The Big Picture: Canadians Living Large in Small Spaces
I remember a few years ago when reports of 500-square foot condos started me wondering, “Where does all the stuff go?” That was when I lived in Toronto, in a spacious two-floor flat with so much storage space we had a drawer dedicated to napkin rings; now, I live in a Vancouver condominium where there is no room for a dining room table on which to display those napkin rings. Data released in August reported that it costs around (depending on dwelling type) 92 per cent of the average family’s monthly income to own a home in Vancouver. That is an overwhelming statement on the state of housing affordability for many Canadians; however, an ingenious few have started a trend toward embracing the value of Home over the inflated value of square footage and in doing so have inspired me to stop pining for more closet space and make the most of what I do have: a comfortable family abode that satisfies our needs rather than indulges our wants.
The Big Picture takes a look at some Canadians who have embraced the pleasures and pains of living in smaller spaces and looks at related cause and effect topics rounded out by various media sources from across the country. What is truly amazing is that many of the solutions seem downright spacious thanks to smart planning and use of space. What do you think, how small could you go? Continue reading “The Big Picture: Canadians Living Large in Small Spaces” »
