Oct 20, 2008
Square Feet Per Person
By: Kevin Buchanan
Interesting topic at the 100k House blog:
The best way to start is by gaining a little historical perspective. The average American home in 1950 was 983 square feet (source) and, according to Census data (PDF), the average American household size was 3.37 people. This means that in 1950 the average American had 292 sfpp (square feet per person).
In the years that followed home size gradually grew and household size gradually fell until, in 2006, the average American household of 2.61 (source) shared a house of 2,349 square feet (source). So, in 2006, the average American had 900 sfpp, and that number has certainly grown in the last two years. I have heard average home size numbers approaching 2,800 square feet for 2008, but I couldn’t find a reliable source to quote.
So, seeing this wide range, the question remains . . . how much space do we need? Has the increase in sfpp seen a correlating increase in the quality of life? Are we three times more comfortable than we were in 1950? Are we three times happier? Could we, perhaps, manage to live in slightly smaller spaces than those with which we have become accustomed, particularly if it proves to have a positive impact on our environment, traffic congestion and other quality of life issues?…
…Our 1,200 square foot 100k House offers, to the average 2.6 person household, 462 sfpp (significantly more than was enjoyed in 1950), and yet we are constantly met with opposition based solely on size. Our entire housing industry, from building, to furnishing, to financing, is bent in the direction of more, but is it necessary? Does it help us actually live better lives?
You know what? I find that interesting. A recent study has shown that Americans currently have the most stuff they have ever had, yet we are generally unhappier than we were years ago. I live in a 3,600 sq. ft. home, and to be honest, it is a lot of maintenance and silly for the fact the formal living room is NEVER used. Back in the 1950s, Americans seemed to have been VERY happy and content with their smaller and more simple homes. My family does have a lot of stuff, it seems, and to me it’s just clutter. I aspire to have a smaller home off W 7th or Camp Bowie with a minimalistic approach to my interior decor. To tie all this in with your post, I believe home square footage can be included in that list of excess “things” we Americans have today.
We have a 2200 sq. foot house with a family of 4. Sometimes I wish for some of the extras that come with newer homes (closet space, a master that’s not in the middle of the house or a master bath) but for the most part we are fine with what we have. I love the book The Not so Big House by Sarah Susanka. My goal is the implement some of the ways of living in a not so big house in my not so big house.
As far as the to much stuff issue I totally agree! There are mini storages places on every corner these days. My thought is that except for short term storage of stuff that eventually will find a home, anything that deep in storage needs to find a new home! I don’t even like having stuff in the attic or garage unless it’s seasonal.
I think everyone should have some sort of mini storage or “POD” to act as a “halfway house” between cluttering your home and leaving your possession (through Craig’s list, donation, etc.) If you are not sure if you need an item, ship it off for a while. If you never look for the item, redistribute it to someone who might want it. I loaded the contents of my garage and basement into a POD in July and, apart from Halloween decorations and paintbrushes, have needed nothing from it.
I agree with AnnZ,
There are too many self-storage places all over. Why pay $50.00 a month for $200.00 worth of stuff? Think about it, after 4 months, you have paid the exact amount as the stuff inside your storage place is worth. Sell or give away your old stuff if you’re not going to use it! I am in the process of doing that right now. Selling some on eBay and thrift stores and donating other things. I plan to rid my family of the clutter we don’t need.
We live in a 2100 square foot house, with 6 people, so we are close to the 50′s standard. A long time ago we decided having time to do what we wanted was more important than money, and as a result we haven’t had any need for mini-storage, except when we lived overseas.
We used to have a bigger house in Fort worth but is was farther out from the center of town. that drove me crazy, because every time I had to go somewhere, I had to drive in to town and then drive to the place. We lack a lot of amenities in our current house, I think, you know, the big bathrooms, etc (house was built in ’52) but overall, I don’t miss them. What I love about this place is it’s so close to stuff. And things don’t break nearly so often. The old house, built in the 70′s, workmen were in there constantly.
974 sq ft is home to both our family and our family business.