Homeschool Family lives in 320 square feet!

[justamouse]

I sometimes feel that way, too - like there's a moral superiority to living in a small house, and I wish I could achieve it. But when I am rational, I think we should be content in whatever circumstances, as a pp mentioned.

:iagree:

 

We had 34 for my moms B-day, 25 for Easter-that is bare bones family and not both sides. I couldn't do that in 1000 sqft in my old house, let alone a shotgun shack. We didn't entertain for years in our old house because of the lack of space. I missed that terribly. I would much rather take my big house now.

[Sputterduck]

Love it!

[LittleIzumi]

Huh. A custom-built mini-home. Interesting!! I'm in a wee trailer (700-ish sq ft) but out of necessity, not moral authority ;). I wonder how it would work if they had more kids. It looks almost something out of IKEA though, with their tiny model homes :tongue_smilie:. We don't entertain more than 6 or so people at a time, but we don't have that many friends clamoring to come over :lol: and our friends mostly live in apartments anyway so ours is the bigger place. I don't think we would choose somewhere that small if we had the choice. We don't want giant but we would definitely like to have more room than we have now--esp as one bedroom is the size of a walk-in closet itself, lol! I'm getting better at organizing now, at least.

[learningmama]

It looks almost something out of IKEA though, with their tiny model homes .

 

Exactly what I was thinking. We were just at IKEA last week and I loved the little places. Of course in order to make any place just as cute, one would have to spend lots of $$$ on all the IKEA stuff! IKEA has some good deals, but it all adds up quickly!

[NorCalMom]

I'm embarrassed to say I could never live like that unless I *had* to. I feel almost convicted because I do have a large home and too much stuff, but we are happy.

 

 

This is me...I was convicted & humbled - that video made me cry for pete's sake!

 

ETA: Could be hormones... :)

[Mirna05]

Wow! you have to be very organized.

Not sure I could live in a house like that

[gardening momma]

I didn't care for the tone that people with bigger homes, more stuff, and mortgages were not peaceful or content. And while I think her home is simple, which she really loved to use that term, so is my 1800 sq ft home. We aren't packed to the gills with stuff. We're happy.

 

 

I just don't think smaller is simpler.

I don't think she is saying this is the case for everyone, just that this is best for them, and that for them, smaller is simpler.

[Susan in TN]

I've always been fascinated by these kinds of things. I remember reading about a family of 5 who lived on a sailboat for quite a while. It was so interesting to see the adjustments they made and the creative ways they found to survive financially.

 

I'll have to see if I can find the website again. Or maybe it was a PBS special?

[Michelle My Bell]

I think this could be an excellent idea for a young man still in high school to take on. He could save money and build it over a few years time. Then he could use it while in college if he goes away. After that he could use it with his wife for the first few years of marriage while saving for his future home with children. Then it could be a homeschool room for his wife! LOL

 

Actually I can think of a lot of uses after they move out of it. It could be

 

• guest house
  
• vacation home
  
• mother-in-law suite
  
• missionary home
  
• art studio
  
• mini backyard retreat
  
• writers studio
  
• lake house
  

 

[YLVD]

I love the idea of this. It's super cool. I'm always intrigued by super small spaces. I like smaller houses in general.

 

However, we live in a cute, small, older house and it can be rough. That's mostly because I am the least organized person ever. I have pretty severe ADD and..well yeah.

[NicAnn]

This is ultimately our goal as a 3 or 4 person family. We currently rent, but will be moving into a Yurt or small home like this once we can afford some land. There has been talk of living on a houseboat, but that costs a LOT more and requires more skill than we have. :)

We have both moral and ...freedom (?) reasons for wanting to live like this. There is a huge amount of freedom with a mortgage free, simple living lifestyle...and that's something we really want to achieve.

[Michelle My Bell]

Ok, I've been browsing the small house sites... these things are expensive to build for what you get. :glare: Some of them are really cute though.

 

Yes, but think about it this way...

 

You find recycled materials, you barter for new materials. You buy a used trailer to build on.

[YLVD]

I don't find anything appealing about this idea at all. I liked how organized, neat and tidy things were, but that can be done in any home. I didn't care for the tone that people with bigger homes, more stuff, and mortgages were not peaceful or content. And while I think her home is simple, which she really loved to use that term, so is my 1800 sq ft home. We aren't packed to the gills with stuff. We're happy.

 

I won't say I'm totally content though, because I do not like our smallish home. We downsized from a 3000 sq ft home thinking that moving into a smaller home would be easier. It's not! I miss having multiple rooms where we can all just BE and not get in each other's way. Her idea that brushing against one another forces their family to be more interactive is rather strange to me. I think personal space is extremely important. I don't think it's easier to care for my 1800 sq ft home over my previous 3000 sq ft home. The smaller home seems like it always needs to be cleaned because we live in every space. The larger home had areas that weren't used all the time and didn't need such attention. I'm currently sitting in my dining area which is attached to the kitchen. We have shelves behind the dining room table to hold books and supplies. It makes for a cramped feeling. I'm looking directly into the living room. We have either the tv or music playing all the time. If I want quiet, I have to go into my bedroom and shut the door, which closes me off from the family. And honestly ladies, I would have real teA trouble in that home. :tongue_smilie:

 

I just don't think smaller is simpler.

 

Editing to add: I'm a SAHM and my DH works from home. He's a computer software support specialist with HP and needs to be online all day. I'm not sure a small house like that would work for people who use their house for all day living. The family in the video have a workshop they can work in, and it looked bigger than their house. I wonder how much time they spend in there.

 

I work from home and I admit that it can be tough in our relatively small space. It's mostly how the space is laid out in our house though. It's myself, SO and my DD in about 1100 sq feet. I have a desk in the corner of the living room and it can be difficult. I would kill for an office.

[Rhonda in TX]

DH is a big guy (tall, broad shoulders, big feet). I don't think he could fit through those doorways! Our current house (over 3000 square feet) is the first house we've had that he's been physically comfortable in. (I personally feel our house is too big.)

 

I would like to downsize, but not that much!

[sheryl]

Wow, I just saw this. You know, eventhough I'd like a larger house, I agree with her on many issues. However, there is something appealing to me about a small LIW style house....family, home and hearth. It seems cozy to me.

 

Thanks for sharing that, Michelle!

[Tarreymere]

We downsized to five kids in a singlewide mobile home, now we are raising two of our grandchildren also so we are now raising seven kids in a single wide. Probably we will be down to six kids sometime this year.

 

Honestly, I think we have too much wasted space. I would love a custom tiny home with all of the space better planned. Right now for example our master bedroom is way too big and the space is not practical to use for anything else. We have a laundry room, also a big waste. I would rather have the stackable washer and dryer built right in with the other appliances. But, our home is used and will be nearly paid off soon so I don't see a change in our future. The master bedroom in the trailer is bigger than the master bedroom in our old 1800 sf house, and the living room is better proportioned here. We have a big old woodstove in the living room that heats the whole house. The kids share two bedrooms and one bathroom, but I would like to organize their space better. Our oldest is moving out soon and DH would like to switch things around to make staggered bunks instead of bunk beds to make it safer for the younger kids and still save space.

[MelanieM]

I love small spaces, though that's a little too small for my family of five, soon to be six. When there were just four of us we lived in a 1000 sq two bedroom condo, and it was great! If it wasn't for the lack of a yard we likely would have stayed there longer. In fact, we considered moving back there last year (we had kept it as a rental property), but ultimately sold it and moved to another province instead.

 

I think layout and how you use the space counts for a lot. This particular home feels quite cramped to me. When I look at this 382 sq ft space it feels much more roomy and comfortable to me.

[KatDilan]

I like lots of space, open space in my home. I DO NOT like lots of stuff. This has alot to do with the year round living issue. Claustrophobia makes me depressed, especially in the winter. I could enjoy a tiny home like this in good weather, because the homeschooling, dining, & entertaining could be done outside, but being STUCK in that tiny space all winter? No way.

 

Take the clutter free, organized, simple life and stick it in a barn and I would be a happy woman!

 

Plus, with a son & two daughters, my son is already expressing a desire for privacy and respect for his personal items. I really like the idea of each child having personal space and a sense of ownership/responsibility for their things. Even if those spaces are small. More kids just = a need for more space for that to happen.

[Scuff]

I feel claustrophobic just watching that.

[Frontier Mom]

I loved the idea of no clutter but using one dresser? No way! I'm way to OCD for that size home. Being debt free and the reduction in cleaning time would be pretty cool though.

 

I'm wondering how the son stayed in his "room" for three days but can't stand up at all.

[jlmom]

It's an adorable house and they certainly made it work for them. There are areas of the country, though, ( I live in one) where you can still find very cheap housing. There is a house for sale now in our town for $14000. No-I didn't forget a zero--14K. It's a row house on a busy street with a very small yard, but still. It's perfect for a couple or a young family. We're off the beaten path a little, but only about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, maybe 2.5-3 from NYC, so it's not in the middle of nowhere.

[Kathleen in VA]

Very convicting. Need to declutter. Now!!!

[In The Great White North]

When I look at this 382 sq ft space it feels much more roomy and comfortable to me.

 

That's because it's 800sf.

 

I went to her blog looking for a floor plan because I couldn't figure out the pictures. It's in the Dec 4, 2008 entry.

[mom4him]

I really like her theory, it isn't what you don't have it is what you do have. This wouldn't be practical for our family of 5, one of which is in a power chair but we definitely have to much stuff and could downsize a bit.

[Sue G in PA]

I love the idea. Would love to have ZERO house payment and would gladly trade a large house for ZERO mortgage. Right now, our house is rather small but it fits us. I like our lot. I'd LOVE to one day demolish the house and build a new one in it's place. That is really a good idea...downsize to just what you NEED and you would be surprised what little that is :D

[Nestof3]

:iagree:In my case, it is my MIL who pressures us to do add on to our 1100 square foot house for my family of four. Now I can be content that it IS big enough.

We were a family of five in the same size. Our eldest has moved out, but it is completely large enough for five (and now four) of us.

 

The stuff is what takes up so much room -- toys and books. :D

 

I don't keep anything I don't need to in regard to kitchen stuff, linens, stuff. This summer, I am reorganizing the boys' bedroom and their playroom. We are getting rid of lots of videos, books and some toys by having a yard sale.

 

We just have too much stuff.

[lisamarie]

I think I would be extremely claustrophobic in that house!

 

:iagree: Just looking at the boy's room made me almost hyperventilate. No way could I live up there without feeling like the ceiling was closing in on me. Maybe if the ceilings were higher and the hallways were wider I could live there.

[Liz CA]

I couldn't under normal circumstances. Only if I won the lottery and built a bunch of them around a communal area for school/library/large kitchen/play area. But, it would also have to be something more like this.

 

I could retire in one of those! Cozy. In fact, I also liked the ones Mrs. Mungo linked. Something to think about.

Edited June 3, 2011 by Liz CA

[cathmom]

We're off the beaten path a little, but only about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, maybe 2.5-3 from NYC, so it's not in the middle of nowhere.

 

Do you mind saying where?

[ereks mom]

I would LOVE to have a house like that as a vacation home. I don't think I could stand to live in such cramped quarters all the time, though.

[Michelle My Bell]

I love small spaces, though that's a little too small for my family of five, soon to be six. When there were just four of us we lived in a 1000 sq two bedroom condo, and it was great! If it wasn't for the lack of a yard we likely would have stayed there longer. In fact, we considered moving back there last year (we had kept it as a rental property), but ultimately sold it and moved to another province instead.

 

I think layout and how you use the space counts for a lot. This particular home feels quite cramped to me. When I look at this 382 sq ft space it feels much more roomy and comfortable to me.

 

I love those pictures! Do you know the blog address of the lady who posted them?

 

Edit: Never mind, I found it!

Edited June 2, 2011 by Michelle My Bell

[Susan in TN]

I like lots of space, open space in my home. I DO NOT like lots of stuff. This has alot to do with the year round living issue. Claustrophobia makes me depressed, especially in the winter. I could enjoy a tiny home like this in good weather, because the homeschooling, dining, & entertaining could be done outside, but being STUCK in that tiny space all winter? No way.

 

Take the clutter free, organized, simple life and stick it in a barn and I would be a happy woman!

 

Plus, with a son & two daughters, my son is already expressing a desire for privacy and respect for his personal items. I really like the idea of each child having personal space and a sense of ownership/responsibility for their things. Even if those spaces are small. More kids just = a need for more space for that to happen.

 

:iagree:

I love uncluttered space, despite the fact that my house is not that way. Working on it. I think to have a very small space like these, I'd really want to be in a place/climate where the outdoors could be a big expansion of my living space. I also love the really creative ideas people come up with to make these spaces possible.

 

As far as being "portable", though, I don't care for much. I think a sense of permanance is important, even though it's impossible to maintain. (As my pastor once said, nothing of significance can be done if you don't stick around. :))

[joannqn]

I know a family of four that lives in a 400 square foot fifth wheel trailer. It's so nice and roomy that we'd love to follow them, only we don't have the means to purchase a 5th wheel.

[Annie Laurie]

I don't find anything appealing about this idea at all. I liked how organized, neat and tidy things were, but that can be done in any home. I didn't care for the tone that people with bigger homes, more stuff, and mortgages were not peaceful or content. And while I think her home is simple, which she really loved to use that term, so is my 1800 sq ft home. We aren't packed to the gills with stuff. We're happy.

 

<snip>

 

I just don't think smaller is simpler.

 

 

 

:iagree:

 

I think there is some romanticizing of living in a smaller space, and I do see the appeal in some aspects of it, but I think in reality, it can be a lot different than imagined.

 

I have lived in a small space and a big space. I was stressed in the old, small house- everything was always a mess, I had very little storage space (a tiny kitchen pantry, 1 walk in closet in the entire house, 2 drawers in my kitchen and a few cabinets), and did not know where to keep anything. We spent a lot of time out of the house because I couldn't stand being in it!

 

It has been a sanity saver having all the space that we have now, because there's a place for everything. More space does not necessarily equal more stuff, I feel like we have a good balance.

[MelanieM]

That's because it's 800sf.

 

I went to her blog looking for a floor plan because I couldn't figure out the pictures. It's in the Dec 4, 2008 entry.

 

Maybe the blog reference you read is about a different apartment? Her place was featured in Apartment Therapy, and listed as 382 sq ft. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/small-cool-2007-entries/4-delights-cozy-nest-for-three-020720 I also remember her posts about this apartment at MDC a few years back when they moved in there... it was definitely tiny. (Not that 800 sq ft is massive!)

 

 

ETA: Sorry, I just went to check and the link I originally posted is not the 382 sq ft space. I'll see if I can dig up that link anywhere... Though I really do love this 800 sq ft one a whole lot!!

Edited June 3, 2011 by MelanieM

[MelanieM]

Ok, here's the link to the photos of the 382 sq ft apartment:

[HollyBee]

However, I don't know if I could do the full size bed in the master bedroom. I'm really liking the sleep I get with a king.

 

 

I completely agree. I love my king bed. However:

 

We moved into a 1,000 sq ft home a few years ago and had to trade our king for a full. We've actually had no trouble at all adjusting ~ I think I might even like the full more.

 

Dh keeps saying he thinks we should get rid of the king and move to a twin! You know, like in college. :glare:

 

:lol:

 

Okay, sorry, that was OT. Nevermind...

[fairfarmhand]

I'd go stark raving mad especially in the winter.

 

I need space. I need alone-ness.

 

I LOVE my kitchen (that lady's house could almost fit in my kitchen) and I am not embarrassed that I have a huge eat in kitchen and I LOVE IT!

 

 

Good for them...

 

but it is not for me.

[Wheres Toto]

:iagree:

 

I think there is some romanticizing of living in a smaller space, and I do see the appeal in some aspects of it, but I think in reality, it can be a lot different than imagined.

 

I have lived in a small space and a big space. I was stressed in the old, small house- everything was always a mess, I had very little storage space (a tiny kitchen pantry, 1 walk in closet in the entire house, 2 drawers in my kitchen and a few cabinets), and did not know where to keep anything. We spent a lot of time out of the house because I couldn't stand being in it!

 

It has been a sanity saver having all the space that we have now, because there's a place for everything. More space does not necessarily equal more stuff, I feel like we have a good balance.

 

:iagree:

I used to live in a 400 square foot house. At the time it was just me and oldest dd but it still wasn't comfortable. No tub, only a stand-up shower, no counter space in the kitchen, apartment size fridge, no storage.

 

We now live in 750 square feet with 5 of us and a large dog. It works okay but still not comfortable. Not enough bedrooms and the ones we have are too small, still no counter space, no closets, no storage. We could get rid of some stuff but there's a minimum of stuff that is needed, especially homeschooling young children. I hate not having anyplace to put my books, I hate that oldest dd hasn't been able to have her dollhouse that my mother built for her out and now she's too old for it. I hate that we don't have a table to sit at and eat. It's hard to keep clean because there is no place to put things. Any ongoing projects, in progress books, paperwork that is needed - all of it sits out. I can't do laundry and cook or do dishes at the same time. Doing laundry means moving stuff out from in front of the washer/dryer in a closet/nook. Moving it means it has to sit right in front of the stove and dishwasher and blocks access to both. Can you tell I really hate this?

 

I think when it comes to small spaces, storage can make a big difference. We don't have an attic or a basement so our 750sq feet is it. We are getting ready to rebuild but we're still not going huge - 1800 square feet.

[DarlaS]

We moved into a 1,000 sq ft home a few years ago and had to trade our king for a full. We've actually had no trouble at all adjusting ~ I think I might even like the full more.

 

We downsized from king to queen. Much cheaper mattresses in that size. If I were skinnier & dh threw off less heat, we could go smaller. He's like a furnace though--and I'm not as small as I used to be (Actually, neither of us is...:tongue_smilie:).

[DarlaS]

I saw this video this morning of a homeschool family that lives in a 320 shotgun house. There is a video tour of it. It was really interesting. I liked it, but I don't think my 5 kids would!

 

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/06/01/video-family-lives-in-320-square-foot-shotgun-shack/?ncid=webmail

 

 

All I could think was, they spent $20k on that, and their kid doesn't even have a room he can stand up in. It also looks like a good strong wind would carry it off (It's narrowness gives this impression most of all.). She said it was just under 8' wide. 10' or 12' would have not cost much more.

 

With a very small house, I would prefer at least a generously sized outdoor living area with a partially roofed & screened in porch. If I lived in that climate, I'd probably be doing most of my cooking & eating outdoors.

[Granny_Weatherwax]

DH and I lived in a shotgun home when we were first married. It was the home we took our DD to after she was born. Ours was about 600 square feet.

[SailorMom]

I actually would love that.

I mean - I love what we have done with our house, we've put a lot into it.

But it is 3000 sq feet.... and I'm tired of cleaning it, maintaining it, working on it, etc. We also have a pool, and a huge backyard. It is a lot of work., and a lot of money.

I think it takes getting to this, and living "large" for a while to realize how much better living simply was. If the housing market was better, and we had any chance of selling, I would totally do what they have done - well - we have two sons, so perhaps 500 sq ft :)

DH and I plan on retiring on a sailboat that will have about 300 sq st of space inside. I have to say - I'm really looking forward to it!

[Scuff]

:iagree:

 

 

 

I have lived in a small space and a big space. I was stressed in the old, small house- everything was always a mess, I had very little storage space (a tiny kitchen pantry, 1 walk in closet in the entire house, 2 drawers in my kitchen and a few cabinets), and did not know where to keep anything. We spent a lot of time out of the house because I couldn't stand being in it!

 

It has been a sanity saver having all the space that we have now, because there's a place for everything. More space does not necessarily equal more stuff, I feel like we have a good balance.

 

Yup. Hence why I can't even watch that without feeling claustrophobic. Earlier in our marriage it would have seemed like an adventure. We've lived 11 years in 850 sf. It's been doable, but with 3 kids packed into one room, ugh. Now we have another 600 sf upstairs (and another kid) and it's about perfect. Still small enough to encourage us to declutter and live withing our means and not be a hassle to clean. But big enough for the things we do need. (You can only declutter so much! There is a bare minimum a family needs!) I don't have dreams of discovering an extra room anymore. I would not be comfortable even visiting that house. (perhaps I've developed issues. lol)

[JennyD]

Yup. Hence why I can't even watch that without feeling claustrophobic. Earlier in our marriage it would have seemed like an adventure. We've lived 11 years in 850 sf. It's been doable, but with 3 kids packed into one room, ugh. Now we have another 600 sf upstairs (and another kid) and it's about perfect. Still small enough to encourage us to declutter and live withing our means and not be a hassle to clean. But big enough for the things we do need. (You can only declutter so much! There is a bare minimum a family needs!) I don't have dreams of discovering an extra room anymore. I would not be comfortable even visiting that house. (perhaps I've developed issues. lol)

 

I'm right there with you. We've spent years in various tiny NYC apartments and at this point I have no affection left at all for for small space living. There's nowhere to put anything (out-of-season clothing, winter blankets, etc.), no outdoor space, we're all on top of one another all winter long, and I am so, so, SO sick of things falling on my head when I open a kitchen cabinet!!! Um, guess I've developed issues too. :D

[MrsMe]

As someone who has 3 sheds housing junk now, I could live in those 3 sheds easily, placing them with a center courtyard. I also could spend less by insulating and running pipes myself. It seems like it would be easier to take a two car garage and do this instead of $300+ sq feet.

 

I also have an issue with dirty laundry in my kitchen. But the overview of it, is that I could easily do this utilizing their ideas, but on a larger scale. Let's say, 700-1000 sq feet assuming "I" built it using space saving ideas. There's something to be said for the way RV's work.

 

I'd have put my laundry in my bathroom, not my kitchen. The walls would have built ins, for books, an adjoining family closet and a jack/jill bathroom..or at least a shared sink and shower, with separate toilets.

 

Like Little House on the Praire....I could live in that no problem...of course with a door or two on the bedrooms & and indoor bathroom. That alone, would be plenty!

 

I love the thought of no mortgage!

[MrsMe]

All I could think was, they spent $20k on that, and their kid doesn't even have a room he can stand up in. It also looks like a good strong wind would carry it off (It's narrowness gives this impression most of all.). She said it was just under 8' wide. 10' or 12' would have not cost much more.

 

 

 

I agree...10-12 feet would be better for not that much more. Not to mention being able to not have a bedroom you crawl in.

[Scuff]

Um, guess I've developed issues too. :D

 

Glad to see I'm not alone :D

[DarlaS]

I agree...10-12 feet would be better for not that much more. Not to mention being able to not have a bedroom you crawl in.

 

These kits have a 960 sf house for $28k. You'd have to build it yourself though. Not that hard to do if you have more time than money:

 

http://www.firstdaycottage.com/Main.html

 

Going back to simpler homes is a great idea for many who have discovered more is not always better--because it isn't. I just don't think it's necessary to take it to a "newsworthy" extreme by moving into something so super tiny. (Great for them if they love it, I just don't feel guilty for living in a more typical house.)

 

What next? Family of 8 moves into an 8' x8' chicken coop? :lol:

[Scuff]

lol everyone has they're 8 sf to sit in.