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Big Ideas for Small Houses

Multiuse rooms, built-in furniture, and carefully orchestrated sightlines are just a few of the tools that can help you to get the most out of the space you have

by Russell Hamlet

The simplest, most effective way to reduce a home’s energy usage in the long run is to reduce its size from the outset. But if you're worried that a small house will just seem cramped, architect Russell Hamlet offers evidence to the contrary. The reality is that a small house doesn’t have to appear or feel small, especially if you consider Hamlet's 10 thoughtful design techniques, which include using transitional spaces, creating contrasts in light and color, designing multipurpose rooms, and using illusion to your advantage. They comprise an overall approach that can make a small house seem larger and more gracious than its actual dimensions.