I truly believe that any house can be
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Table of Contents
#1 The Price is Right
In order to afford a few acres of land close to the city, we
This was what the house looked like when we bought it.
See the exterior renovation: A Modern Country Style Exterior Makeover
#2 Location, Location, Location
The location of our house was perfect. Even though it’s in the country, it’s only a 5 minute drive to a town that has groceries, schools etc… and a 15 minute drive to the closest major city. We were willing to compromise on the size of the house to be so close to amenities. Now that we have 2 kids that we drive to activities etc… we know we made the right choice!
#3 Outdoor Living
We really wanted a beautiful, private property when we were looking for a home. This house was on 4 fenced and treed acres, with a pond and a large garage/workspace for Mark. The smaller footprint of the house made the extra land affordable. Having so much outdoor space really encourages to get outside, get fresh air, and be active.
#4 Maintenance Costs Less
Something my 25-year-old self didn’t really think about when we were house hunting was the cost of maintaining a property. Taxes, utilities, routine maintenance and repair costs all add up, and the smaller the house smaller the bills!
#5 Minimalism is Necessary
Living in a smaller space forces you to live a more minimal lifestyle. I routinely clean out outgrown clothing, toys, gifts etc… Anything that we don’t use or love gets donated. Living with less clutter means less stress and a happier home! Read about how to practice Moderate Minimalism.
#6 Family First
I love that a smaller space forces our family to be together lol! In a large house, there are so many different places to be that I feel like you can lose each other in all that space. Our bedrooms and living spaces are all in close proximity and there’s a cozy feel created by the closeness.
#7 Consider the Environment
With the global warming crisis that we are facing minimalism is key. I had the pleasure of meeting HGTV’s Bryan Bauemler at the Edmonton Home Renovation Show this year. He gave a really excellent talk on how the best thing we can do as a homeowner is to buy a small, well-built house and make it as efficient as possible. I couldn’t agree more!
#8 Fun Becomes Affordable
Living within or below your means, by not taking on the financial burden of a large home, means more money left over for fun! Spend that extra cash on new experiences, travel, hobbies, savings or investments instead!
#9 Cleaning is a Breeze
The older I get, the more I appreciate this perk of small space living! It’s so much easier to clean a small house. There are fewer bathrooms, smaller floor spaces, and just generally less clutter to keep under control. Even if you pay a cleaner to come in, it costs less. We are able to afford a cleaner because the square footage is smaller!
#10 Downsizing Made Easy
Downsizing is trending right now as so many baby boomers are selling their large family homes in favour of smaller, more manageable properties. This is a long-term game plan, but if you already live in a smaller, less expensive home you may not have to consider leaving it as you age! This also may enable you to retire earlier if you don’t have to deal with the costs of moving.
#11 Renovations Cost Less
Fewer square feet = lower cost when you are renovating! We were able to afford better quality hardwood flooring, marble countertops, and some other splurges that we wouldn’t have been able to put in if the house had been any larger! It’s definitely something to consider if you are looking at homes that require updating!
# 12 Contentment is Key
The hardest and best part of small space living is learning to be content! To not always want bigger, better or more. Learning to live happily in a smaller space is a good exercise in practicing gratitude not greed in your daily life.
We are so happy with our choice of small space living in a great location! So what do you think? Do you currently live in a small space or are you considering downsizing? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Just leave a comment below!
Need help with decluttering? Check out CLUTTER FREE LIFE!
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I absolutely love your house! You have made such an amazing home for your sweet family!! I LOVE small spaces. My husband and I bought our first house, a two bedroom townhouse, right after we were married. We lived there when we welcomed our first little boy. Then a couple years later, our second son came, we still lived in my beloved townhome. I never wanted to move! My boys loved sharing a room, and I loved being is a space that we were all together, all the time. Finally, after welcoming our fourth son, my husband convinced me that we needed more space. We moved a couple years ago, but I still miss my little townhouse!
Your house seems just so perfect, and is so pretty!!!
~Emily
We lived in a townhouse too when we first married! There’s something so cozy and homey about a smaller space!!
First of all, I would like to say thanks to you for such a nice and informative article about small space living organizing. I’ve read many articles on this topic. But this the best one I’ve ever read. Your writing style makes this article more enjoyable. I will apply your suggestion in my home. Some of my friends also interested in this topic. I would like to share your idea with my friends. Thanks again for your effort to write such a nice post.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such kind feedback. I’m so happy you found the article helpful!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such kind feedback. I’m so glad you found the article helpful!!
Your house is lovely Amanda. You did a beautiful job of styling it and making it functional for your family. I like your philosophy on small space living and look forward to living in a small space myself one day. Oh and my husband and dog can come too. lol
Thanks so much Leslie! Ha yep there’s room for everyone, even in a small space!!
We have downsized twice. We are currently in a small 110 year old home. I love your message of contentment. This is the most difficult piece for me. I’m trying to work toward more minimalism. That is so hard! I have 54 years of treasures and hate them being stowed away. How to display without overwhelming is a challenge.
Yes! That’s definitely a challenge! What I like to do is switch out a few things each season, just like I do with my seasonal decor. So I’ll keep some things in storage, but every once in awhile I’ll go through and switch them out! It’s like finding treasures every time!
Thanks for pointing out that because small homes take up less space, there is a wider variety of locations that it can be built. My wife and I want to move closer to our grandchildren, and we think that it’s more important to have a large yard they can play on than a complex home, so they’re not stuck inside. We’ll be sure to find a small home near us with lots of land!
Sounds like a great plan! We love having more land and less house!!
Hi Amanda. I just discovered your blog and am loving it! I found you over at Pine and Prospect. I live with my husband, dog and cat in a 1200 square foot home and I think I am going to learn a lot from you. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Oh thanks so much! Glad you are here!
Recently downsized to an almost tiny 600 sq/ft one bedroom house and I’m so content. Don’t miss one item I donated and all the reasons for living small are so true. Now I have so much more time for golf!
That’s so good to hear. Living with less can definitely feel like more!!
We are taking a deep breath and downsizing this year! It is exciting but a bit scary as well! We own a small 3 bedroom home that we will renovate, and sell our large house where we raised our family. You have made it look much more do-able! thank you!
That’s exciting! I wish you all the best in your new adventure!
My husband and I raised our son in a little 988 sq. foot cottage until he was in High School. Then we inclosed our carport and laundry room to make it 1200 sq. ft. It is the perfect size now!! It seems even larger now that our son is grown. Everything you said about small living is true!!
Hi Amanda, my husband died 14 years ago, so nine years ago I moved from a really larger house with all five bedrooms and three full bathrooms upstairs to a 1960’s rancher that is all one level and about 2100 square feet. I could not be happier. It is so much easier as I am aging to live with no steps – just walk in from the carport with the groceries. I pulled out the tub and added a step in shower in the master. I had to give up my garage and my central vacuum, but as you pointed out so much easier to clean! It feels like a little dollhouse to me! And amazingly, when my friends come over they tell me they like this house so much better than my former house because its so cozy and welcoming.