Small Homes: The Right Size (The Shelter Library of Building Books)

• The average American home is 2,500 sq. ft.
• The tiny home averages 200-300 sq. ft.
• The small homes here are 400-1200 sq. ft. ― the middle ground ― not too big, not too small (à la Goldilocks).

Some are built with "natural materials," such as cob or straw, some with recycled wood or lumber milled on-site, some are old homes that have been remodeled, and many are designed and built from scratch by the owners. Many are in the country, some in small towns, and some in large cities.

It’s all in the hands.

The underlying theme with Shelter’s books, which cover an over-40-year span, is that you can create your own home with your own hands, using mostly natural materials.

And note: A computer can’t build your home for you. You still need a hammer (or nail gun), a saw ― and human hands.