The pandemic taught me the importance of a well-suited living environment that I enjoy and spend much time in. (I’ve spoken about that and other lessons from the pandemic here).The word “small” in this article is open to interpretation depending on your tastes. I’m not referring to any particular square footage or design style exactly, but rather a space that meets your and your family’s needs without any excess waste of space or living resources.
I wrote this specific blog post based on my experience, but you can adapt the general message of this article for your own living experience. It doesn’t mean you have to rule out any home elements that you consider vital for your satisfaction – Whether that’s an outdoor area or an extra toy room for your kids. Always ensure all of your needs are met. If you feel that you need an extra room to get some space from whomever it is you live is, please, by all means, do what you need to do.
What I’m talking about here is not giving in to the hype of mansions, pointless storage rooms (you probably don’t even need most of what is stored in them), and swimming pools that serve primarily as accessories. Social media has brainwashed us about overvaluing lavish excess that we can live without. This post isn’t bashing luxury, per se, but rather getting intentional about what you really need to feel content at home.
My interest in compact living spaces started about eight years ago when I got my first apartment. Social media was pretty new to the scene, and I followed numerous interior decorating and design pages for inspiration with my new place. After a few months, I noticed a trend in the homes and spaces I liked. Most of the pictures I enjoyed were smaller rooms and intimate areas. From a purely aesthetic perspective, I fell in love with Scandinavian interiors with their neutral color palette, variety of textures, and affinity for natural light.
But the benefits of smaller homes expand further beyond just the aesthetic. A few of these benefits are described below.
WHY I ADORE SMALL SPACE LIVING
Small homes are less expensive.
Whether you are a renter or an owner, you probably appreciate this. Smaller homes cost less not only to acquire but also to maintain. Whether it’s your first (or third) studio apartment or if you are downsizing after your children have left home, saving money on real estate can be better invested in other ways.
They’re cute and cozy.
Not that much elaboration is needed on this one. Tiny interiors have been done in tasteful ways worldwide – From Japan to India, Sweden and more. Small spaces almost always look inviting regardless of the homeowner’s chosen furniture or personal style.
Easy to clean.
Once you have your cleaning routine figured out, it’s easy to clean and tidy up a smaller space. You don’t have to labour over multiple rooms or lug vacuum cleaners up and downstairs. You can figure out what your essential needs are and declutter accordingly.
Easy to decorate.
Like most 20 somethings, I was on a budget when I first moved out. That’s when I realized the beauty of only decorating a one-bedroom 550 square foot place. You can choose to invest in a few high-quality, timeless pieces that can move with you wherever you move to at a later date. Aim to have quality over quantity take precedence when decorating your home.
But even if you aren’t decorating your very first place, decorating a smaller home reduces decision fatigue when it comes to decorating and design and frees up time for other things.
Easy to move.
Moving is one of the top five most stressful events in a person’s life. Having moved throughout my childhood and adult life, I can certainly attest to this. For lack of a better word, CRAP comes out of the woodwork! The random drawers, closets and garages hold so much stuff, especially if it happens to be the home you grew up in. Living in a smaller space may not eliminate this problem, but it reduces it. Living in a smaller home forces you to continually declutter as you go in the interest of not hoarding and collecting too much.
More eco-friendly.
This is plain common sense—small space = less electricity, heating, hot water, WiFi, etc. Small space living can significantly reduce your home’s environmental footprint. From the number of materials used in crafting a tiny house to its daily operations once occupied, there are many ways in which living within a modest floor plan can help you lead a greener existence. Save resources, save your money, and save the planet.
Keeps your family close/Creates more connection
One grievance my parents always voice as a big difference from their generation to ours is how disconnected the family tends to be in a bigger home, especially when internet devices came into existence. Family members can easily get lost in different corners of the house when they are unnecessarily large. We build unhealthy relationships with our cyber social interactions rather than take the time to connect with those with whom we share a habitat.
Those are just a few reasons why I have and will prioritize living small. I’m sure there are many reasons either for or against this perspective. However, the main message here is to be intentional rather than give into what is considered valuable in society today. I hope you enjoyed this read!
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