Do you have a ‘dream house’ that you see in your mind’s eye? What does it look like? Small, large, modern, traditional, victorian? How about the setting? Do you prefer lush forests, mountain or water views?
While I fully appreciate the majesty and stately designs of many larger homes, I must confess I don’t dream about living in one. I much prefer the efficiency and homey feel of a smaller, well designed home. Not too small though. Some of the homes I’ve been seeing lately that are gaining in popularity are barely larger than some sheds. Nope, not for me. But you have to agree…smaller homes are less expensive to build and certainly cost a lot less to maintain. If you believe like I do, that the larger the space the more stuff we accumulate, then you might agree that in so many ways small homes have not-so-obvious benefits.
There are some misconceptions about small homes that are undeserved. Some people think they’re cramped, uncomfortable or unattractive. A well planned small home can be every bit as comfortable as any large home ever built. And we should remember…the large, urban sprawls that were so popular toward the end of the 20th century have gone the way of the Hummer, and rightfully so. There are only so many resources we can use up, and we’re finally realizing Mother Nature is saying ‘ENOUGH’! Besides, wouldn’t many of us prefer to live in a house that was energy efficient while still providing us with enough space to live comfortably?
Make no mistake about it. I like my space. But when is enough enough? When is big too big and when is small too small? What do YOU think?
I’ve put together a few pictures of small houses (and in some cases, REALLY small) that caught my eye for different reasons. Some of these, including my absolute favorite, aren’t really houses. They’re playhouses for children, but I thought they were too adorable to pass on.
I’ve always had a soft spot for porches, and add yellow into the mix and I’m sold. This is actually a little playhouse from PoshTots. What child wouldn’t love this??
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This is my ‘dream’ house. Like the above, it’s actually a playhouse, but I love nearly everything about it, and who says it can’t be built in a larger size? Love the arbor, the dormer windows, the porch and the side window that suggests there’s a window seat inside. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch shares a similar esthetic, and this is her dream house as well. True story…after searching on iStock for hours looking for a house to place in my header, I came across one that I fell in love with. It was yellow and had a porch, similar to this one, but something about it looked familiar. Then I realized it was in Susan’s header! I was soooooo disappointed, but of course I couldn’t use the same one. I continued to look and never found a single house I liked nearly as much, so I ended up with the header you see now.
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Would you ever think of having a blue roof? I never did, but this cute little bungalow style home has me wondering. Maybe pale yellow with blue shutters instead of white, although the white is beautiful.
This house belongs in a fairy tale. I love the flowers and cute little awning on the front window.
Looks like this cutie has a picket fence, which I love! Seems maybe a tad too small for me, but I wouldn’t mind it as a studio ;).
Speaking of studios, this is my favorite part of this next house. That building to the left would be perfect! I’ve come to the realization I could be perfectly happy in a small home providing I had a studio space big enough to accommodate all my treasures waiting for a makeover…you know. The ones we find on the curb, at garage sales, or flea markets.
This one is too cute for words. Tiny, but wow! Pure sweetness.
This house, for me, represents the near perfect size. The only thing it’s missing is a little porch, but I’d be perfectly happy with it as is.
This next house, while not my style, has a lovely view it seems. One that you can enjoy no matter where you’re situated in the home.
When I look at this house it reminds me for some reason of a caretaker’s cottage. I picture a much larger home somewhere nearby in a similar style.
Is there anyone out there who doesn’t adore thatched roof cottages??
Here’s another home that falls into the ‘just about perfect size’ category. I love the front gate, too.
The inside of smaller homes look and feel best when they have open floor plans and higher ceilings like this one. Notice how the refrigerator is a bit scaled down compared to most American kitchens, but still functional for one or two people.
How large is your home? Do you feel it’s too big or too small?
If we will have the wisdom to survive, To stand like slow-growing trees on a ruined place, Renewing, enriching it, If we will make our seasons welcome here, Asking not too much of earth or heaven, Then a long time after we are dead, The lives our lives prepare will live here.β
βWendell Berry
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
This was fun to read and view!
I have a fairly small house. Also it is very cold here right now.
After reading the horrible stories about the South / Stranded on Freeways etc in the ice storm, when I walked into my little house this afternoon I just looked around and appreciated every inch of it. It’s enough. To get home safely and to have food to eat..sometimes that is just enough, and we forget that! π All of these little houses of yours are wonderful! π
Brenda Kula says
Oh, I’ve never heard that quote. How beautiful the words! I live in 1010 square feet. I want more like 700-800. As I feature homes from abroad, I see that people don’t have houses like here. In fact on their blogs they talk about Americans and their “constant purchasing.” I don’t blame them. We are a country of too much. We don’t need huge houses. We should live like we’re trying to hand our grandchildren a decent environment. We could learn a lot from them.
Brenda
Al says
I love my home but wish it was smaller. It’s a split level about 1300 square feet up and the same undeveloped footage in the basement. When we bought it we had my husbands kids living with us part time. They moved away this fall and now our house is way too big. We only go to the basement to do laundry or run on the treadmill and we have one bedroom upstairs that we never go in. It’s such a waste. We dream of living in a small house close to water and trees and are doing what we can to make that dream some day come true. As for the above houses, I love the one with the blue roof and the red one!
Doreen says
I hope your dream comes true AI! It sounds lovely.
Judy Clark says
What beautiful little cottages! Love the porches and fences! Enjoyed this post.
Judy
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I have a book on cottage homes and one day I hope to build one as our last home before the nursing home!!!β¦Love those cottages!
kimberly says
Oh, I love them all! I’ve lived in a smaller home and found it to be cozy.
Zografia @ Bisozozo says
I love small places! As long at there is suffucient storing place, a small house is perfect!
Doreen says
Good storage is key! Small houses really challenge us to be creative with the space, and I love a challenge :).
Cecilia says
Fun post! I love the small houses you’ve found and I agree-a studio would be a must! By some standards our city house is small 1850 sq. ft. but I’ve always found it to be enough. Our farmhouse is a cozy 1200 sq. ft. house but I like the open layout and big closets plus the barn will be my studio so I’m set! My dream house would be a storybook cottage with a round top door, window boxes, etc. in a woodland setting. π
Have a great day dreaming, Doreen!
Doreen says
Our living situations are similar, but reversed. Our cabin is just under 1800 sq ft, but our rental,where we spend most of our time, is 1150. I remember you blogging about your studio and feeling sooooo jealous! (Love round top doors too!)
Denise says
Great houses, one and all! I’d like one to put in my backyard. Just for me. With no phone or internet. Just books and a cozy chair. This post reminded me of My Fair Lady…”all I want is a room some where, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair. Oh, wouldn’t it be loverly.”
Jane says
I think these houses are so cute. My favorite is the one with the picket fence. If I could choose, I would have a house on a lake in the mountains!! Ha!
My house in the city is old and I would say small, at least small rooms. Rooms were just small back then. The house at the lake is larger and we spend most of our time outdoor! Isn’t that funny?
I really don’t like the reputation that Americans have gotten as being gluttons. My parent and grandparents were on food rations during the two world wars, my parents truly wanted to have the “American Dream”. And then our generation, the baby boomers that no doubt grew up in postage stamp size homes and shared a bedroom with two siblings, wanted their dreams, bigger homes; rooms for each child, a big backyard. I really don’t see that there is a big problem with that. Everyone wants something different. I feel terribly sad for those who lost those home in the economic downfall. And those that still have or want newer large homes are criticized. Why?
You said absolutely nothing offensive in your post, Doreen, I loved it, sometimes I just get so aggravated that we judge people so harshly. Grrrrr!!
XO,
Jane
Doreen says
You are so right Jane! We shouldn’t judge anyone else’s choices. No two people have the same wants or needs and that’s what makes life interesting.
There are a couple of houses with picket fences. Which one is your fav?
Angela says
What an entertaining post! I love all your featured homes. I, myself, live in a house that’s too big in my opinion. It was great when the kids where still living at home but now it just seems to be work! My ideal is a cottage by a lake in the mountains where hubby can fish off the deck and I can “do my thing”! I must admit, though, I have to have internet! π ~~Ang
Poppy says
It seems that every time I pop over here lately, we are on the same page, so to speak! That adorable, little yellow and white cottage is pure story book, which for me, translates into whimsy, charm and coziness. Yes, this is my dream home, and I have talked about spending the second half of my life in a tiny cottage, in a tiny town, in my native Ontario, Canada for about 5 years now, in conversations with family. Our home, here on the island is about 2900 square feet, and I feel it is the right size, especially when we have friends and family visiting from overseas and need to accommodate everyone comfortably. But, for me, the right house is not so much about size, as it is about location, again, not so much about WHAT I see, but about WHO I see, and thus, my need to be closer to my family in Canada, has taken precedence over any other factors.
Absolutely loved this post, Doreen, as it has all my story book factors: whimsy, charm and coziness, and that’s why I always feel at home when I visit. Thank you for being such a sweet hostess!
Poppy
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I have a small fisherman’s cottage: I find it’s too small when I can’t add any furniture and too big when I have to clean it! But it’s definitely tiny compared to American homes!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
There is a place we go camping in Michigan where you can rent these tiny little cabins the size of a garden shed. We stayed in one a few times and I’ve often thought, ” do we really need more than this?” Lol, we have a small townhouse and it’s just perfect, except there’s not enough room for a workshop/ craft shop. Like you I would trade less living space for more craft space. You always make me ponder the possibilities, Doreen, thank you and have a great weekend – Amy
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Doreen, these houses are adorable! I love the ‘Hobbit house’ (3rd from the bottom) that would be an inspirational writing place for me. My husband and I sold our large home and we’re looking for a small, cozier home now (although not as small as some of these houses). You’re absolutely right, a smaller house would feel best with an open floor plan and higher ceilings and that’s what we’re looking for. My last house was yellow and my new house would most likely be yellow too. I don’t know, there’s something happy and welcoming about the color yellow.
Doreen says
Ahhhhh. I love that one too. Give me a thatched roof and I’m a happy girl. Good luck with your house hunting. It’s exhausting and can be stressful, but also exciting!
Thanks for stopping by Vashti!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Ha,ha! Thank you Doreen! So far it’s been more stressful than exciting, but I’m sure when I find a house that I love I’ll be very excited. π
Andi says
Yes, I feel like you’ve been house hunting in Hobbiton. π I LOVE them all, but could definitely only fly solo in a house that tiny. But I like the idea of building a studio that looks like one of those. π
-andi
Whitney Jones says
I dream of living in a small home, too. When I start looking for my first home, I’m going to be looking for a quaint one just like these. I am in love with the one with the thatched roof!
Cheers,
Whitney
Doreen@househoneys says
Good to hear from you Whitney! Yes, the thatched roof house is the stuff dreams are made of.