The Small House Movement

Here in America, large houses are a sign of status and the norm for most people with comfortable disposable incomes. Large houses provide comfort and ease of movement, but aren’t without their faults. High energy bills and costly maintenance are common complaints of homeowners with bigger houses. With high fuel costs and the recent mortgage crisis, a new movement has sprung up to drastically downsize their bills – and their houses.

The nationwide “small house movement” encourages people to build and live in houses under just 1,000 square feet.
Though the size might seem restricting at first, adherents extol the many benefits of a downsized lifestyle.

Jared Volpe, who runs the blog Small House Style, told The New York Times that a smaller house means you can spend money on higher quality materials. Michael Janzen built his 80-square-foot house out of materials he found for free on Craigslist and plans to use the house as an office. Tara Flannery, a 25-year-old Seattle college student, says her 100-square-foot, $40,000 house allows her to move into her own place and pay for school, despite the tightening credit market. Tumbleweed Houses specializes in the construction of customized tiny houses, with models ranging from 65 to 774 square feet.

Though many in the movement admit that downgrading isn't for everyone, their goal is to get people thinking on a smaller scale in general. Even a modest downsizing of living arrangements can make a big impact on the environment and your life.

(Photo by Toby Bradbury)