The Small House Society

jchait — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:59:01 -0400

Here's a society more folks should join up with; or at least learn more about - The Small House Society.

Their mission: "Our desire is to support the research, development, and use of smaller living spaces that foster sustainable living for individuals, families, and communities worldwide."

Their society overview. "The Small House Society is a voice for the Small House Movement. That movement includes movie stars who have downsized into 3000 square feet, families of five happy in an arts and crafts bungalow, multifamily housing in a variety of forms, and more extreme examples, such as people on houseboats and in trailers with just a few hundred square feet around them. Size is relative, and mainly we promote discussion about the ecological, economic and psychological toll that excessive housing takes on our lives, and what some of us are doing to live better. It’s not a movement about people claiming to be “tinier than thou” but rather people making their own choices toward simpler and smaller living however they feel best fits their life."

If you haven't noticed I think people should live smaller most of the time too. Of course I show larger home ideas here, but realistically, small is better, for all kinds of reasons. You lower your footprint, save money, save materials, reduce landfill waste, reduce time it takes to build, reduce stress, halt the whole my house is bigger and better than your house syndrome, and learn to live with less. Plus it's just plain wasteful to have more than you need. Have what you require, what sustains you, not five bathrooms. It's ridiculous.

The Small House Society has a number of resources at their website, such as, a huge resource page with books, builders, home plans, and more. You can also join discussion groups or sign on for the monthly newsletter.

To learn more about small homes visit:

[image via stock.xchng]