Is bigger really better? When it comes to our homes, most Americans think so.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports median home sizes have increased by more than 1,000 square feet since the 1970s. That’s despite fewer people living in these homes.
So my family and many in my neighborhood are an anomaly. We’re five people living in a modest but comfortable three-bedroom, two-bath townhouse. We’re more than OK with it. Oddly enough, people who don’t live near us in our midsized Virginia town aren’t, and they have no problem expressing it.
When I was pregnant with my second child, someone asked what we were going to do about our house, as if having two kids in a three-bedroom home is a crisis. Most times I see my mother-in-law, she talks about how much better a bigger house would be. Some people can’t understand how we could be happy without rooms to spare.
I’m going to count the ways life in a little house is actually quite grand.
So let me count the ways life in a little house is actually quite grand.
Less to Clean
A smaller space means less dusting and vacuuming. It’s a no brainer.
Related: The Home Cleaning Wars
“Though I sometimes dream about having an actual laundry room, our house is the perfect size for us,” said Mandy Vlasz, a mother of two young boys. “Since my husband and I both work full time, I cannot imagine how we would care for a house any bigger. Before we moved in, we rented an apartment with three bathrooms. We used one of them for storage. I don’t have time for that many toilets in my life.”
Cheaper Utilities
Less space equals less energy needed for lighting, heating, and cooling the house. A friend of mine with a massive house shuts much of it down unless someone is visiting because his utilities bills will exceed $500 a month if he doesn’t.
“Before we moved into our house, we rented an apartment with three bathrooms. We used one of them for storage. I don’t have time for that many toilets in my life.”
Better Houseguest Management
There are few people I like enough to want them around for more than a long weekend. A small house is a deterrent for guests who want to linger. Uncomfortable conversation is avoided.
We Know Our Neighbors
Before kids, I had little interest in getting to know my neighbors. Now they are my lifelines. Our children know each other. When something goes wrong, one neighbor is there with a drink, the other with a bowl of chili. We pet sit. We bum rides. We sit on our stoops and talk.
Related: Managing When Mom’s Away
Small-house inhabitant and mother of two Kati Deschler said, “Gossiping with and about the neighbors would be difficult if you had to set up play dates because you have to drive from one ginormous house to the next.”
Shorter Commutes
This isn’t the case for everyone in smaller homes, of course. But many people downsize to be closer to their workplace. For our family, it’s that and a disdain for suburbia. Hell has no fury like me at a strip mall.
Less Stuff
The more rooms you have, the more furniture, pillows, decorations, and knick knacks you tend to have. When you have a small home, you have no choice but to keep out clutter. You prioritize and understand what the necessities are.
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Special Memories
When you don’t have a lot of space to hold birthday parties or holiday dinners, you have to think outside the box.
For some, like Deschler, it’s “an excuse to never host Thanksgiving dinner for the entire family.” But it can also lead to special memories. One family I know rented a tent, tables, and heat lamps to have a large formal dinner in their backyard. For us, we love having family over for a buffet of fancy finger foods on Christmas Eve. Friends have joined us for fondue to ring in the New Year.
Enjoying the Neighborhood
Sometimes living in a smaller house in a great neighborhood is worth sacrificing space. Realtor Jennifer Walker said she’s had some clients regret leaving a neighborhood.
“When folks move away, they have to drive everywhere. They can’t just walk down to the corner and grab a coffee or go to story time with their children. They need to put them in the car to go anywhere. It gives them a sense of isolation.”
Less Lawn Maintenance
A small house usually means a tiny-to-nonexistent yard. When the weekend rolls around, instead of cracking a beer when you pull out the lawnmower — just have the beer.
More Community Participation
“We don’t have a big yard for our dog to run around, but we have a great little park down the street where we can take him in the evenings and chat with neighbors there,” said Darcey Arnold, a mother of three.
Related: A Shelter Dog No More
What do you think makes New York so magical? People are out, participating in their community.When you’re in a small place, you feel the need to leave sometimes. And getting out and experiencing the world is a good thing.
Better Family Bonding
“I like three kids in a smaller house. It feels cozy to be close to them, and I think that in the end my relationships will be stronger for it,” said mother Becky Anderson. “By not having many things … we really get to prioritize what is most important to us. … We are learning to value the intangible things of life.”
If this list doesn’t convince you that smaller can be just as good, listen to the real estate professional.
“Moving is stressful and expensive,” Walker said. “Sometimes it’s better to just declutter, purge, and stay where you are.”
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