Simple Living

The Tiny House Movement describes the architectural and social trend that advocates living simply in small or “tiny” homes. Frugal home owners who are sick of the clutter are buying “tiny” homes, which have 500 square feet (or less) of living space – quite a comparison to the average American home, which is 2,600 square feet. Tiny homes are often comprised of one room and a loft space and are usually built on trailers to allow the flexibility to move from one location to another.

According to TIME magazine, the average size of new American homes has swelled by 50 percent since 1970, despite the fact the average family size has decreased within the same period. More space equals the ability to accommodate more stuff, but the Tiny House Movement has shaken up this cluttered residence trend.

Which age groups are catching onto this trend? It may not be who you think.

Aging baby boomers are finding themselves to be empty nesters, having already raised their children (with countless useless items stored away to prove it) and are ready for a change. Also, those in their late 20s and early 30s are catching onto the Tiny House Movement, spending their money on experiences rather than a home.

Debbie Amoroso wasn’t planning to move into a 500-square-foot “tiny” house, but was still a little nervous when picking out her brand new apartment at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill. Frankly, the term “downsize” gave her the willies. Although she was getting a little overwhelmed at home, she wasn’t ready to give up all her space, and most importantly, her things.

“I was wondering what I would do with all my stuff,” Debbie said. “I began to worry if I had enough space to host family holidays without all my big pieces of furniture.”

As soon as Debbie moved in, her fears disappeared.

She used her apartment’s floor plan to see which furniture would fit and ended up keeping her most-used items from her previous home. She let her children choose what they wanted, and even purchased new items to fit the modern yet homey look she desired for her apartment.

“I realized, even though my living room is spacious and has just enough room for when my family visits, I don’t have to host holidays anymore. I can do what I want and be free. Not like I didn’t enjoy doing it before,” she laughs.

The lights of Debbie’s life, her 5-year-old granddaughter and 9-year-old grandson, visit a few times a month. She prepares their favorite dish, macaroni and cheese, and the kids love her big comfy couch and spinning bar stools.

As her family dines and toasts together at her breakfast bar, Debbie smiles and knows she made the right choice in selecting her apartment. “I’ve got the perfect amount of space for me and my favorite possessions, including my little balls of energy.”

A “little ball of energy” could be used to describe both her grandchildren and Debbie herself.

Room to stow away trinkets and things she’ll never use again seems less important to Debbie now that she’s active with Masonic Village’s theater club, residents’ association and dining with friends. “I couldn’t believe all the activities that were available when I first moved here. It’s like a cruise ship. There’s always something to do,” Debbie said, “I would know. I cruise a lot.”

“By far, one of the most common objections we hear is ‘What am I going to do with all my stuff?’” Bridget Harris, director of sales and marketing at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill, said.

“Sometimes de-cluttering is harder than you think. We have some people who live out of boxes for months.”

Masonic Villages marketing staff know it can be hard to simplify home life and do their best to help with room planning by providing suggestions, floor plans and measurements.

“Sometimes, it’s just getting someone else’s opinion that makes all the difference,” Bridget said, “even if you don’t have the same taste.”

“Knowing their interests and talking people through what the space could become with their own personal flare can really open their minds,” Kelly Eakin, director of sales and marketing at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, said. “There’s a certain amount of relief to that. It encourages people to consider getting rid of their clutter. De-cluttering usually starts with the mind and commitment.”

Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity.

“Purchasing organizational containers that can fit on tall shelves, which would normally be unused, or underneath beds can be a huge space saver,” Bridget said. “Buying additional shelving for closets can also allow you to be creative. I’ve seen two residents make their walk-in closet into a home office.”

Plus, most living options across the Masonic Villages come with additional storage units for items such as luggage or holiday decorations. Items that are still valued can be stored without clogging up living space.

“Take all the brand new things you are saving – the fancy nightgown, the new sheets, the gourmet jelly, the cashmere gloves – whatever it is that you have had for years but have not used because it was too good, and start using it,” said Rochelle Welkowitz, active adult and seniors transition specialist for Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty in Lancaster. Rochelle provides advice to incoming Masonic Village at Elizabethtown residents.

As a bonus, a smaller living space can actually help reduce clutter. If a home doesn’t have “extra rooms” or a large basement or storage area where things can accumulate, the incentive is much greater to stay organized and tidy. There isn’t space to shut doors on boxes of old paperwork, unused furniture and tubs of clothing.

Ultimately, de-cluttering is good for any sized home. At varying locations, Masonic Villages offers a wide range of living options including apartments (ranging from studio to three-bedroom), cottages and villas.

In the end, both Bridget and Kelly agree, most residents are relieved and extremely satisfied with the space they have chosen.

“It’s a new beginning,” Bridget said. “No matter the size of the new home, if it has order and organization, it can be a pride piece to show off.”

Leo Babauta, blogger and author of “The Effortless Life” and other books, shares tips for those who want to declutter but don’t know exactly where to start. He suggests beginning with five-minute sessions. You may only make a small dent in your mountain of collected items, but in no time, you’ll be on your way to simple living.

Take a moment to look at one of your rooms and visualize how you want it to look. Concern yourself with three areas: furniture, flat surfaces and floors. Look for unneeded furniture, things cluttering the floor and papers and other randomized items that are covering surfaces such as tables and counter tops. Once you’ve visualized the room uncluttered, you may have all the motivation you need to start!

According to Babauta, papers often account for a lot of clutter. Designate an in-box tray, and don’t put down papers anywhere but that spot. Plus, it may prove helpful when you’re looking for a receipt or piece of mail later.

Spend a few minutes pulling out clothes from your closet that you haven’t worn in a few months. If they’re out of season, store them somewhere else. If you know you’ll never wear it again, donate or consign it. This will leave your closet with plenty of space for the things you actually wear.

Mentally prepare yourself to de-clutter. Maybe you don’t feel like taking on the big project now, but if you take the time to schedule a weekend next month, you can find more hands to pitch in, get donation boxes and trash bags ready and plan a trip to a charity to drop off your things. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

Sometimes the clutter doesn’t come from just us – it’s from the people we live with or the people who visit. An uncluttered home is your vision of simplicity. If you take a few minutes to explain that to family and frequent visitors, you have a better chance of maintaining your organization.