How to Be Happy in a Small House

Over the years, the notion has always been that the bigger the house you have, the more successful you must be. However, experience shows that many people who live in big houses are actually “house poor” – meaning most of their money goes towards their home and they don’t have the financial resources to do other things.

It’s imperative that you recognize that living in a big house isn’t indicative of your wealth, financial status, or overall satisfaction with life. In fact, there’s an argument to be made that you may actually be happier in a smaller house. 

The Benefits of Living in a Small House

Once you realize that bigger houses don’t actually make you happier, the more you’ll be freed up to start looking at smaller-scale living. Before checking out some of the tips on how to live an efficient life in a small house, let’s quickly outline a few of the key benefits.

• Less stress. The bigger the house you have, the more money you have to invest to keep it running smoothly. A smaller house, on the other hand, is much easier to maintain. As a result, you’re able to spend more time enjoying it (as opposed to constantly maintaining).
• Desirable location. Is there a neighborhood in your city that you would love to be in, but simply can’t afford? Well, by looking for a smaller home, you may suddenly be able to find the perfect place in the neighborhood of your dreams.
• Fewer possessions. When you have a smaller house, you’re forced to get rid of things you don’t need or use. The result is fewer possessions, which ultimately leads to greater happiness and less mental fatigue. 

There are dozens of other benefits, but these are three that stick out the most. As you transition from a larger home into a smaller home, you’ll likely notice additional advantages that you never anticipated. 

5 Tips for Living in a Small House

There are clearly benefits to living in a smaller home – even if it defies what society calls “normal.” But don’t expect downsizing to be effortless. If you’re accustomed to living in 4,000 square feet and suddenly jump down to 1,500 square feet, your life is going to change considerably. Here are a few tips for making the process as easy as possible.

1. Get Organized

The key to living in a smaller space is to become a master organizer. Not only do you have less room for junk, but suddenly everything you own becomes more apparent. You have to stay organized, or you’ll end up being more stressed out than you were before.

Closet space is the first thing to focus on. You have to maximize every square inch. If you don’t already have closet systems installed, go ahead and put in some shelving and other features that allow you to get more out of the space you have.

Another suggestion is to reimagine rooms. “Just because the house ‘says’ a room is supposed to serve one function doesn’t mean that it has to serve that certain function,” says Abby Lawson, who lives in a smaller house with her husband and two children. “We have an 8′ x 8′ space in our basement that was intended for storage, but since we’ve purged and can fit all of our stored items in the garage, we’ve been able to use that space for other purposes.” 

2. Stay Clean

One of the great things about living in a small space is that cleaning isn’t as big of a deal when you live in a five-bedroom house. But just because cleaning takes less time, doesn’t mean you can avoid it. In order to be as sane as possible, you have to stay on top of cleanliness. Make it a point to vacuum, clean bathrooms, dust, and wipe down countertops once a week and you’ll feel a whole lot better about your situation. 

3. Stop With Multiples 

Why do you need three sets of linens for every bed, 15 wine glasses, two TVs, dozens of kitchen utensils, etc.? Americans have an obsession with owning multiples of everything, even when they rarely get used. If you’re going to live in a smaller home, you get to cut this bad habit and stick with only what you need.

4. Regularly Purge

Even if you make a conscious effort to only buy things you need, it doesn’t take long to accumulate “stuff.” In just a matter of days, clutter can sweep over your home like a plague. That’s why it’s a good idea to purge your possessions on a regular basis.

The first of the month is the perfect time. On the first Saturday of every month, take an hour and go through each room of the home. If there’s something that hasn’t been used in a while, trash it or donate it. 

5. Get Out of the House

If you’re focused a lot on the size of your house, then you’re probably spending too much time in it. Get out of the house more and you won’t be nearly as consumed by its limitations.

Getting out of the house doesn’t have to mean going shopping or taking a vacation. Sometimes it just means spending an afternoon in the backyard. The point is that you’re actively choosing to make a life for yourself outside of the walls of your home.

Call Green Residential Today

Are you looking to sell your home and find something that’s smaller and more manageable? If so, you aren’t the only one. All around the Greater Houston area, thousands of families are opting for smaller living spaces as a way to make their lives happier and less stressful.

At Green Residential, we work with homeowners who are looking to sell their homes in the easiest manner possible, while keeping more of their hard earned equity. Instead of charging the standard commission – which usually equals 6 percent when both the selling agent and buying agent are factored in – we operate on a flat fee rate that should save you thousands. Contact us today to learn more!