Don’t build a bigger house. We know, it goes against the grain of what almost anyone would tell you. Why would you intentionally build a smaller house? Isn’t building new and bigger always the right decision? 

While it’s true building bigger can be beneficial, it doesn’t always have to be the case. With the cost of building a home today getting higher and higher, we’d like to propose to you 5 reasons you might want to consider a smaller floorplan next time you’re looking at building your new home. 

1. Shrink Your Space, Shrink Your Costs 

How does saving money on almost every aspect of building your house sound? Pretty good right! Smaller homes generally require less time to build, less volume of materials, less drafting fees and a smaller mortgage, savings you’ll feel in your wallet. 

Along with construction costs, smaller houses will also save you money in the long run. Having a smaller floorplan means less rooms to heat and light up, leading to savings on energy fees, insurance costs, taxes and more. 

If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of space, you might just end up with a bit more space filled in your wallet. 

2. Incentive to Avoid Clutter, and Overbuying

We all most likely have that item purchase we regret. Maybe it’s an Instant Pot that collects dust, or a treadmill you swear wasn’t a clothes hanger last time you checked. Nevertheless, having less unused space in your home can help you to avoid making big impulse purchases. When you must really consider if that next appliance you’ve been eying up will fit, it can help to force you to think more thoroughly about if the item is something you need and if you’ll use it enough to justify the space it takes up. There are even studies that show having less clutter in your home leads to increased satisfaction and lower day to day stress¹. If clutter or impulse shopping is your enemy, then a smaller space might be just the remedy you need. 

3. Less Maintenance and Housekeeping 

If you’re the type of person that dreads having to clean your home or perform routine maintenance, then less space could end up being your best friend. Imagine not having to clean that washroom that no one uses, having 30% less stuff to dust, or simply having less square footage to clean and maintain. Plus, shortening the time it takes to do your routine home maintenance and day-to-day tasks could leave you with more free time to do things you want! 

4. Higher End Finishes 

Another thing to consider when purchasing a smaller home is some of your savings on construction cost can instead be put towards higher end appliances and finishes. Would you trade a smaller kitchen for that granite countertop you’ve always wanted? Or how about a smaller closet, or for a very nice wooden dresser? If you’re the type of person with higher end tastes, then sacrificing some space to upgrade your surroundings might be a worthwhile tradeoff. It can also help to lower the cost of maintenance on the home in the long run, since you’ll be able to use sturdier materials. 

5. More Time and Money to Focus on You. 

The last (and most important) benefit to a smaller house is simply having more time and money to do what you really want. With less maintenance and stress about cost of living, you can focus more time and energy on doing the things that make you, you. Would you rather pay $3000 in extra property taxes on space you don’t use, or would you prefer a trip to Europe? Expense and time tradeoffs like this are certainly something to consider. 

6. Bonus Item:  

If you ever decide to change neighbourhoods, upgrade your home, or do something crazy like move to Panama, it’s statistically easier to sell a smaller home! Small homes are more desirable due to their reasonable costs to acquire and maintain and will spend less time on the market than their bigger counterparts.  

Considering the idea that a smaller home might be for you? Then Shane Homes can help! Thanks to our Love it of Customize It program, not only can we make homes larger, but we can also shrink them to fit your floorplan needs. We offer a variety of models to choose from at varying square footages, plus with our amazing in-house design team on the case, you can thoughtfully design your house to fit the lifestyle you want to live. From frame to finish, we can help you build the house you’ve always wanted. 

1. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/well/mind/clutter-stress-procrastination-psychology.html#:~:text=The%20findings%20add%20to%20a,of%20cortisol%2C%20a%20stress%20hormone.