Small is beautiful when it comes to homes these days. There are a number of trends that are coming together that are making people consider returning to modest sized homes.

The real estate crisis in on case in point. For several decades now the trend toward owing larger homes that made us think that we had to have a house larger than 2500 square feet to feel equal to our peers and neighbors.

Now many of those who bought homes larger than they could afford are facing foreclosure. Financial common sense seemed to have gone out the window for many young couples who bought homes twice as large as the ones their parents worked a lifetime to afford.

Along with the trend to more affordable homes because of mortgage size there are other financial reasons to own a smaller house.

A home half the size uses roughly half the electricity, water, and gas. If you are paying to heat and cool rooms that are rarely used this makes no sense.

As baby boomers who had large families become empty nesters they are starting to downsize or even choose "micro homes" that are less than 1000 square feet but with cleverly designed living spaces and storage.

The Micro Home Revolution

There are literally hundreds of designs and floor plans for micro homes that maximize storage space and offer a surprising amount of usable living space thanks to space saving appliances, storage, beds and furniture that tucks away or has multiple uses. One home that I saw in Sweden has a queen sized bed that folds into the wall while a table comes out from below. The chairs all stack neatly and fit under the rear of the sofa!

A smaller home will cost you less to insure, maintain and you will pay less property taxes. You will spend less of maintenance, pest control, septic systems, yard care, and every other home expense you can think of by choosing a micro home.

All of this money that is saved can be spend on quality of life choices such as traveling, hobbies and spoiling your grandchildren.

Micro Homes Come In All Price Ranges

Because of the amount of detail put into a typical micro home in order to maximize space, such as more complex storage and cabinet systems, the cost of a typical micro home will be slightly higher per square foot. Micro homes can be of the "plain Jane" variety, such as a simple wood framed cabin, or can be highly complex. Complex designs may include mechanized bed frames that automatically retract into the wall, even roll-away roofs for night time star gazing. Almost any kind of home, from adobe to insulated concrete form homes, can be built smaller and more intelligently when it comes to maximizing living space.

In choosing a smaller home you will be doing your wallet and the environment a favor.