Are Micro Homes Still a Thing?

By Chris Petry

Even before Covid, and the resulting economic crisis, micro homes were everywhere. Whether that’s attributable to growing economic concerns like inflation and the cost of housing, a greater awareness of humanity’s carbon footprint, or the wholesale embrace of architectural minimalism, miniscule homes have received a lot of coverage in recent years.
 


According to this statistic from January, 2023 by Motley Fool, the average size of a single-family home in America sits at about 2,014 sq ft. That number is highly variable depending on where you live. Homeowners in the Rural South or Midwest might enjoy square footage twice that of the average New Yorker, and for far less money. So, it’s no surprise that the small home trend seems to have the most traction in and around major metropolitan areas, where space is limited and mortgage rates and monthly rent fees are higher.


 
So why have dimensions for new home constructions actually increased by 150% since 1980, despite the average household having fewer inhabitants? There are a number of theories that attempt to explain that. One, it’s a uniquely American trend. Because homes in the good ol’ US of A are viewed primarily as financial assets, homeowners logically conclude that a larger home has more resale value. Another explanation is that the relative cheapness and availability of building materials resulted in a, “we have it, why not use it” mentality in the home construction business. Or perhaps, consumers simply wanted larger homes and the ease of access to those affordable materials drove the demand.
 
So, if home sizes have actually been increasing, what’s with all the attention on micro homes in the news over the last several years? As we discussed in the first paragraph, homebuying attitudes have changed. Homes do in fact cost more. More to purchase and more to fix. So, it stands to reason that a smaller home is more cost effective.  There’s also the environmental impact, something society as a whole has become more aware of. Just take a look at the comments section on any article discussing Taylor Swift’s private jet, John Travolta’s home airport hangar, or Tom Selleck’s avocado farm. Larger properties use more water and energy and require, upfront, more materials to construct. As result, their environmental footprint is much greater.


 
There’s also no denying minimalism has been having a moment. Visit even a 2.5-million-dollar McMansion these days and you’ll notice one thing: nobody has stuff anymore. Sure, there’s a potted plant here, a Jackson Pollock knockoff there but in general, most people seem to have become comfortable possessing fewer material possessions. Less stuff means you need less space. I’ve heard there’s a certain freedom in disavowing materialism but if that freedom means staring at a blank white wall sans my record collection, I’ll stay comfortably shackled!


 
While this humble author eschews contemporary trends, others do not. Article after article discussing the rise, affordability, and practicality of almost puzzlingly-small homes is filled with “hacks” that new micro homeowners can implement to make the most of their downsized dwellings. These include taking advantage of the entire vertical perimeter of the home by placing the bedroom in a loft area and installing shelves and cabinets only accessible by a fixed or sliding ladder to compensate for the loss of floor space. ExtraSpace.com lists a number of innovative solutions, including turning stairs into pull out drawers, creating storage under seating areas, opting for foldout furniture, and wall mounting light fixtures. In fact, and this comes to our last reason as to why micro homes have been trending, there seems to be an almost friendly competition at play here. Who can create the most visually stunning, but also pragmatic, living quarters with the least amount of space? If that’s what you’re going for, then by all means. Worst case scenario? You’ve got yourself a fairly attractive Airbnb to rent out.  
 
While it’s unlikely that the vast majority of us will be living in a home purchased on Amazon.com anytime soon, or repurposing our tool shed into quarters fitting of a king, you never know what the future holds. If you’re looking for a new home, of any size, be sure to reach out to an agent from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty.