This Week's Ideabook On Houzz: Trends I'd Like To See More Of In 2011One trend that I think is smart on many levels is that the average home size has begun to shrink after years of getting bigger and bigger. It's a movement that has a lot to do with 'The Not So Big House' series written by Sarah Susanka. With an emphasis on a home that works well, rather than square footage, the idea is that resources that would have once been spent on the mere size of the home can instead be allocated to creating one with quality craftsmanship and detailing.
Witt Construction
One of the best examples I came across while looking for a home that embraces these aspects on Houzz, is the 2009 Showcase Home in Saratoga Springs, NY. This gorgeous home was built by John Witt of Witt Construction, who explains:
"More and more clients these days are asking for a low-maintenance, green home that doesn’t take up too much of the planet. Yet, they don’t want to compromise on quality, style, or living a good life in a good house."
How does John achieve these objectives? Through good design and attention to all the details. Plenty of well-designed and carefully conceived built-ins add architectural style and storage for everything from media centers, books, clothing and china. The other beauty of built-in storage is that it can replace furniture, so a small space does not become a cluttered space.
A smaller house also has other advantages. Utilizing new technologies and buiding trends, it can be very energy-efficient. Taxes are typically less than a larger home and there is less maintainance, in both the interior and on the exterior.
To read the entire Houzz Ideabook in which I cover more trends I'd like to see more of in 2011 click here.
And of course...Happy New Year!!! Janell
25 comments:
Love this: I really like the focus on functional spaces, not just BIG spaces. Our home is 1600-1800 square feet, and I don't see us ever outgrowing it...even if we had about 5 kids (hah, not that we are planning to!)
Happy Happy New Year!
Thanks for the heads up on author. It sure looks interesting especially since I will be downsizing this year.
Happy New Year.
I couldn't agree more. No need to upsize - just smarter/more organized living!
What a beautiful home inside and out! I especially love the kitchen. Our first home where we raised two big boys for 24 yrs. was only 1041 sq. ft. Not quite sure how I survived that little house but somehow you manage!
Happy New Year!
Denise
When we were looking for another house, we initially selected a 5 bedroom home. This was when larger homes were the rage. I became worried about aquiring so much space since our sonss were almost out of high school and we changed our minds.
Our current house is smaller and both our boys have moved out to apartments. I would have been in a big empty house alone most of the time since my husband works out of town during the week.
My only regret is not having more character in this home, but I'd rather have a smaller home than a lot of unused space. I prefer charm and hopefully we can create that somehow.
i've been a follower for a while now, but just came across this post and absolutely this idea! i definitely think efficient utilization of space in a home is key and think this is the perfect example of how that's done.
p.s. happy new year!
I love this home. I live in a smaller ranch style home in Calif. and I have always said that it is small but lives big. I have all the room I need and all the spaces are used so it is a good fit for our family. I raised 3 boys in this home and we always seemed to have room. I like this trend. The McMansions seemed so big and not really very liveable, Great post Janell and a wonderful way to start out the New Year!!
I toured this home when it was part of the showcase of homes. It is as pretty in person as it is in the pictures. All of the houses in this neighborhood are beautiful. Witt construction has several similar neighborhoods all with houses as well designed and unique as the one you have featured.
Your post is so true. Huge houses don't feel homey to me. And I can't imagine heating one.
Our house is small and almost perfect. If only I had one more closet. But since I don't...time to get rid of stuff.
Happy New Year, Janell!
I've seen a lot of gorgeous houses, but there are fewer beautiful homes -- there's a big difference in my book. This one is fantastic. I wish you a fabulous New Year, Janell!
First of all, as a designer, I enjoy the challenge of making a space functional as well as beautiful, although I think it is actually more difficult sometimes to make a big house really work well. As a parent, I liked raising a family in a smaller space because we spent time together (althought often forced!) The McMansions separate families and I don't think that's a good thing. Luckily architects and designers are doing a great job of designing homes that work. The challenge is remodling the homes of the 50's and 60's to live bigger, but I love that too!
When we bought our house I was so happy to have my own home the size was not an issue(1200sq.ft.)My focus was trying to make it as beautiful as possible on a tiny budget, an ongoing pursuit.I must admit even though I love my house having one bathroom and 3 women is a challenge LOL. Then I remember there are some who have no bathroom. Its all about perspective, and gratitude for what we are blessed to have.
This is so true! A lot of times homes lose their 'homey' feeling when they are too large. I much prefer something that is smaller with character than new and builder grade quality.
I'm also hosting a giveaway today! Stop on by to check it out.
Happy New Year, Janell!
What a wonderful post Janell. The idea behind a smaller hone is fantastic. We are renting a home in a neighbourhood we want to but in but are waiting for the right size to show up on the market. So many homes have these grandious foyers and such wasted space but lack charm, storage and bedrooms., not to mention we balk at the idea of high heating bills. Here's to finding the perfect to us home this year!
Happy New Year!
What a beautiful home, especially the kitchen! Headed over to see the rest of your ideabook. Happy 2011, Janell.
Love this, I'll take quality over quantity anyday !
We had a bigger house in TX, and then we moved to WA state.
When we came to look at the house that we now own, "The Not So Big House" book was on the kitchen island.
I absolutely love this house, and don't miss the square footage a bit, because it was designed to maximize space.
We all really don't need wasted space, and rooms we really don't use.
Ashlyn
I love the idea of a small home. I live in a one bedroom condo, and the thought of living in a house of any size makes me excited!! A small home just make so much more sense, since large homes often have a lot of wasted space. And small homes have more character and charm to make up for their petite size.
I'm glad to see home sizes shrinking too (though I'll be honest, I am not sure this trend has quite made its way to TX yet!!) -- a big house is not always a better house and layout and function should definitely trump concerns over square footage.
Happy New Year Janell -- can't wait to see what the year has in store for you!
Ha! True Averill, I've spend some time in Texas and have seen a lot of big homes, and some of them fabulous!! My dream home is a bit smaller than our current one and filled with millwork, built-ins, and a really well thought out floor plan. I'd love to take some of the square footage from our living room and use it for a larger laundry room/mudroom, and a larger 'butler's pantry'. But for now I'm really happy...appreciative for a wonderful home. Lot's to be thankful for in 2011!
Janell
Oh, those McMansions.....never, never, never! What a total waste and disregard for the planet and everyone in it. Yes, I am so glad people are seeing that small is wise. We just plain don't need that kind of space. The Europeans are experts at small, more sustainable living (just take a look at their cars!) and seem to do just fine!
Totally agree, it has always been more important to me to have a home built of quality than of quantity. It is funny to look at the average size home our grandparents generation owned in comparison to ours, and they tended to have larger families.
I'm in agreement! This home is beautiful by the way. Love the elevation plan and the arch ways. There's something charming about driving under the house to get to the garage in the back. I rarely see homes like this in my area, so I'm loving it (:
When I grow up and buy a house, I'll definitely be looking for a smaller home that might be newer and more efficient!
Hi Janell, I know you've been posting on Houzz for a long time now but I always read your article without clicking over. However, today I finally looked into Houzz and I'm officially addicted! Thank you for introducing me. I love your latest post about "The Not So Big House" and I absolutely love the showhouse photos by Witt Construction. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Janell!
i haven't commented before, but really enjoy your blog!
Here in Southern CA, the "McMansions" are in full swing. I have 3 chldren in a nicely laid-out, 2200 square foot home that I LOVE. We have lived in this home for nearly 9 years -- bought it new. Over the course of time, it has been interesting to watch neighbors decide that they "needed" mega-homes when they only had one or two kids! This led to situations where nearly all of them lost their new, larger homes. In over their heads.
I came to the conclusion that it is so much about how we feel about ourselves...we feel that the size of our home says something about how important we are. It has nothing at all to do with what we really need. Sad.
Not that I am immune -- we live below our means as a matter of principle, but I have second-guessed remaining in the smaller home from time to time. But I really try to fight the mindset!
Great post, and great books. I have been a fan of this author for several years. I would like to see us return to this way of thinking!
Amy
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