Tight Squeeze In the Living Room

Designers and Buyers Get Creative as Space Shrinks

By Renae Merle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 27, 2008; Page F01

It's not just that an iPod can replace the record and CD players or that flat-screen televisions don't need to be hidden behind entertainment-center doors. Living rooms are emerging from the housing bubble leaner.

The shrinkage has been caused, in part, by declining home values and plummeting sales, encouraging builders to scale back, as well as a revolt against the era of McMansions. Heating two-story entryways and the unused fifth bedroom has fallen out of favor as homeowners opt instead for cozy and functional, architects and builders said.

"As people get away from talking about square footage and look towards what fits their lifestyle, it brings their square footage down a bit," said Josh Rosenthal of Rosenthal Homes, a Rockville custom-home builder. "They need a house that meets the lifestyle of their family, and they find that can fit into a smaller envelope than they perceive."

The average new condominium in the Washington area is more than 100 square feet smaller than the average existing one, and builders said they are doing more with less. For people living in these spaces, or trying to sell them, the crunch can present a creative challenge.

Source: Washington Post. View Article.

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