Capturing rainwater is generally encouraged and often the installation of such a system is even rewarded with tax breaks; however, check your local codes and regulations to ensure that your reuse of rainwater is within the law.

When it rains, the rain travels from your roof into your gutter; from there it is channeled into the down spout until it runs off in an underground municipal maze. So why let all that water go to waste when you could use it for irrigation, washing laundry, flushing the toilet, showering and even drinking?

A very good way to reuse rainwater is for watering your plants for a lush, evergreen rain garden. Install a infiltration basin or swale 10 feet from your house which will receive rainwater form downspouts and percolate from the swale into the groundwater below. Make sure the soil drains well. To conceal the basins you could grow plants that tolerate large quantities of water.

To water houseplants, rain barrels are an excellent option. Barrels made from recycled food-grade plastic or even old wine barrels are ideal and can hold up to 60 gallons of captured rainwater. These barrels should have an intake line, spigot, overflow attachment, screen cover to keep out leaves, and removable solid cover. It is also important to remove the solid cover an hour or two after rainfall has washed pollen and other pollutants off the roof to ensure the rainwater is pure. A more expensive alternative to barrels are cisterns which collect rainwater from the downspouts. When the tanks are full, the water travels through a gravity-fed drip system to irrigate crops.

You can easily reduce the environmental footprint of your small house by finding the right system to capture and reuse rainwater. Carefully consider what your uses will be, how much space you will need and what your budget is. Your garden will always be in full bloom at no extra cost to you.

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Capturing and Reusing Rainwater

How much space do we really need?

Oversized homes use more energy, therefore generating higher monthly bills and are otherwise more costly to upkeep than smaller homes. You may be surprised to find out that many of your spaces are underutilized. They probably could be easily eliminated without you having to make any sacrifices. If anything, a more affordable, small home can bestow a sense of liberation upon you.

You can test your need for actual space by closing off extra bedrooms and bathrooms for a while and see how this impacts your use of the space. It may take a little while to get used to it but just because you follow an old habit doesn’t mean it’s an effective one. Go through your stuff: all the papers you have neatly stored in filing cabinets, old bank statements, bills and other kind of paperwork could probably be all digitized and stored on a hard drive; and when is the last time you wore that sweater? Go through your closet and make a realistic assessment of what you actually use in there. If you are scared of throwing something out or donating it, put it in storage for a few months to see if you really need it. If it sits in storage the entire time, chances are, you won’t miss it in the future. You will have freed up so much space you won’t know what to do with all the newly won extra space.

Depending on where you live, you could consider using a car share service instead of owning your own car. This may not be practical outside of urban centers, though it would save you building a garage and also a lot of money associated with the cost of owning a car.

Lastly, think about using spaces for multiple uses. A guestroom can easily function as an office during most of the year and be converted to a welcoming place to stay for your guests that one time of the year they come visit. Built in storage options could lower the need for a full dining room by adding bench seating, an office can be tucked into a closet or under the stairs to make use of wasted space.

Living with less space is foremost a lifestyle consideration. If you feel that the big house, as convenient as it may seem, wastes too much you are probably right. You will love the conveniences of a well designed small house plan that much more. More than that, your wallet will love the much lighter financial load of a downsized home.

Photo by JenaPhillips

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Downsizing Before Moving into a Small House

Fly Ash Pavers and Brick by CalStar Products are a good-looking and greener alternative to fired clay brick. Fly Ash Brick and Pavers reduce the high carbon footprint of unit paving by approximately 90% versus fired clay brick or pavers and 80% versus concrete pavers. Both products are made from up to 40% pre-consumer recycled content, including Class A fly ash. Both are manufactured with greatly reduced energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions.

These bricks and pavers will be an attractive addition to your home while you can feel good about doing good. Creating a beautiful outdoor space is also a great way to expand living room in a small home plan.

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Eco Friendly Friday: Fly Ash Pavers and Bricks

Unlike conventional water heaters which constantly heat water stored in a tank and will run out of hot water when usage is higher than the stored hot water, tankless water heaters do not store water but heat water as it runs through the pipe, therefore eliminating dreaded situations of unexpected cold water pouring over you in the shower.

Tankless heaters heat the water with a heat exchanger, similar to heat exchangers in refrigerators or air conditioners. The exchanger is activated when you turn on your hot water tap by the incoming flow of water. It then circulates through the activated exchanger to deliver your hot water. Tankless heaters can either be electric or gas-powered, natural or propane. They also come in different sizes – a point of use system, usually electrically powered, is small and only heats water for up to two outlets. Point of use systems can easily fit under a vanity or kitchen sink close to the sink, therefore avoiding water loss by reducing the time it takes for the water to reach the faucet, also known as lag time. The larger system, whole-house heaters, typically gas-powered, is more expensive but provides hot water for all outlets.

The advantages of a tankless water heating system are obvious: you never run out of hot water, you save money and energy by not continually heating the water in your tank, your basement will never be flooded from leaking or ruptured tanks, the system lasts longer than a tank, the government rewards you with a tax break, and you save space by not having a giant tank in your basement which is especially important in a small home plan. However, the initial cost of installing this system is more expensive, but it is essential to consider life-cycle cost savings which can make your initial investment pay for itself.

If you are designing a new home to run more efficiently, it would be worth to think about choosing a tankless system instead of the standard water heater. The party of ten you invited for the long holiday weekend to stay at your house will thank you for it, and so will your budget.

Photo by Moosicorn

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Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

1. De-clutter: Excessive “stuff” can take away from natural light and physical space. Do not hoard things you do not need. You will have less things to dust off so your home will always feel clean and spacious.

2. Light Wall Paint: Small spaces with limited natural light benefit from light wall paints. It doesn’t necessarily need to be shades of white; there is a very large variety of paint colors to choose from. Whether you like warm red tones or cool blue tones, be sure to stay in the less saturated color range of your favorite hue.

3. Natural Wood Furnishings: A beaming maple hardwood floor or even something as simple as a natural wood bench by the window can draw the eye and emphasize the unique features of your space.

4. Lighting: A well lit space is key. Choosing the right lighting however can be a daunting task. From energy saving bulbs to halogen and more recently LED lights the options seem endless. Be sure to buy from professionals in the field who can assist you make the right choices.

5. Less is more: Do not over-decorate. Too many fabrics, pillows, colors or pictures can make your space feel cluttered and full. A few carefully selected well-framed pictures combined with subtle fabrics and furnishings will not overpower your space but really make it stand out.

Start with these simple steps to make your home feel inviting and spacious. If you need more help to get your home organized it is advisable to work with a professional who specializes in custom home designs.

Design can make a real difference in the way your home feels. Be sure to work with somebody who understands your aesthetic and needs. From customizing closet space to reconfiguring walls in your home, a seasoned professional can help you to really feel at home.

Photo by DeathWaves

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5 Tips to Make Your Small Home Feel Larger

To reach our goals of serving the growing needs of families that wish to downsize and live in a home that conserves energy, we will begin accepting house plans from other designers and architects. By combining our marketing knowledge with other designers desire to reach this market segment we hope to reach more families in 2010 and beyond. Architects and designers that want to venture into stock house plans and small house designs can do so without risking their core design business and almost zero overhead as 5 Elements Design deals with customer service, marketing, website updates and more.

Designers and architects that are interested in learning more can contact Misty at 1-800-489-8197 or contact@esmallhouseplans.com

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ESmallHousePlans.com Now Accepting New Designers

I went through a five-year program for Architecture in Cal Poly, Pomona. During these years, I practically lived in my studio. In fact, all my classmates practically did. In order to meet deadlines one after another, we took turns taking a twenty-minute “power nap” on dusty, sawdust-infested, secondhand sofas or a mattress under our drafting tables. I still remember my roommates coming to my studio and surprising me with dinner, my boyfriend at the time (now my husband) attending my family holiday events for me, bringing me leftovers afterward. My life in college was Architecture… It was both my energy, and tiredness, night and day, non stop! I graduated with a degree in Architecture, but found myself practicing Feng Shui just a few years later. You might be asking “What does Feng Shui have to do with Architecture?”

Well, my answer is, “It has everything to do with it.” For me, personally, I believe Architecture and Feng Shui co-exist. My design language has always been from the user’s point of view. I like to narrate my design with how a user would walk through each of the rooms or space. In order to create a space that narrates a good story, the materials, the furniture, the color, the textures and all other elements need to be in Harmony and Balance with each other.

So, how is Harmony and Balance between elements achieved in Architecture or Design? This is when Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese Art and Philosophy play an essential and vital part. Feng Shui works with all five elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. These elements create the composition of our homes, buildings and all spaces. There are different ways the elements may be arranged or placed in order. Let us focus on 3 cycles that certain order of elements can demonstrate. The Consumption cycle, Destruction/Controlling cycle and the Creating/Nourishing cycle.

For the Consumption cycle, the order of elements goes as such: Fire consumes wood. Wood consumes water. Water consumes metal. Metal consumes earth. And Earth consumes fire. Another similar negative cycle is the Destruction or controlling cycle, in which the element destroys another element. They are exhibited in this fashion: Fire destroys wood. Wood destroys (draws nutrient from) earth. Earth destroys water. Water destroys fire. Fire destroys metal. Needless to say, these two cycles are best avoided in your home, work or any space.

There is however the Creative or Nourishing cycle. This cycle exhibits the most beneficial form and arrangement between the elements in your space. Creative cycle is arranged in this order: Fire creates earth. Earth creates metal. Metal creates water. Water creates wood and wood creates what? Yes, Fire, which would then complete the Creative or Nourishing cycle.

So, “What does Feng Shui have to do with Architecture?” I believe when any space is arranged with these cycles in mind, knowing that each of the elements plays a key role and carries within itself a negative or positive energy, then Feng Shui and Architecture co-exist.

Now, as any other form of co-existing, Architecture and Feng Shui also have their share of challenges. For example, as a designer, I need to express my concepts in certain ways to remain true to my excitement and imagination by experimenting with various combinations of materials, colors, and shapes. Ultimately, the goal is to create a space where these elements can benefit each other in a nourishing way and to marry my client’s vision with my own as their designer and Feng Shui consultant. These situations at times have had me and my client going in circles for solutions and weighing how it can all be in good rhythm with each other. However, in all my experiences I’ve found that a beautiful solution and balanced composition is always created when combining Architecture philosophy with ancient Feng Shui philosophy. Architecture and Feng Shui co-existing together with good intent from the designer and client can always bring the Balance and Harmony in any space.

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Feng Shui and Architecture

A Trombe wall is another option for collecting the sun’s heat in a new home. A Trombe wall is built from stone, concrete, metal or other material that acts as a thermal mass that collects heat during the day and releases it slowly into the house.

Built on a south facing wall, modern Trombe walls have an insulated glazing, air space, and vents to more effectively capture heat and release it into the home rather than releasing it back to the outside environment. Trombe walls can also be built as an interior wall to further eliminate releasing heat to the ouside. Vents can be closed during the summer when the home doesn’t need to be heated by the Trombe wall, and an overhang can be designed so the summer sun doesn’t hit the Trombe wall to avoid overheating the home an increasing cooling costs.

Benefits of a Trombe Wall

Easy Construction – A Trombe wall can be created from very easy, inexpensive materials to work with such as concrete or masonry and glazed glass. There are no complicated parts or machinery needed.

No Maintenance - Since there are no parts to replace, there is virtually no maintenance or future repair costs unlike a traditional furnace or solar panels.

Comfortable Heat – Much like radiant floor heat, heat from a Trombe wall penetrates more evenly than traditional forced air, making the home feel more comfortable continuously.

Lower Energy Costs – A trombe wall can lower utility bills, or even eliminate the need for a furnace altogether.

Picture by Montana Green Power

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Lower Energy Bills with a Trombe Wall

Closets - The largest impact can often happen in the closet. The old days of one simple shelf and one bar for hanging clothes are long gone. Built in closet systems can be designed to fit your clothing and accessories so there is no wasted space and everything is organized.

Stairs - Stairs can take up a large portion of a room, and while there are alternatives such as spiral staircases or cantilevered stairs to minimize the space, convenience and safety sometimes demand a standard staircase. The area under the stairs can be used in many different ways including as a bookcase as seen above, a built in desk area, storage or coat closet, display shelves, pantry or other built in. Get even more creative and design the stairs to hold CD’s and books under each step, or create drawers that open by flipping the step tread up.

Furniture - When you are designing a small house plan, there may not be many places you can place furniture in a room, so it can be beneficial to build the furniture into the house in order to take advantage of storage areas. For instance, building a custom bed with storage underneath can save space that would otherwise be taken up with a dresser, and the space under the bed is no longer wasted. Dining areas are another good choice. Built in benches can be comfortable, save space and provide storage under the seats.

Photo by StairPorn

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Built Ins Add Space to Small Homes

Lot - Take a look at your lot from every angle to find the best views and the private areas you want to designate for areas of your home where you might not want others to be able to see into. Can you take advantage of passive heating with a southern exposure? Will anything be built around you in the future that might affect your views? Are there eco features you can implement on your lot to lower your energy costs such as geothermal heating, solar panels, or building part of your home in the earth? Are there ways to minimize the disturbance of the earth while building?

Floor Plan - You probably know off the top of your head how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want, but start thinking about how you use space so your floor plan can function well. Do you want bedrooms in one area with laundry centrally located, or you do you want the master bedroom to be away from the other bedrooms? Do you want an island or do you work better in a kitchen with everything in one line? Write down everything you’ve hated about previous homes and everything you’ve loved. Think about the small things like placement of outlets that are often frustrating, or light switches. If you have small children, how will they use space differently as they age? Think about storage and where clutter usually collects, and design areas that deal with these issues.

Materials - Choosing wood vs carpet, granite vs concrete, and vinyl siding vs stone, will of course have to do with personal choice and budget considerations. Thinking about new products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly from paint and caulk, to the large items like flooring, can have a big impact on the air quality in your home. Planning to use new building systems like SIPs can also impact your energy bills, so it can pay off to discuss these options with your architect.

Details - The best part about designing a custom home is that you get to start from scratch, so you can include the little details that make a house a home to you. Built in bookshelves, cubbies to show off your glass vase collection, a tile back-splash made from the antique tiles you picked up in Mexico, a double shower, these details mark the home as yours.

Writing down all of your ideas, adding photos from magazines that show what you want, and taking photos of your lot to pinpoint views can help your architect define your home design to capture your feelings more accurately.

Photo by Gin Grl

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Creating Your Custom Home Design