Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better

In America, the prevailing wisdom is that bigger is better. This is a country of suburbs and that allows for more space and thus bigger houses are built. That gives people the ability to acquire more stuff and bigger stuff. Bigger TVs can fill family rooms. Bigger beds can be slept in by everyone. Gigantic couches are there to be rested on. Bigger cars can be purchased and parked in bigger garages. It all seems wonderful but bigger is not necessarily better. Allow me a little of your time to try and make this argument.

We could get into the notion that the endless pursuit of stuff to fill your big house with is a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time and far from true happiness but that’s a bit heady. I’m going to try to keep most of the article in a more practical realm. For instance: living in a big house is more expensive.

It’s not necessarily more expensive to buy a big house. Depending on where you live the size of the house might not add much more cost. What gets expensive is all the costs associated with day to day living. If you’re in a big house it’s going to cost more to heat it and cool it, especially if the cost of oil keeps going up and you’re unfortunate enough to need oil heat (a significant part of the country, at this point in time). Upgrade to a house that’s bigger than you realistically need and you could be looking at thousands more a year in heating and cooling expenses alone.

It’s also going to cost more to power the house. More rooms means more things that draw power like lights, computers, televisions, etc. It might seem like a small thing but over the course of a year it can add up in a big way. Along the same lines, bigger houses almost always come with bigger yards, which means more upkeep. If you’re paying someone to do that for you then that’s an extra cost. If you’re doing it yourself then you’ll be working a whole lot more. Some of you might find that pleasant, in which case you can ignore that point. If you don’t relish the idea of mowing a big lawn every week, tending to the weeds, cleaning up leaves in the fall, taking care of the flower beds, etc, then the big yard is an issue.

If you have a family or you’re planning on having one then a big roomy house isn’t always the best idea. It’s good for everyone to have a little space when they need it, but maintaining the closeness of your family is important to strengthening the bonds you share and making them last forever. Living in a cavernous house allows people to keep their distance. It might seem like a silly thing but it makes a difference. If you’re forced into close proximity you’ll be closer to each other in an emotional way and if you want a family then you almost certainly want that experience.

It might be a personal preference thing, but big houses have never felt cozy to me. When you walk into a big place it seems regal and impressive but it lacks the warmth that a smaller family home has. That sense of welcoming warmth is wonderful and it makes a home a great place to go to. Large houses lack that because they put a premium on space over everything and that space just isn’t needed.

It’s also easier to furnish a smaller house in an effective way. You don’t need as many pieces and you can create a distinct feel for each room with minimal effort. You can’t overestimate the effect this kind of thing has on a house. Surely, at some point in your life, you’ve walked into a place that featured a lovely design and were totally impressed. That’s easier in small spaces, plus you can get really creative and make your house stand out. The best creativity comes out of necessity and when your house is smaller you have to improvise to make everything work, which is why such brilliant things can happen in small spaces.

Okay, we’re going to get a little bit loftier now. Just come along for the ride. If you have a big house with a big garage and a big basement and an attic and lots of space everywhere you’re naturally going to allow for more clutter in your life. Clutter in your life leads to clutter in your mind which leads to a general sense of apathy. You’ll step into your garage and see stuff everywhere that you don’t need anymore and you’ll momentarily think that you should really do something about all that. Then you’ll get in your car and go on your way. That little twinge of thought you had will stay with you though.

Most people never deal with those twinges and they build up over time. They gnaw at a person’s happiness and slowly drag them down to a place of discontent. Most people never think that all the clutter and junk that is filling their big house has anything to do with a sense of discontent but it’s true! Most people lack the ability to not buy stuff they really don’t need or to throw stuff out they’re not using anymore. If you live in a smaller space then you don’t have an option. If you want something new then you need to get rid of something old. Anytime you throw away or donate something you’re no longer using think of it as making room in your life for something new and wonderful.

Most of you will probably go on striving for bigger and bigger houses and there’s really nothing wrong with that. Don’t count on it making your life any easier or happier though. Consider the possibilities of living in a smaller space and the benefits it might bring you and your family.