Maximize storage for a smaller house

Often, houses with plenty of storage are smaller than those without. Opportunities to include storage exist in most rooms. In small bathrooms in particular, include additional storage by finishing the interior cavities within the walls for medicine cabinets and small shelves. Incidental bathroom items fit the 3.5-in. to 4-in. space well. For even more storage, choose a sink with a base cabinet rather than a pedestal sink.

And, don’t forget to explore areas that might otherwise be wasted, such as behind knee walls and under staircases. It's also a good idea to provide storage in both conditioned and unconditioned areas of the house.

GREEN POINTS

LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify. : under Home Size Adjustment: points are deducted or awarded based on a comparison with an "average" home.
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions. /ICC-700: Under Ch. 6 — Resource Efficiency:6 to 15 pts. progressively awarded for smaller homes.

The Not-So-Big House, Sarah Susanka, Taunton Press, 1998