The Trend – Smaller Homes & Bigger Design Style

 Guest Blog #179, Entry #659, September 14, 2011

It’s hard to believe that 50 years ago, bigger was better and more popular. Larger homes, cars, everyone wanted to bigger, because they assumed it was better. As the years have gone on, the reality is that our world is over populated, the environment is in crisis, and smaller is becoming the new home trend.

Today, my Guest Blogger, The Tapco Group shows how smaller homes don’t mean scrimping on style. While homes may be getting smaller, homeowners still love comfortability and beautiful design style!

A Sizable Home Trend

Wanting it All: Smaller Footprints & Bigger Style 

Smaller living has become the trends

 Some may call it the ‘the incredible shrinking home’ or the apparent demise of the McMansion. Statistics show that American homes are decreasing in size, down to their lowest level since 2004. Even with less living space, you want to live in a beautiful, comfortable home remains alive and strong.

While economic uncertainty has driven home-size preferences, urges to live sustainably, to live in or near cities and to have smaller heating and cooling bills all play significant roles in the smaller-home trend.

Larger homes, especially for empty-nesters or small families, can have rooms that are almost never used. Some building industry professionals cite that a room utilized less than 30 % of the time is unnecessary.

According to the Census Bureau, the average size of U.S. single-family homes completed in the fourth quarter of 2009 was 2,327 sq. ft., compared to 2,561 sq. ft. at the beginning of 2009. The last time this figure was below 2,400 sq. ft. was six years ago. A 2009 National Association of Home Builders survey also found that 9 in 10 builders were building or planning smaller homes.

“A personalized, comfortable home is more important than ever, especially those of us interested in downsizing from a larger home or building a right-size home to suit all our needs,” said Jonathan Wierengo, director of marketing for The Tapco Group^®. “Distinctive appeal is a large focus for these homeowners. With exterior products such as Atlantic Premium Shutters^® and The Foundry^® Specialty Siding, we’re always looking for ways that you can utilize brilliant, uncommon color and customizable accents to deliver the unique touch that defines ‘home’.”

According to an NAHB survey, 91% of respondents want an energy efficient home. Along with such practical features, we all still want appeal and creature comforts, such as the 65% desiring a front porch. The Tapco Group’s Jonathan Wierengo offers this advice for personalizing efficient, smaller-footprint homes with standout style.

Accentuate standard features in your home

Accentuate standard features

Surround windows and doors with functional accessories and design details. Window headers, shutters and door surrounds deliver vibrancy and elegance. Atlantic Premium Shutters complement virtually any window, from arch-top windows to customized small, fixed windows. The shutters feature enhanced dimension with fully functioning hardware. They can also be customized with cut-out shapes or color-matching finishes for the ultimate personal touch. We also offer a line of storm-rated shutters.

Turn an afterthought into an eye-catcher

Roof gables can become a canvas. They can highlight a small fraction of gable areas or whole gables with contrasting dimension that breathes life into exteriors. Foundry Siding’s variety of premium vinyl Shakes, Shingles and Shapes are available in dozens of bold colors. Unique Weathered Collection colors feature a versatile range of hues that dramatically evokes the look of time-tested, weathered cedar.

With easy-installing, long-lasting accessories such as these, smaller-footprint homes gain low-maintenance curb appeal and measurable distinction.

Smaller homes can have big design appeal

Atlantic Premium Shutters and The Foundry are divisions of The Tapco Group, a U.S. Green Building Council Member. For more information, visit The Tapco Group,  and follow us on Twitter – @Tapcogroup.

The Tapco Group is the building industry’s leading provider of easy to install, premium innovative interior and exterior products. Serving the building industry since 1961, Tapco specializes in the manufacturing of stone veneer, roofing, siding, trim, tool systems, egress systems and siding components. The products combine versatile application, durability, vast color palettes and uncommon authenticity to exceed the expectations of contractors and homeowners. Tapco delivers Innovation Born from Original Thinking™.

For more small home living ideas on Stagetecture click here.