Think Wellness Homes Are Out of Reach?
Think Again.
Building smaller and simpler, focusing only on what we needed while creating a home that is efficient, healthy, and comfortable for our family.
After leaving our wellness home in Colorado for a nature-centric life in rural Vermont, we quickly realized that while a sprawling estate was idyllic, it also felt excessive. With so much time spent outdoors, many spaces in our home went unused, expenses felt high, and sleep didn’t come easy knowing our indoor air quality was less than ideal. We felt the pull to return to an affordable, sustainable home—one designed intentionally for how we truly live.
Our strategy: build smaller and simpler, focusing only on what we needed while creating a home that is efficient, healthy, and comfortable for our family. Two months into living in our new home, here’s what we’ve learned:
Smart, Simple Design Saves Money
A smaller home doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort—it means optimizing space. Smart layouts make a home feel larger than its square footage, and a simple rectangular shape reduces construction costs while improving energy efficiency. Instead of adding complexity with extra rooflines or unnecessary rooms, we focused on passive design strategies like window placement and orientation to naturally heat and cool the space. The result? A home that performs better while costing less to build and maintain.
a sustainable home Leads to Freedom
Owning less means managing less. While we will likely not live in 1,000 square feet forever, downsizing from 3,000 square feet forced us to be intentional with our space and belongings, and the mental clarity that comes with it is undeniable. With a smaller sustainable home comes less maintenance, lower utility bills, and more time spent doing what truly matters—adventuring outdoors as a family.
A Smaller Home Strengthens Family Connections
Our kids now share a room, and instead of being spread across a large house, we naturally spend more time together. Cozy, well-designed spaces encourage connection, laughter, and togetherness—things a bigger house doesn’t necessarily provide.
The Takeaway:
Wellness Living is Within Reach
Sustainability and affordability can go hand in hand. Instead of focusing on expensive interior features and opting for a minimalist design, we prioritized airtight construction, good ventilation, and smart insulation choices to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Small upgrades—like heating with a full combustion wood burning stove—enhanced the comfort of our home while also reducing energy costs.
Wellness homes aren’t just for a select few. With thoughtful, minimalist design solutions and a shift in mindset, they can be accessible, efficient, and life-changing. Sometimes, less really is more.
Have any thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or contact us here.