Americans cut back on living space in homes

Over the past three decades, the square footage of new homes has increased by approximately 55 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Average square footage has grown from 1,500 in 1970 to 2,330 square feet in 2004.

However, design and architectural experts see a burgeoning plateau on the horizon based on a declining interest in super-sized homes in favor of smaller, more thoughtfully designed homes.

According to a recent survey conducted by Lowe's and Harris Interactive, homeowners are split over how much space is enough. Nearly half, or 46 percent of all homeowners admit to wasting up to half of their home. On the flip side, 42 percent feel that they have no wasted space.

"It's really about quality versus quantity. Americans want homes more manageable in size to reduce upkeep, lower utility costs and ease the burden of furnishing. They want all of this without sacrificing unique design, quality building materials and luxurious upgrades," said Melissa Birdsong, trend and design director for Lowe's, in a June 24 news release.

The architecture and design community is responding to these desires by building homes that marry upscale tastes with more intimate design touches.

Home court statistics

Between 1950 and 2004, home square footage expanded from less than 1,000 to an average of 2,330 roughly the same size as a U.S. regulation singles tennis court. Despite this 268 percent increase in home size, the size of the average family declined by nearly 20 percent (from 3.1 people to 2.6).

The following is a statistical breakdown of what American homeowners consider enough space, according to Trendex, Lowe's survey of 500 homeowners:

A majority (33 percent) believes every family member should have their own room, and 17 percent believe they need at least one more bedroom than they have children.

Eighteen percent say they require two or more living spaces, such as a living room or a recreational room.

Sixteen percent say homes should have one bathroom for every two bedrooms. In 1950, just 1 percent of homes had two and a half bathrooms or more, compared to about 56 percent today.

Custom living

In addition to home sizes expanding, tastes and desires to customize have grown. When buying a new home, 41 percent of survey respondents said they would be willing to do a great deal of work, such as major remodeling, to make their home more personalized.

Lowe's Companies Inc. posted sales of $30.8 billion in fiscal year 2003. The company, which has more than 975 stores in 45 states including two stores in Springfield has its headquarters in Mooresville, S.C.