While shopping at Barnes and Nobel the other day for a book on photography with a digital SLR I came across a book, “The Not So Big House.” Several other works by the author were on display as well, “The Not So Big Life”, and “Inside the Not So Big House.” Since coming across those books I’ve been reading on the Internet about the books, and other “smaller is better” concepts.
The ideas resonate with me on several levels. While not based on the books I listed above, the idea of smaller spaces and their functionality hits home. And the concepts go hand and hand with my work, The Digital RV. You can do more in less space than you think, and it’s easier than you think too.
Living in the Airstream
More than 12 months have been spent in my 25 foot Airstream Safari. The dimensions, 25 feet long by 8 feet wide. Actually, I’m fudging. The length to the hitch of the trailer is 25 feet, so I’m working with less space than 25 long. But in a nutshell, I’ve been residing in less than 200 square feet of space! That’s smaller than my first apartment alone in undergrad, which was 450 square feet of space.
Honestly, a small space is workable. Everything you need can be fit into that amount of space. I think issues arise sometimes in a small space due to the confusion between what you need and what you want. 
Thinking further about the issue of smaller housing I ran down what I really need in a home, and found the Airstream actually meets the needs.
- Roof over my head to protect from the elements.
- Cooking space.
- Bathroom facilites.
- Sleeping space.
- Work space.
- Environmental Controls (heating and cooling).
- Place to stretch out and relax.
- Storage for day to day living items.
My Airstream covers all the bases and then some. Sure, it’s not as vast as my previous home, but I have almost everything I had there.
While the Airstream lacks in room to spread out, that lack of room also helps regulate my concept of what is necessary to have along. It seems to me that the larger the home the more space you feel the need to fill. I’ve often heard that people spend up to what they make. When a job pays more you seem to spend more. The same can be said about a living space. The more room you have, the more you tend to accumulate to fill that room.
Would I like more room?
Of course I’d like a little more space, but honestly, not much more. The latest 27ft Front Bedroom Airstream Safari would be perfect in my opinion. A little more storage, a properly shaped bed, and a cool design! I’d also like a small storage shed so my bicycle would have a place to reside, and my climbing gear didn’t remain in my back seat area. Beyond that, my spacial needs would be met I believe.
But honestly, I think I’d have a hard time in a bigger space now. Over the course of a year I’ve adjusted to a smaller space and working within it. When I enter the homes of new friends I’m constantly wowed by all of the space, and by all of the empty space. With what I’m carrying along today I wouldn’t be able to fill a single room in a standard home. So I’d find myself with a ton of empty space!
The “Minimalist” housing movement
With everything I’ve read on the internet I’m hearing a lot about smaller homes leading to resource savings across the board. Less building materials, lower energy expenses, lower “carbon footprints”, etc. While I didn’t move on board my Airstream for any of those reasons, my impact has been lowered. It takes a lot less to heat and cool 200 square feet in comparison to heating and cooling 2500 square feet.
Greener Buildings sites many reasons why smaller is better. As I noted above, one key positive for going smaller is resource savings. Energy efficiency, savings on building materials, etc., are all sited as pluses in the linked article. Additionally they point out the “quality over quantity” argument. Take a read through the article and their site.
Parade.com also visits the home “downsizing” concept. They list four reasons why smaller may be better. Pretty interesting reasons too. Lower financial stress, less maintenance, more freedom, and more comfort. On the last point I’d suggest you read the article to understand where they’re coming from.
So, where am I going with all of this?
I’ve been considering home options in the Prescott area since I’ve arrived. I won’t be doing anything until I find the right job here, and know this is the place I’ll remain for a while. Currently I know I’ll remain a full-time Airstreamer for a while. As noted from the articles referred to above, one key feature in smaller is better has to do with less financial stress. Living in the Airstream is fairly cheap! With the right job I can begin saving quickly again, and that’s a big plus in my mind!!!
Even though I know I’ll be in the Airstream for a while longer, I also keep watch on the housing market in the area. And I’m finding that most of the new homes listed are 3 bedroom 2 bath dwellings that head into the 2000 sqaure foot range fast. I’m thinking more along the lines of 1200 square feet maximum. With all of the Digital RVing concepts working so well, I know my next home will be extremely digital, and have very few devices in it. 1 system to control all entertainment, communications, and work. That won’t fill tons of square footage by any means!
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The first house I bought here was only 695 sq. ft. and I tell you, it fit all the stuff so much better than the one I’m in now (1157) I feel like I rattle around here a lot, and it has quickly become storage for my stuff, plus there’s 2 rooms I hardly ever go in at all…
We scaled down in 2002 from 1800 sq ft to 1300 sq ft. Personally, I think we can go lower…
You are right. It’s a challenge to determine NEED versus WANT. We are such an aquisitive society…(stuff!stuff!stuff!)
I’m trying live in less space in “training” for when we get our airstream.
Keep practicing Lois! Train for the Airstream!
Your lifestyle is intoxicating. I bought my first home (650 s/f) when I was single. When I married, we immediately sold that house and moved to a much bigger one that we have been adding to over the years as our children were born and my mother came to live with us. Well, the children are almost grown and my mother has passed away, but, my husband adores a big home. I don’t.