Post Reports Why smaller houses can make us happier
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Jan 28, 2026 Michael Korn, a Washington Post climate coach and reporter who explores housing, lifestyle and climate, discusses why bigger homes do not always boost satisfaction. He covers research on size versus happiness, tradeoffs like cost and commute, household crowding thresholds, stories of downsizing, climate benefits of smaller homes, and what to prioritize when choosing where to live.
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Best Years In A Tiny NYC Apartment
- Michael Korn's friend Jay raised two kids in a 500 sq ft NYC apartment and called those years the best of her life.
- The tight space created closeness and meaningful social life despite inconveniences.
Bigger Homes Don't Buy Lasting Happiness
- Bigger homes do not increase life satisfaction on average after the initial boost fades.
- Downsides like mortgage, maintenance and commute often offset any housing enjoyment gains.
Intangibles Outweigh Extra Square Footage
- People systematically undervalue intangible benefits like time, relationships and walkability when choosing larger homes.
- These social and time-based features often matter more for happiness than extra square footage.