Tiny Houses - How Small is too Small?

As the economy contracted and families tightened their budgets, smaller homes have become more popular.
The National Association of Homebuilders report that the size of homes is decreasing.  The national average is now around 2300 square feet, down 100 square feet or so from recent years. Builders are constructing smaller more energy efficient homes with efficient space planning.

I like this idea of better space planning and energy efficiency.  Less home means less to clean, heat, cool, and maintain.  But how small is too small?  Could you live in 100 square feet of space? Take a look at these "Tiny Houses"  .

Given that they are detached homes, water, sewer, and electrical lines have to be run to them.  Would that be called "tiny sprawl"?  I think a more environmentally sensitive solution is infill development and redevelopment in our cities where utility services already exist rather than starting new neighborhoods of tiny homes.


On the other hand, these tiny houses are cute as a button - like oversized doll houses. My husband thinks the tiny houses look like sheds or outhouses. Indeed, some of them are delivered on trailers.  I love my husband and cat but would need at least one room to get away once in a while. One of the larger "small house" plans might work for us.

I do like the philosophy behind tiny houses, which is to simplify your life.  Get rid of the stuff you don't need and don't accumulate more stuff or become a slave to your stuff.  With a smaller house, you save money and time that you can then put toward living -- spending time with friends and family, going on vacation, or volunteering. When we moved overseas, we purged a lot of our stuff and rented a smaller house, and I have to say I'm enjoying it.  When we return to the states, both boys will be in college and we'll likely downsize further.  I just don't think we're quite ready to go tiny!!