The Bigger the Better.

Alongside Canada and the US, Australians live in the biggest houses in the world.  And we Aussies are estimated to have the largest square footage per person.  Wow!  

Of course, we are spoilt for space compared to many other countries.  We have large expanses of land that evidently facilitate large expanses of homes. 

Well, that should make us all pretty happy- Right?  Apparently, not so.   

In March this year, results for the largest survey to consider global mental health were released, and their results suggest otherwise.  The survey, known as the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), was designed by Sapien Labs to consider six aspects of overall well-being: mood and outlook, the social self, motivation, cognition, adaptability and resilience, and the mind-body connection.  

Australia’s average MHQ score is 54- Identified on the MHQ scale at the lower end of ‘managing’ and disturbingly close to ‘enduring’.  Lower even than other ‘big house’ countries like the US and Canada.  

Of course, our mental health is impacted by many factors, but I’d bet my bottom dollar that our homes, their size, design and everyday use, are absolutely a contributor. 

Big homes facilitate isolation and hinder easy connection.  

Smaller homes facilitate easy connection and prevent isolation.  

I’m not proposing our homes should resemble free-standing apartments, but we should consider the impact of size on wellness and connection when choosing to build or renovate.  Bigger might impress and boost your ego, but it won’t bring your family closer or promote wellness. 

When it comes to our homes, the bigger is not the better.  

Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was onto something with his iconic line- ‘Less is more’.  It seems appropriate in this context.