Think bigger is better? Well, I hate to tell you, but you’re doing it wrong. My firm specializes in additions and renovation projects. So, when working with my Austin interior design clients, one of the first things I’m often asked is, “How big should my house be?” Probably not so big, actually. When it comes to the ideal home size, less is more. I encourage you to get away from the idea of maximizing your square footage and instead think about investing in better living spaces, using better materials and more purposeful designs. 

Sarah Susanka’s The Not So Big House

I recently revisited Sarah Susanka’s book, The Not So Big House. She’s an architect and writer with a focus on quality over quantity. I feel connected to her being in the interior design field and also thinking of myself as somewhat of a writer as well. While her book is almost 25 years old now, the questions she asks us to consider on how we live and what should go into a home are more relevant than ever. 

She was well ahead of the “tiny house” movement, and I am by no means suggesting that you condense your entire life into 300 square feet unless that happens to be the right size space for you. Not so big doesn’t necessarily mean small. Instead, the message here is to intentionally think about what we really need from our homes to be comfortable. And I can tell you, more space is not always the answer. 

 

Not So Big Design Principles

Susanka brings up some “not so big” design principles that actually have a pretty big impact on how we live. 

Building What We Need

Building a larger home will not make you happier. In fact, it will probably only make you more stressed. When we take time to assess our needs and the elements of our space that bring us joy, we are able to build authentically. Our homes are for us and our daily lives. They’re not for impressing the neighbors or achieving a symbolic status level based on square footage. 

Purpose Over Presentation

Purpose over presentation is a small shift in design thinking that drastically cuts down the presumed square footage needs. We’re not designing a home to “keep up with the Joneses.” We’re designing for us and our daily lives, not the make-believe aspirational life of what we think everyone expects from us. Why not get rid of the unused formal dining room in favor of a beautiful, purposeful dining area where you can actually bond with the family over dinner?

Shelter Around Activity 

Many homes today are built with large cavernous spaces, making it hard to feel relaxed and comfortable. Many open-concept spaces lack the definition needed to properly house activity, so people often find themselves retreating into their bedrooms – lessening connection. Sheltering around activity means creating a separate space or defining the area with a screen partition wall or drop ceiling. Smaller spaces are naturally more inviting to humans, and we will use them more. 

Balancing Space, Light, and Order

With any design, no matter the square footage, the key to getting it right lies in the balance of space, light, and order. You don’t need lots of space to make practical use out of it. In fact, many small spaces are much more functional than their larger counterparts. Light further defines spaces, which is much more complicated than people think. A good lighting plan comes down to a science. Order is necessary to ensure everything has a place when working with smaller spaces. But this is also the idea of creating a balanced composition that feels welcoming and inviting. 

So, How Big Should My House Be? 

Now, it’s time to answer the big question. How big should my house be? Well, there is no one right answer. The ideal size of your home comes down to your budget, location, family, and preference. However, Susanka says a “not so big” house is approximately a third smaller than your original goal but the same price as your original budget. When properly applied, your space will actually feel much larger than if you had built bigger because the design will be more intentional, purposeful, and beautiful. Again, it’s all about quality over quantity. 

 

Big Houses Often Come With Big Problems 

When I think of the opposite of a “not so big” house, I picture an oversized, sparsely appointed McMansion. When you build a bigger space than you really need, you’re often left with bigger problems. 

Feel Sparse and Cold 

Big houses with high ceilings tend to feel sparse and cold. Furniture lacks a real place to land and is often left floating in the middle of an undefined open-concept space. As humans, we can’t fully relax in these spaces where we feel exposed and unsheltered. 

Lack Connection 

While many people think a large open-concept design will bring their family together, it often has the opposite effect. These large spaces bounce sound, making them uncomfortable and noisy, especially while containing multiple tasks like cooking, watching TV, and reading. The result: everyone retreats to their own smaller, cozier rooms. 

Require More Maintenance 

The larger the house, the more maintenance. Even if you enlist the help of landscapers and house cleaners, you’re still robbed of the time spent coordinating the upkeep of your home and the constant demands it makes upon you.  

Benefits of Smaller Homes 

Going the “not so big” route yields some pretty big benefits for your daily living. 

Bring People Together 

Smaller homes feel more intimate and actually bring the people inside them closer together. It’s as simple as being able to have a conversation without having to scream across the room. My home has a small den, and this is one of my favorite places to talk with my kids after school and connect at the end of the day. 

Feel Quieter and Softer 

Lower ceilings, heavy drapes, and plush rugs add to the quiet and peaceful feeling of a smaller home. While large ceilings can look pretty, they don’t afford the same cozy feel. Layering textures has a bigger impact in smaller spaces, allowing you to appreciate the quality even more. 

Allow You to Splurge 

The purpose of living smaller is not to save money on your renovation budget but rather to invest in the areas you will actually enjoy. A smaller home footprint means you can splurge on the hand-painted tile or velvet drapes! Remember, reduce the size by 1/3 and keep the budget the same.

Improve Sustainability

The sustainability factor of our homes is an ever-growing concern. Reducing the size of our living spaces means increasing the sustainability of our homes—while keeping them stylish and enjoyable to live in. 

 

Small, Stylish Living 

More space will not fix any of your home’s problems. It will actually just make them worse. Small is the solution. Designing on a smaller scale means investing in the areas that matter and creating purposeful spaces you will use every day. So take note, because “not so big” living is “oh so sweet.” 

 

Smaller is better.