The advantages of living in small houses

Recent financial difficulties have forced everyone to make difficult decisions when it comes to the family budget. Many people are cutting back on everything in their lives, from the cars they drive to the houses they live in. For some, the move to tiny houses is about saving money, but for others, the opportunity to live a simpler life is equally a huge draw.

The average size of a small home is between 100 square feet and 400 square feet. By comparison, the median size of new homes built in the United States in 2013 was approximately 2,600 square feet. A compact living space appeals to people of all ages, including college graduates, honeymooners, and retirees.

One of the most obvious advantages of such a small house is that the owner does not need a large plot of land. The house is portable enough to move almost anywhere. Manufacturing costs are low because builders don’t need as much material and it takes fewer hours to assemble. That translates to a significantly lower price that makes it affordable for more consumers. Tiny home owners don’t have to worry about signing a 30-year mortgage just to have a roof over their heads.

Savings continue long after moving into this type of home. They are much less expensive to heat and cool than a house that covers a couple thousand square feet. Miniaturized appliances cost less to buy and require fewer resources to run.

New construction traditionally puts pressure on the Earth’s natural resources. Moving into a small house is especially attractive to those who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Due to their size, many of these homes are built with recycled materials. Once built, they are energy efficient and produce less waste.

Small house designs make the most of the available space. Hidden storage closets and cubicles take advantage of areas that are normally wasted. Without additional space, occupants are less inclined to accumulate possessions they don’t really need. Without the clutter, rooms look and feel larger than they actually are. Reducing the purchase of impulse items means less waste, less money spent, and more money saved.

Many people find that they lead a better quality of life after they have eliminated unnecessary possessions. They lose the desire to buy status items just to keep up with their peers. They feel less stressed and receive more happiness from the little things in life that are most important in the grand scheme of things.

A smaller house means less time spent on maintenance and cleaning. Instead of taking hours to dust, vacuum, and wash windows, it only takes a few minutes to clean the entire house from top to bottom. This means spending more time with family and enjoying life.

Despite all the benefits, living this type of lifestyle is not for everyone. Before committing to living in a tiny home, people should weigh their options and consider the downsides of downsizing to a few hundred square feet of living space. Probably one of the biggest problems is deciding which possessions to keep and which to sell, donate, or dispose of. As difficult as it is, many people find this process liberating once they get it done.

Living in smaller neighborhoods requires a high level of organization. A little clutter goes a long way in a small space. Someone who cannot stay organized will quickly become overwhelmed. The house will look more like a storage closet and lose all its appeal.

Someone who loves entertaining guests at home will have a hard time following this lifestyle. Accommodating additional people indoors will be challenging, if not impossible. Depending on the weather and time of year, owners may consider entertaining guests outdoors. Creative use of outdoor space is an effective way to increase the amount of usable space available. A porch or deck provides a comfortable spot for barbecuing, dining, or just kicking back and relaxing when the weather permits.

The reasons people choose to move into smaller homes are personal, but many are looking for a simple life and a way to escape life from one salary to another. The satisfaction of being self-sufficient is another thing people get when they downsize their living space. Moving into a small home can be the ideal solution for someone who wants to achieve financial freedom while living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

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