Overview of Post Reports — "Why smaller houses can make us happier"
This episode (hosted by Elahe Izadi) features Michael Korn, The Washington Post’s climate coach, who reports on why bigger houses don’t necessarily increase life satisfaction. Drawing on academic studies and personal stories, the episode argues that after basic shelter needs are met, square footage has weak or even negative effects on overall happiness. Instead, social connections, neighborhood quality, time, and the trade-offs of bigger homes (cost, commute, maintenance, social disruption) matter far more.
Key takeaways
- Bigger homes do not reliably make people happier. Initial satisfaction from a new, larger home tends to fade; life satisfaction often returns to prior levels or can decline.
- The main currency of happiness is social relationships and other intangibles (time with family, nearby friends, walkability), not absolute house size.
- Household composition matters: happiness tends to peak in households of about four to six people; living alone or with many others often correlates with lower overall happiness.
- There’s no universal “ideal” square footage, but overcrowding becomes stressful for many below roughly 150 sq ft per person.
- Relative status (“keeping up with the Joneses”) influences home-size decisions more than absolute benefits — larger homes can trigger a “McMansion effect” where nobody is better off because neighbors keep building bigger.
Research & evidence (highlights)
- Historical U.S. trend: average new single-family home ~2,400 sq ft today (up from ~1,600 sq ft in 1970). Average household size has fallen to about 2 people, resulting in roughly 940 sq ft per person — nearly double 1970.
- Household happiness study (Gerardo Levia): happiest households often have 4–6 members; strong family/social networks in some regions (e.g., Latin America) raise happiness independent of income.
- McMansion effect (Clement Bellet): well-being gains from a larger house are eroded when larger houses exist nearby — status competition reduces net benefit.
- Use patterns: studies show people regularly use only ~30% of their home (mainly living room, dining room, kitchen); motion tracking finds ~70% of waking time in those core spaces.
Practical questions to ask when choosing a home
- Neighborhood first: Will this place facilitate relationships, community, walkability, and daily routines you value?
- Quality over quantity: Which features matter most (proximity to friends/family, affordability, walkability) vs. nice-to-have square footage?
- What are the true costs? Include mortgage, maintenance, utilities, commute time, and social disruption — not just purchase price.
- Household needs: How many people will live there? How much private vs. shared space do you need?
- Room usage: Which rooms will you actually use daily? Could a layout change or a bathroom addition solve the main inconvenience?
- Climate impact: Would a smaller home reduce energy use and commuting emissions?
Notable insights & quotes
- “The currency of happiness ultimately is social relationships.” — Michael Korn
- Comparison matters more than absolute gains: people often prefer to be better off relative to neighbors than to maximize absolute wealth.
- Stadium analogy: when everyone competes to “see over” each other (bigger houses, bigger incomes), no one benefits.
Climate and environmental considerations
- Smaller homes generally use less energy and often involve shorter commutes — both are major contributors to personal emissions.
- Downsizing can reduce environmental impact significantly if it preserves community proximity and reduces car dependency.
Actionable recommendations
- Before upgrading purely for space, evaluate neighborhood trade-offs (time, social ties, commute).
- Make a prioritized feature list (must-haves vs. luxuries). Favor proximity, affordability, and walkability over extra rooms you’ll rarely use.
- Consider targeted renovations (e.g., an extra bathroom) before moving to a larger home.
- Factor in household size when estimating needed space (avoid under- or overestimating per-person needs).
- Remember psychological factors: be mindful of status-driven choices and the temporary boost of “newness.”
Short summary of the host/guest perspective
Elahe Izadi opens from her own 900 sq ft perspective; Michael Korn researched the topic while balancing life with toddlers and a dog in a ~950 sq ft flat. Korn concludes he’s content staying put (with a possible bathroom addition) after recognizing what truly contributes to his family’s happiness.