Why Size Isn't Everything

I’ve noticed over and over again that in the modern world there's a common misconception that bigger is always better. For some things in life of course this can be true. If you’re lucky enough to live in a house or be building a house, it seems we’re constantly striving for a bigger house with bigger rooms, which is weird when we’re having smaller families. New housing estates in the outer suburbs of our cities have the most enormous houses on them. And if you engage a project home building company to build your home, you’re getting a really large house (generally speaking). I think that when it comes to creating spaces that truly serve our needs and enhance the quality of our everyday life, size isn't the only factor to consider. Functionality should always take precedence over square meterage when designing your home, and if you focus on purposeful design it will always lead to better utilised living spaces. Let me explain what I mean.

Efficient Use of Space:

While a large home may offer plenty of room to spread out, it's essential to ensure that every inch serves a purpose. Efficient use of space involves thoughtful planning and design to maximize functionality and minimize wasted areas. If you’re in the throws of designing your new home, I encourage you to think about how many people will be using each space and the furniture you plan to use. Don’t just say ‘yep we’ll get a modular couch in that room’….measure it out, look for the actual sofa and start your furniture layout now. It can impact where you put a window, which way a door slides and even if you make the room slightly longer, or wider, or even smaller. It can be really hard to get your head around plans if you’re not used to it so mark things out on the floor, look at drawings to scale and plot your furniture to scale. The earlier you do this the better, it can save some annoying and costly mistakes further down the track.

Also consider multifunctional furniture (like a a sofa with moveable back cushions), built-in storage solutions, and flexible layouts that adapt to your lifestyle and evolving needs, regardless of the size of your home. Think about who will use each space and how and let that information lead your decision making.

Intimate and Cozy Atmosphere:

Oversized rooms can sometimes feel impersonal and cavernous, lacking the intimate and cozy atmosphere that makes a house feel like a home. Smaller, well-proportioned rooms create a sense of warmth and closeness, fostering conversation, connection and comfort among family members and friends. Embrace the concept of "hygge" – a Danish term that celebrates coziness and contentment – by focusing on creating inviting and intimate spaces that encourage relaxation and togetherness. Try using furniture placement that encourages conversation, like sofas facing each other or two sofas and two armchairs to create a u-shaped space, ideal for talking and entertaining.

This concept of size is also important for a bedroom. Sleeping in an enormous room can be quite unappealing. We want to feel cosy and protected nas we bunker down to sleep so there is really no need to also be able to fit a couple of sofas in the bedroom. A reading chair and lamp, sure, but sofas facing each other really isn’t needed. A bedroom should feel intimate and if the room is enormous you are not going to be able to evoke that feeling. Beyond the wardrobe consider the size of the bed you need, bedside tables and maybe an ottoman for the end of the bed and a dresser for additional storage. If you have the room for a reading corner, what a luxury but if not, no problem. The most beautiful and inviting bedrooms are not necessarily the largest.

Ease of Maintenance and Upkeep:

With a larger home comes increased maintenance and upkeep, from cleaning and maintenance tasks to heating and cooling expenses. Smaller, more manageable spaces are easier to maintain and require less time, effort, and resources to keep in top condition. By simplifying your living environment you can enjoy a more streamlined and stress-free lifestyle, leaving you with the time to focus on the things that truly matter. I mean who wants to dust and vacuum a room that never gets used? The idea of the ‘good room’ from my childhood days seems so hilarious to me now. Dont get me wrong, two living rooms for a family is a great idea, but I don’t think that one needs to be formal. You simply need two spaces (if you have the room) so you can break out into different areas when you need to.

Environmental Sustainability:

From a sustainability standpoint, smaller homes have a smaller ecological footprint, consuming fewer resources and emitting less carbon emissions compared to larger homes. By prioritizing quality over quantity, you can reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Consider incorporating energy-efficient appliances, renewable materials, and passive design principles to further enhance the eco-friendliness of your home. It always feels good when you can do your bit for the environment.

Personalized and Purposeful Design:

Ultimately, the goal of home design is to create spaces that align with your lifestyle, preferences, and values. Whether you prefer a cozy cottage or a minimalist loft, the key is to design your home in a way that reflects who you are and how you want to live.

Focus on functionality and purposeful design over sheer size, and tailor your space to meet your unique needs and aspirations, regardless of its dimensions. Remember that you will feel happier living in spaces that serve you in the way you want to live rather than in a space that is large for the sake of being large. Think beyond size and embrace the power of purposeful design to create a home that truly enriches your life. You won’t regret taking this approach.

Tam x