Did you know? More than 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions over a home’s 70-year lifespan happen during occupancy through electricity and fuel consumption. Reducing home size by just 50 percent can slash greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent!

The small homes in this post are teeny-tiny, but pack a lot of punch when it comes to architectural inspiration and sustainability practices. We’d totally live in one – would you?

photo courtesy of Wheelhaus

“The Wedge” by Wheelhaus: Rustic inspiration meets modern design in this 400-square-foot, one-bedroom cabin on wheels. It’s got plenty of natural light, a private deck and even a mini fireplace! And, thanks to the company’s energy-efficient and sustainable building practices, the home exceeds the Gold standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

This teeny-tiny off-the-grid home in D.C.: Apartment Therapy featured this small home in its annual “Small Cool” contest last year and it’s easy to see why – the owner fit a built-in office, solar power equipment, and a living room and kitchen into only 210 square feet. It’s sleek and functional, maximizing space with versatile furniture like a couch that doubles as table seating.

photo courtesy of Maine Home

An Off-the-Grid Floating Home in Maine: Not a bad spot for a summer getaway, huh? The 240-square-foot small home floats on Perry Creek and was built by a husband-wife duo that rides a boat to work in the morning. It took 10 years to build the off-the-grid abode, which has a living room, kitchen and lofted sleeping space.

Small homes are a great way to lower your carbon footprint, but any neighborhood can minimize their environmental impact. Here’s how.

Sources

opb.org