hope that we could stay here a lot longer. :) I definitely love the yard, neighborhood, and location... And those are the few things we wouldn't be able to change staying here.

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