Live Efficiently – Tips
You don’t have to live in a trailer to live more efficiently! It’s about living smarter, perhaps smaller, or closer to work, school and play. It’s about having just enough space for yourself, your possessions, and no more. Why wonder around a ten bedroom home if there’s only two of you? Use your space wisely — you’ll probably need less of it — and you’ll cut your costs too.
EFFICIENT FOOTPRINT
Live Smaller
The average home in America has more than doubled in size since 1970, and there are more cars than drivers. Extra space takes precious resources to cool, heat, and light. When homes have more space than necessary, stuff tends to accumulate, too. How many people do you know who no longer use their garage for a car? It’s time to live smart.
Our very own ‘Junky’ Jacquie lived in a studio apartment for 22 years and loved every second. Think of IKEA’s small spaces instead of the sprawling suburban homes of America.
Live in a Tiny House
Go one step further and live in a tiny house. The tiny house movement is a growing real estate trend where people are choosing to live in home between 65-400 square feet. Living in a tiny house makes us more conscious about how we live like our purchasing and consumption delicious, and the unnecessary baggage in our lives. Visit tinyhousetalk.com to learn more about the tiny house movement and even how you could build your own!
MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE
Decorate For Double Duty
With so many people living in cities these days, design options have expanded considerably since the days of Bernadette Castro.
Remember Murphy Beds? Those can really open up a floor plan. So can sofas that pull out to a bed, ottomans with hidden storage space, and coffee tables that expand like an accordion to seat ten for dinner.
Treehugger’s Graham Hill’s 400 square foot apartment in NYC, and his LifeEdited.com website packed with resources for furnishings that do double duty will inspire you to divest yourself of every thing you don’t need — and probably won’t miss.
Declutter and Discover
Declutter and discover more space than you thought you had. Check out Jennifer’s blog post, How to De-clutter Your Home for some easy tips.
WORK FROM HOME
Commute to Work: From the Bedroom to Your Living Room!
The best commute is no commute at all. Live Smarter, Smaller and Closer by working from home or living near where you work. It is the best way to cut down on using energy in the morning (that is of course, not taking into account the energy it takes to get out of bed)!