Build Better, Not Bigger in your next green home project

For most of the 2000's we saw people building and purchasing more home than they needed. Living in excess has long been an American tradition, but with the recent recession and housing slump we have seen a trend in the way some Americans are choosing to live their lives.

New homes had doubled in size since 1960, but in 2008 we saw the average size home slide from 2,629 sq ft to 2,343 which is the first time in over a decade that we saw a decline.

Homeowners could be choosing to live smaller because they no longer feel like keeping up with Jones since the Jones' home went into foreclosure, or they want smaller utility bills, or because home loans are more scarce then the days of sub-prime loans. Whatever the reason, I am anxious to see if this is a fad or a trend that we will continue to see increase.

If you are of the ilk that prefers to live a more modest lifestyle and are looking for ways to make your home more efficient, there are many options suitable for a various style of homes. Your home remodeler or designer should be a great source of knowledge of your choices that are available for your specific home. However, there are many good sources of inspiration that you can research prior to contacting your home remodeler.

A book I recommed is Not So Big Remodeling by Sarah Susanka. It is a great source of information on how to make your home more comfortable, functional and sustainable. Here are a few remodeling tips from Sarah:

1. Set priorities. Of three factors -- quality, quantity and cost -- determine which two are the most important and let the other "float."
2. Examine your space. Look at what can be done within the existing footprint. List activities to be accommodated, recognizing that a place is needed but not necessarily an entire room.
3. Study storage. A little well-designed storage in the right place can replace a lot of poorly designed storage, opening up floor space in areas that are currently too small to function properly.
4. Bump out a little. Adding just a few feet to a space can contain costs and maintain a house’s scale.
5. Add on with grace. If none of the above strategies meet your needs, and the budget allows, a small addition may be the best option. Consider what each exterior face of the house will look like.

If you are looking to remodel your home, pick up her book and see how you incorporate more of her tips into your next project.

Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com