Why small is beautiful

Are you going to build a house? And is your brief to the architect to build bigger than your neighbours? Do you like big spaces? Do you insist on marble floors? Read on…

• A big house means a huge carpet area. While the cost goes up, it is also high maintenance. Back breaking work for you when the maid decides to take leave.
• Marble floors anyone? Marble stains easily. And over a period of time tends to absorb dust and changes its color. SO your snow white marble floor few years down the line won’t remain white. Marble can also get uncomfortable cool in cold weather.
• A 12’ by 10’ sized bedroom is comfortable with a single fan. A larger bedroom will require more fans else you will have very hot corners in the summer. A longer room is better than a larger room. So it’s better to build a 10’x 14’ room than a 12’x12’ room. The light and ventilation is more effective.
• A big kitchen is a nightmare if there are only 1 or 2 people working. Keep in mind the cooking triangle – wash stove and fridge. The closer these are the more efficient the kitchen.
• You can make a room look bigger with light colored walls, and mirrors.
  Splashes of color on the wall is a new trend and look chic. But you will get bored very soon and the wall colors are a little difficult to change. Instead, invest on multi colored upholstery and curtains.
• Keep the furniture few and less bulky that doesn’t take up too much space. And are easier to move around.
• A person is more comfortable in a room whose space is proportional to the proportions of the individual. A study where a person is likely to be alone reading a book or writing personal matter should be small. Imagine having to write in a room that is the size of an auditorium. A person gets lost in too big a room. A big room is okay if you are expecting many people to use it. The spaces in a house should be intimate. A long living room can be divided into many conversational corners which are more personal and intimate rather than one long seating area.
• Generally the cross ventilation in a small house is much better than a big house thus making it warmer.
• Think of a house in terms of spaces rather than rooms.
• Higher ceiling keeps the interiors cooler. Place the windows strategically for more light while cutting heat. Blindly giving windows all over increases the heat quotient of a house. Windows should be accessible so they can be opened for cleaning and ventilation.
• Don’t get into the trap of building many lofts. These tend to store dead storage which is best disposed off. If you must build a few, make sure you can access these comfortably.
• Provide a walk in closet near the entrance to the house where you can keep all footwear, coats and umbrellas et al.