Drive around any neighborhood built in the past few decades, and you will definitely notice mostly huge houses, often situated quite close together and inhabited by smaller families. People think they need a ton of square footage, but in reality, this often dispenses the family to different areas of the house and cuts down on interaction. There are also the environmental implications of heating and cooling a large home. Recently, people are moving towards small house living in droves, with the Tiny House Movement being the most extreme example. There are some definite benefits to building or renovating a smaller Northern Virginia home.
Energy Savings
One of the best reasons for living in a small home is saving on your energy bill. If you’re building a small house from the ground up, you can utilize all the latest energy-saving materials. With less square footage to heat and cool, you use less energy and reduce your carbon footprint. On average, homeowners save $200 per month in a 900 square foot home as opposed to a 3000 square foot home.
More Intimate
In a small house, each room has a feeling of coziness. Even with an open floor plan, a small house has an intimate feel. Unlike in a giant house where family members can drift far from each other, a smaller house means more together time. When there is nowhere to go, it encourages people to work around each other and work out problems as they happen.
Less Cleaning
A smaller house takes a lot less maintenance, both inside and out. You’ll spend a lot less time cleaning and more time enjoying your home. It also cuts down on clutter, because you can’t fit as much into your smaller home. A big behemoth of a home has extra rooms, garages, and basements, all of which can collect unneeded stuff.
It’s Easy To Make Your Own
In a small home, you don’t have to furnish 4 or more living spaces. It is easy to customize, and there is a lot less furniture to buy. The smaller space seems cozy and intimate.
Have you thought about how much space you and your family actually need? It may make sense to downsize or renovate the home you have before moving into a larger one. Our designers are on hand to answer any questions you might have so call today.