Explaining why Americans desire larger homes

Here are several possible explanations for why Americans want bigger houses:





With these four factors – the status of a larger house, the American Dream, more disposable income and more stuff, and finding more happiness – perhaps we could argue that it requires some effort for Americans to live in a smaller place. It is not impossible to do so and certain factors, such as living in an expensive metropolitan area like New York City or San Francisco, can override the cultural conditioning to have a larger house. But, the American inertia may just be to have a larger dwelling.

We could also add some additional factors leading to larger homes in the United States:

  1. Suburban sprawl leads to more room for larger homes.
  2. Americans privilege private spaces over public spaces.
  3. Over the decades, the government and other actors helped make it easier for more people to own homes.
  4. Americans don’t necessarily need the space but they like the flexibility that more room provides such as having a hobby room or having children, parents, and/or relatives live with them.

4 thoughts on “Explaining why Americans desire larger homes

  1. Pingback: Americans can spend a majority of their time in a few spaces in their home and still want large homes | Legally Sociable

  2. Pingback: Shrinking new homes, fewer McMansions in Australia | Legally Sociable

  3. Pingback: Counterarguments to the claim that people should not waste money on a big house | Legally Sociable


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