More Not So Big Solutions for Your Home

by Sarah Susanka

Readers simply cannot get enough of Sarah Susanka. Homeowners are certain to embrace this new collection of articles by the best-selling author and visionary residential architect who sparked a movement toward “better, not bigger” homes. Practical solutions abound in this creative reference – everything from how to use color and unify an interior with trim to finding space for an “away room” and designing a laundry room that works. Susanka poses – and clearly answers – such questions as “How much space do you really need?” and “Where does the garage belong?” Written in her engaging conversational style and illustrated with her own inviting sketches, this collection of attainable home improvements is a valuable addition to any smart and thoughtful homeowner’s library.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sarah Susanka is a bestselling author, architect, and cultural visionary. Her "build better, not bigger" approach to residential architecture has been embraced across the country, and her "Not So Big" philosophy has sparked an international dialogue, evolving beyond our houses and into how we inhabit our lives. In addition to sharing her insights with Oprah Winfrey and Charlie Rose, Susanka has been named a "Fast 50" innovator by Fast Company, a "top newsmaker" by Newsweek, an "innovator in American culture" by U.S.News & World Report, and is this year's recipient of the Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award for "outstanding individual achievement, a spirit of initiative, and work that exemplifies great dedication toward making positive contributions to our world."

Sarah is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, and a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. The author of seven books, Susanka resides in North Carolina.

Reviews

[C.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've looked through a couple of Sarah's books now and find they are still way to big/elaborate for what we're building (a 1250SF infill on a very tiny lot) but this one was extremely helpful with so much practical information. Probably the most helpful home design book I've read to date even though it is slightly outdated- focusing on more function than looking good. Highly recommend to anyone still in the design phase!

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this and a few of Susanka’s others from the library and wound up reading this first. It certainly seems to build on ideas from the previous book, but stands alone just fine. More geared toward major renos or new builds than small suggestions, but I still came away with a few new nuggets of wisdom, and I really appreciate the philosophical tenets she writes about.

[Brian Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was still enjoyable and contained some good ideas, too much of this felt like rehashing some of the ideas in the first volume for me to praise it as highly. if you can get it from the library certainly read it, but the first collection of articles is by far superior.

[Maggie Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Sarah Susanka's other Not So Big Houses and enjoyed them. We are in the "thinking about" phase of building our retirement home and I know I do not want a big house. This is good food for thought.

[Tonya Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the great ideas and visuals. I feel some of it i can do on my own while other changes look scary for me but better for a contractor. But the price for them could be scary. Supplied a list of people in the back of the book that associated with each design and house.

[Elijah]

Eh. I love this series, but this one is just okay. Feels like a deleted scene on a dvd.

[Tally Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say as someone who is currently exploring the options of building, reading this book answered over half the questions I had about building a house with great lighting, the correct amount of space, and the best open floor plans. I reviewed this book from netgalley.com and when it comes time to seriously sit down and sketch out the home plans and my wish list, this book will be in my hand,opened, and sticky noted to the extreme for great ideas!

I really liked the little extra insights this book had to offer about things I never would have thought about when building my dream home. The advice about the garage and creating a space uniquely you was a definite bonus and thinking point for anyone wanting to create a personal space that is also a home.

[Erika RS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fine sequel to the original Not So Big Solutions for Your Home . Like that book, this book contains reprinted magazine articles, each of which discusses a different issue. As with that book, if the issues discussed are relevant to you, you will likely find the book interesting. Otherwise, you will not. Study the table of contents.

More Not So Big Solutions has a fair amount of overlap with the first book. When the books covered the same issues, they tended to cover the same material. As such, if a topic of interest to you is in both books, you will get the most bang for your buck by just reading one of the treatments.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly liked this book, filled with ideas on how to make your small house seem big. I think my house is rather too small to implement most of these ideas, but I will definitely keep this book in mind when I move out of my starter home (or make enough money to add on, haha). I'd like to check out other books by this author, if this book is any indication of their quality. The illustrations are well done, and the photography and diagrams are superb. If you have the wherewithal to do some renovation or are luckily able to build a house to spec, you should take a look at this book.

I received this as a digital ARC from Netgalley.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own a modest size home and I found this book loaded with great design ideas. It brings architectural concepts down to the level of the typical homeowner. It also includes photographs, schematics, and drawings which capture the essence of what the author is describing. It's easy to see that this book was written by an architect, because the attention to detail in explaining and drawing the design ideas is excellent. If someone is looking to spruce up their "modest" size home, this book is worth a read.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susanka writes about home design as an architect deeply interested in making homes work for the people who live in them. Her big idea is that more space doesn't necessarily make a place more pleasant to live in. Here, in a series of articles originally published in magazines, she explores specific aspects of design that make houses function better while also making them more attractive. Specific topics addressed include: what to to with too-tall ceilings in your McMansion, where to put the laundry room, column scale indoors and out, all kinds of cool stuff.

Library copy.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few okay solutions--my favorite being having french doors divide the media room from the rest of the house so that sound is not an issue, but there is still a sense of connection with the rest of the home, as well as the ability to monitor media choices without too much intrusion.

Intended audience is likely wealthy home builders, not people like me simply wanting to cram as much family as possible into the smallest home we can get away with buying.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great volume of helpful hints/suggestions/illustrations for Susanka's Not So Big House movement. This volume is set up in a series of articles, which is easy to pick and choose some of the themes that you might need help with.

[sleeps9hours · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first of the Not So Big series, loved it! Great to start to learn how to look at a home in terms of the space needed for certain activities and how to fit them into the existing space by opening up, repurposing, and making thoughtful modifications to a space.

[kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked it, even though my home is smaller than what she considers a "not so big" home. i find that it would be difficult to implement some of her ideas without major monetary investment.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think she covers everything in her first book

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually has real suggestions and guidelines to help you achieve some of the solutions presented. Makes it worthwhile.

[Alyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's got some good points, for anyone thinking about design/remodeling/building. Most I knew already. But I appreciate her details on bench/booth dimensions.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I revisit this book every time I start thinking of renovating something in my small home.

[Keishua · Rating 2 out of 5]

some part of this book are really helpful.

[Oona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also very helpful!