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Design Dilemma
ams1976

I Love Small Homes!!

13 years ago
Ok. I am a fan of small, really nice homes! Who else is and why so? Please share! If you're not a fan of small homes, feel free to leave a comment and get in on the discussion too.
Featured Answer
  • 13 years ago
    Again, I have truly enjoyed reading every ones comments! Well, I found out 7 years ago how much I love small homes and that a smaller home is more me than anything. I use to think I was crazy, but I don't now. I actually think I'm blessed to be in that mind set. Well, 17 years ago, when my husband and I first married we lived with my mom and dad in order to build our first home. 5 bedroom, 3 bath home. We lived there for 10 years (had 2 children and made lots of memories) and decided to sell and make a profit. Which that part I do not regret, as it has truly blessed me now, as you'll see. We saw many homes as we were shopping in the next city over to make the move. One house caught my eye. I didn't know why at the time, except that I thought it was cute on the outside. I asked my husband if we could see it. So we did. It was a 3 bed, 1 bath, 1000 sq ft home. As soon as I walked in I felt at home, loved it, and wanted it! Husband was unsure and didn't know how we would make it work with 2 growing children. But, he liked the money saving part, so we bought it! Our friends and family felt sorry for us. We would get comments like, "sorry, we know the transition must me difficult, what happened?" When I explained that's what we wanted, some acted as if they didn't believe us. Well, we lived there for 2 years. I loved it, my husband didn't. He found us a bigger home (2,000 sq ft., 4 bed 2 bath). So, I reluctantly agreed to move. My husband decided to make the small home a rental home. Which I am so thankful now. While we lived in the bigger home for 5 years, our marriage fell apart. We were a good Christian family and I am still in disbelief. My husband changed, treated me badly, and had multiple affairs. Well, the Lord had my back all along. He kept that small home just for me!! (As I am getting it when the divorce is final!) My children are 14 and 17. My older one will be going to college next year, so it will eventually just be my son and I there. Perfect for us, and within walking distance from his school! On December 1st, the small home I fell in love with will officially be mine! When the divorce is final, I will have plenty of money to make that little home my DREAM home! I've been through so, so much, but I'm getting better, and the Lord as TRULY Blessed me. Btw, the last several Christmases have been ruined because of my (ex) husband's behavior. Now, this will be the BEST Christmas ever. God is giving me the best gift ever... The gift of my small home back and fully remodeled! Pictures to come later on next month. God bless!

    Comments (30)

    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I live in a small home and I prefer it to a larger house. Smaller homes are much easier to maintain and use less energy. If you remodel a smaller, you are remodeling smaller areas which translates into using fewer resources, and in the end, is less costly. A more compact home also leaves more open space around it.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      It depends on how many people live in the household.

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    • 13 years ago
      In retirement I went from a 5 br/3bath to a 2 br/1bath.. for most of the year. The little house we can easily drain and go south. Don't miss the big house at all.
    • 13 years ago
      I agree with you. We bought a little shoebox house in Montréal last year and we love it. With 2 young kids and full time jobs, we don't have time for the maintenance of a mansion. We had a blast remodeling it!
    • 13 years ago
      I am reminded of a 1200 sq.ft. cottage we built years ago. I thought out every square inch of that cottage before the foundation was ever laid. No wasted space within its four walls. It "lived" bigger than houses we have lived in that had more than twice its square footage. I MISS THAT HOUSE! I have often thought of building it again if and when we downsize and retire.
    • 13 years ago
      We kind of enlarged the house from the inside and people are really surprised when they enter. The house looks small from the outside but when we get in, it feels like we are in another house or as if parts of the house were invisible from the outside. Just removing some closets and replacing them by PAX wardrobes on the opposite wall or built in bookshelves in the dining room, opening the basement staircase and the wall between the kitchen and the dining room did magic in the look and feel of the house.
    • 13 years ago
      I have enjoyed reading these comments! Thank you for sharing! I'll share my own comment in the morning.
    • 13 years ago
      We have always lived in small houses. When the children were young, a 1100 sq.ft. 2 1/2bedroom, 1 bath. Now we are retired and bought our final resting place. It is, ironically, the largest of our past five homes at 1400 sq.ft.(but 3 rooms: combo living, dining, kitchen plus 2 bedrooms, 2 baths ). Love living small and not having room for a lot of stuff...our three children now have small homes of their own. It's a mindset.
    • 13 years ago
      Small homes are appealing because they are clever. They amuse us with their tricks and turns, like the way storage exists where not expected. And they comfort with their affordability and easier maintenance. People think of assets as separate from liabilities. I always try to tell pack rat aka spouse that every time you own a "thing" you acquire a liability -- the obligation to honour that thing by caring for it properly. So, a smaller house is a smaller asset but also a smaller burden--easier to care for.
    • 13 years ago
      Yes,like our small house. Hankered for an extra bathroom when teen son still lived at home. Is cheaper to decorate and maintain. Get involved with community groups in large spaces to avoid that shut in all day feeling.
    • 13 years ago
      Our house is 100 years old and it has always been in the family. My husband and I have lots of living space. We have a big covered porch plus a patio with a fire pit. We add some improvements to our home and landscaping every year. We have downsized to fit our needs. We have two hide-a-beds for grandchildren sleepovers and they have the run of the place!
    • 13 years ago
      And I thought I was the only one! Hum! We also have a little house and I love it, everybody says "I feel good in your house"
      well decorated, cozy, warm! Whenever I visit a big house I don't feel good in it, I find no warmth, I'm lost in a big house, can't find my comfort. I always thought I was crazy!!!
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      We do plenty of work in small homes. Just because a home is small does not imply that its interior design is less interesting or not as well done.
    • 13 years ago
      My husband and I always say, "If you have lots of space, you find lots of stuff to put in it." That's not a good thing. We find we need less and less and are always trying to simplify. I make frequent trips to donate unused items even if I only have a few things. Never let them sit around too long. We've had to do that to keep our smaller home from getting cluttered.
      We've reworked our floor plan-changed rooms around to optimize square footage. There are no "show" rooms... We use every inch, but love it.
    • 13 years ago
      We are pack rats. If we are liking a new piece of furniture, then something must go...usually donated to goodwill. But, i'm still a hoarder, especially collecting books, magazines, electrical and electronic components. The little space we have, i'm trying to redesign so space is fully utilize. Storage solutions anybody? Lazy susans?
    • 13 years ago
      last modified: 13 years ago
      Our first house was an 1800 sq ft ranch new biuld with the formal living and dining rooms big open kitchen and family room. I hated cleaning it cuz the formal rooms never got used and just collected dust and stuff we didn't know where to put. Now I have a smaller 1600 sq ft ranch from the 50's and love the layout. The rooms are all separate, with a livingroom and an eat in kitchen. You can't see the dirty dishes when you are trying to watch a movie after dinner! I love it, it's all we need.

      I know the feeling of people thinking you crazy for buying that house. Our old house was in a big new subdivision with big 3-400k homes and I never felt like I fit in. I felt like I was trying to keep up with the Jones'. This house was 72k. In an older established, "working man's" neighborhood. I know people were wondering why such the huge change. But I love my little house and my 500 mth mortgage. We have a much better quality of life now.

      Also, go read the story of Joseph in the Bible, he was given hardship after hardship, but with each one, God's blessing was even bigger, leading him right to where he promised. Sometimes we don't know where we are being led, especially in tough times, but if you keep the faith, he will show you the blessing on the other side. May God bless you in your new small home, where life can be peaceful and full of joy.
    • 13 years ago
      Thank you so much and for sharing mrsclark!
    • 13 years ago
      This is how I live in a small house. Highboy dessers, cupboards that go to the ceiling. Everything has a function and beauty is in those items, no nic nacs allowed. My family photos are in a nice album on my coffee table. Only a smal amount of art on walls from my travel. My house looks less cluttered than most of the large house I see. I found I really only live in 4 rooms including the bathroom and a small house is very easy to maintain.
    • 13 years ago
      The less nic nacs and clutter the better!
    • 13 years ago
      I love and prefer smaller homes. I don't understand why people think they need so much space. I look at huge homes and just think it's ridiculous. I associate such grandiosity with selfishness and a sense of entitlement. I loved bigger homes when I was younger. When I divorced, I lost my big house. I was over it after spending the first night in my smaller, much cozier townhouse. I learned that less is more!
    • 13 years ago
      Ams1976, don't less your ex ruin another Christmas!
    • 13 years ago
      I too think that having a huge home is a bit selfish when you just don't need it. If I have that kind of money, I'd rather build another small home for someone who really needs it.
    • 13 years ago
      He won't, he's outta my life for good! This will be the best holiday season ever :-)
    • 13 years ago
      You know, it's funny.. This bigger home I'm in now doesn't have a coat closet or linen closet, but the small home I'm going to does! Figure that one out.
    • 13 years ago
      We live in a 1200 sq ft home. (250 are downstairs & mainly storage) There are 6 of us and the kids are getting bigger. Our boys bedroom is only 9x9. While I have enjoyed a smaller home for the past 8 yrs. we really would like something bigger. AND most if all another bathroom! One tub/shower is a huge pain in the mornings. Once the kids grow & leave I'd prefer to move back to a smaller house though.
    • 13 years ago
      I can completely understand wanting a larger home for your family of 6!
    • 13 years ago
      I like being close to my family in our current 1200 sqft home, but I like "a place for everything and everything in its place" and I just can't seem to get in everything I want/need in under 2,000sqft! Im designing a floor plan for our next home. Only 3 beds/2.5 baths but we want a library, a small (and I mean 8x9) sitting room by the front door to have an adult area separate from the family/play room, the kitchen/dining is the same room and the schoolroom/computer area is in the same room as well, and then- luxury of luxuries! I do want a LARGE mud/laundry room! I want space to store coats and boots and off-season clothing, the washing machine, laundry tub, and folding area separate from the mud, a commode in a little WC to keep muddy boys from trekking through the house, and a short shower to spray mud off dogs and boys- everything tiled and with a drain in the middle of the room. I KNOW that is a luxurious laundry room and it adds about 200 sqft! But I don't know what to cut out >_< And yes- we need a library haha. My BA is in English and hubs and I are both book lovers/collectors :) The MB is larger than I'd like just for the aesthetics of the exterior :/ but the kids rooms are only 8x10. Quite the dilemma ;) But I'm having fun designing it!
    • 13 years ago
      I guess each to there own. I can only speak for myself as I am newly single and soon to have only 1 child at home. I don't want to be responsible for more than I have to and certainly am in the mindset to cut corners and save. And I do love smaller homes. It makes the family have to be close and work together in some ways to make do with what you have.
    • 4 years ago

      I know this thread is 8 years old, but ams1976 your story brought tears to my eyes. I had a similar story. Started in a small home. The husband and I upgraded to a larger home. Shortly after, our marriage fell apart in the same way (exactly 5 years). He just discarded me and the life we built like we were garbage. I was heartbroken to break apart my family and lose my home. I could not afford to keep it. 6 years later, I am sitting in my small house, which I purchased a year ago. I was sitting here thinking about how far I have come and how I Iove my small home. That is how I found your thread. I hope you are doing well.

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